Kentucky Wesleyan posted their first winning season since 1999, although only two of those contests were against D2 competition (loss to Kentucky State, win over Limestone). You have to start somewhere, however, and the Panthers bring back a lot of talent on both sides of the ball. Senior quarterback Dalton Oliver (59.1 percent completion, 3,510 yards, 35 TDs, 9 INTs) leads an offense with depth at several skill positions, starting with junior All-American wideout Keelan Cole (75 catches, 1,557 yards, 21 TDs) and senior Xavier Mitchell (63 catches, 1,152 yards, 9 TDs). Junior Myles Walker (113 carries, 511 yards, 2 TDs) is the Panthers’ leading returning rusher, with junior Ahmad Mitchell (81 carries, 282 yards, 1 TD) expected to rotate in; four of five starting linemen also return. Defensively, the Panthers are stacked across the board, with the entire defensive line, led by senior defensive end Micah Crutcher (9 TFLs, 5.5 sacks) and sophomore defensive end Royshawn Beason (4 TFLs). Senior Cody Mills (13 TFLs, 5.5 sacks) and junior Vasco Billberry (7.5 TFLs, 2.5 sacks) anchor the linebacker corps with sophomore Cody Chaffin expected to contend for a starting spot; Chaffin started the first two games last season before suffered a season ending injury. Senior safety Tyler Hermann (7 INTs, 3.5 sacks) headlines a deep Kentucky Wesleyan secondary. Senior safety Yorell Branch started the last five games last season, recording three interceptions, while junior cornerback Cole Woodburn (4 INTs) saw significant time last season as a reserve. [divider]

With a lot of growing pains last season, their first as a varsity program, Limestone enters the first year of their scheduling alliance with the South Atlantic Conference. Although the Saints will not be eligible for a SAC football title, it at least stabilizes the scheduling situation for the next four season. With nearly an entire roster of underclassmen, youth will be well served this season, especially with those players gaining a lot of experience last season. Sophomore Matthew Harkness (62-for-104, 536 yards, 1 TD, 4 INTs) returns after appearing in the first four games last season, however, Jonathan Clark is projected as the starter heading into the season. Daitwain Commodore (44 carries, 202 yards, 1 TD) is the Saints’ leading returning rusher, while sophomore D’Anta Fleming (32 catches, 514 yards, 8 TDs) and sophomore Vyncint Smith (28 catches, 395 yards) headline the returning receivers. Four of five starting linemen from last season are also projected to return. Most of Limestone’s defense is set to returns, with strong depth up front. Sophomore defensive ends Rodrea Brown (10 TFL, 5 sacks) and Mason Dadian (3.5 TFLs) anchor the defensive line, while Evan Patrick (8 TFLs) and Justin Rogers (3 TFLs) solidify the linebackers. A pair of sophomores, safety Titus Williams (4 INTs) and cornerback Joshua Simmons (4 INTs, 3 TFLs) will be key components of the Saints secondary this season. [divider]

As Oklahoma Panhandle prepares for their final season as an independent before entering the grinder that is the Lone Star Conference, the Aggies look to build upon their first winning season under head coach Russell Gaskamp. And, the Aggies will have a lot of talent returning on both sides of the ball, with 40 upperclassmen, the most in the program to start the season in Gaskamp’s four seasons. The offense will be powered by senior running back Chris McClendon (173 carries, 1,173 yards, 9 TDs; 29 catches, 281 yards, 3 TDs), who returns as one of the Aggies’ top returning offensive threat. McClendon, however, will be working with a new quarterback as Caleb Holbrook, the school’s all time leader in passing yards, has graduated. Junior wideout Zacari Lavender (29 catches, 780 yards, 8 TDs). The Aggies scored 43.3 points last season. Eight defensive starters from last season are projected to return. Senior linebacker Tanner Hallford (18 TFLs, 7.5 sacks) anchors the defensive front seven, while senior defensive back Xazier Murry (4 INTs) headlines the returnees in the secondary. [divider]

It’s year three of football at Alderson-Broaddus, and with the Battlers two seasons away from conference affiliation, the program continues to grow, following up a 4-7 record in their inaugural season two years ago with a 7-4 mark last season. The Battlers return virtually all of their starters on offense from last season, led by junior quarterback Wilson Vaughn (61.2 percent completion, 2,460 yards, 23 TDs, 13 INTs). Vaughn will have a pair of top receivers returning in tight end junior Cooper Schroeder (51 catches, 669 yards, 7 TDs) and junior wideout Paris Person (25 catches, 308 yards, 2 TDs). All five starting linemen return for the Battlers, and they will be called upon to open holes for junior tailback Brandon Jones (285 carries, 1,475 yards, 19 TDs). Alderson-Broaddus returns eight starters on defense, with junior defensive ends Tanner Leach (4.5 TFLs) and Tyler Hargrove anchoring the defensive line, with sophomore Mike Wayne (12.5 TFLs, 6 sacks) expected to work his way into a starting spot. Junior rover Jeff Stephens (11 TFLs, 5.5 sacks) and junior linebacker Robby Hogue (3.5 TFLs, 2 sacks) lead the defensive middle, while junior Malcolm Lee (2 TFLs, 2 INTs) and junior safety Michael James (77 tackles, 5 INTs) solidify the secondary. [divider]

UNC-Pembroke suffered their first losing season since the program’s inaugural season in 2007. Head coach Shane Richardson had to figure that he’d have some big shoes to fill after Pete Shinnick left Pembroke to become head coach at West Florida, which begins play in the Gulf South Conference next season. The Braves will also have some big holes to fill on both sides of the ball. WIth last year’s starting quarterback Seth Owen not returning, eight players are in camp contending for the starting position this year. Junior Rontonio Stanley (89 carries, 270 yards) is Pembroke’s leading returning rusher, while junior B.J. Bunn (53 catches, 402 yards, 1 TD) and senior John Rich (22 catches, 216 yards, 2 TDs) lead the returning receivers. Only two starters from last season return for Pembroke, which could make for a long season. Junior defensive tackle Ed Hopper (2 TFLs, 1 sack) is the lone returnee on the Braves’ front seven, while senior safety Kendall Jacobs (2.5 TFL, 2 INTs) is the lone starter returning on Pembroke’s secondary. [divider]

North Greenville capped off last season with a win over Shorter in the NCCAA’s Victory Bowl. Heading into the 2015 season, however, the Crusaders have their sights set higher as they look for their first NCAA playoff bid since 2011. Senior Nelson Hughes (64 percent completion, 3,150 yards, 22 TDs, 10 INTs) returns for his third year as the starting quarterback. Senior Trey Walker (103 carries, 594 yards, 4 TDs) and junior Simeon Byrd (78 carries, 417 yards, 8 TDs) headline the Crusaders running game, junior wideout Robbie Brown (80 catches, 1,166 yards, 8 TDs) and senior tight end Ricki Delos-Santos (22 catches, 229 yards) are Hughes’ top returning targets. North Greenville’s defense brings back several experienced starters, though the Crusaders are working on building depth at the offensive line. Junior defensive end ShaQuan Burney (4.5 TFLs, 2 INTs) will be a key returnee on the defensive line after battling through injuries last season. Juniors Quan Weeks (128 tackles, 5.5 TFLs) and Sam Houston (110 tackles, 4.5 TFLs) lead a deep linebacker corps, along with senior Taylor Anderson (123 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2 INTs). Juniors Tony Godbolt (3 INTs) and Nigel Bay (3 INTs, 2 TFLs) anchor the Crusaders secondary. [divider]