Conq. football ready to kickoff the '25 season

After a strong first season under the guidance of Head Coach Ryan Lusby, the Dodge City football team is eager to get the 2025 season underway and challenge for a top spot in the Jayhawk Conference and nationally. The 2024 season saw the Conquistadors finish 6-4 and ranked #15 in the final NJCAA poll. The Conqs look to build upon this success and compete at a high level in 2025. The 2025 schedule is stacked yet again as the schedule is flipped between road and home games from last year. The Conqs open the season on the road against #9 Tyler on Saturday, August 23rd at 7:00 pm in Texas as they will be one of the first NJCAA teams to get the 2025 season underway. After opening the season early, the Conqs will have a two-week break before getting back on the gridiron in their first KJCCC contest of the season against rival #7 Garden City on Saturday, September 13th, on the road. Conqs will have their first home game of the season on Saturday, September 20th, when they host the NJCAA runner-up from last season, #2 Iowa Western, at 11:00 am. Conqs will also get Highland, Coffeyville, #13 Butler, and the defending NJCAA champions, #1 Hutchinson at home, along with having road trips to Independence, Ellsworth, and #15 Iowa Central to round out the schedule. Heading into the season, the defensive side of the ball is where most of the Conqs' experience returns, with seven players back that played a role last year. Despite seeing several top playmakers move on at the linebacker position, the Conqs have Lovell Vereen and Loden West both returning, along with Anthony Mattison, who will make the move to defensive back. Veereen recorded 10 tackles last season while West had 13, and Mattison is the team's top returning tackler after making 36 tackles his freshman season with 5.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. After sending multiple defensive backs to the NCAA Division I level last season, Jamari Mosley is back and ready to show why he will add his name to that list as he looks to lock down opponents after recording 26 tackles with an interception and forced fumble last year. Look for transfers Nate Gunderson (Peru State College) and Jahzion Harris (Texas A&M) to make an impact at linebacker, while Qualan Perry and Aidan Miller return after a redshirt season and will be a factor in the secondary along with several other newcomers. In the trenches on defense, the Conqs have multiple returns along with some fresh faces that will look to wreak havoc on the opposition. Jowhar Franklin is back after a strong freshman season in which he had 19 tackles and was a force inside plugging the middle; the sophomore enters the season already with several top tier DI offers, including Iowa State, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Memphis. Also returning for the Conqs is the top guy in sacks on the team last season is Colby Archie, who tallied 21 tackles playing in all 10 games last year, finishing with 4.5 sacks, as he will look to force his way into the backfield again. Markus Lewis returns after seeing action as a freshman last season, while redshirt freshman Tristen Graham (Akron transfer), Micah Williams (Tennessee State transfer) and Tristan Pitts both look to fill big roles, along with sophomore transfer, AJ Vaughns, who looks to help the Conqs have a stout line upfront. Offensively, the Conqs look to make some improvements from last season and have reloaded in many ways, as only one player returns with playing experience from last season. That one return is a big one as Derick Shanks Jr. is back at runningback after rushing for 225 yards on 64 carries with a pair of touchdowns as a freshman. Guys like redshirt freshman Ian Andalon-Silva and sophomore transfer Joshua Taylor give the Conqs some strong playmaking ability out of the backfield, along with multiple other guys that can possibly factor into the mix. The signal-caller spot will be different for the Conqs, but a familiar face will be there to help lead the charge as Braxton Clark returns after a redshirt season and has a strong grasp on the offense. Navy transfer, Myles Slade, along with Edwin Merrriweather III, who transfers from Coahoma CC, both look to factor into the quarterback spot, giving the Conqs options in several ways. At the skill position, wideout, the Conqs will have all new playmakers, but multiple guys that came in last spring and have learned the system. A pair of DI transfers look to help lead the way at receiver as Santana Fleming (Western Carolina) and Mahki Whitney (Washington State) give the Conqs two different styles of dynamic pass catchers. Look for Krishon Lett and David Ramos alongside several in-state athletes to work into the mix, including returner Nick Ahles at the receiver position. At tight end, Carson Spoonts makes the move to offense after seeing action last season on special teams and on defense, while Jack Clifford transfers in from Ouachita Baptist, and Zachery Duarte will also factor into the equation. Up front on offense, the Conqs had some solid play last year but lacked depth and were depleted at times in the trenches. This season the Conqs head into the year with depth first and foremost along the offensive line and bring in some transfers along with strong incoming freshman class. Avery Ferris will look to hold down a spot as he transfers in from Mercer, while Dalton Davis and Alejandro Arnaiz also bring some experience for the Conqs, both having seen action at the NJCAA level. Jonah Bossette (St. Amborse) is another transfer that will be a factor up front, while several freshmen will work into the mix. Conqs kick off the season Saturday, August 23rd, on the road against #9 Tyler in Texas at 7:00 pm.