ELLENSBURG – On Thursday, the Central Washington Wildcats were selected to finish second in the Lone Star Conference, according to a statement by CWU athletics. The 2025 preseason poll also indicated the Wildcats received four first-place votes.  

“It's an honor that the schools in the LSC think that highly of us,” CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said.  

The Wildcats' selection reflects where they have finished in their first three seasons in the LSC, the statement said. They received a total of 257 points to earn their second-place selection just behind defending champions, the Angelo State Rams.  

ASU accumulated 292 points and 23 first-place votes. Following the Wildcats is UT Permian Basin with 229 points and two first-place votes followed by Texas A&M-Kingsville with 211 points and one first-place vote. Western Oregon followed with 173 points with West Texas A&M (157 points), Midwestern State (139 points), Eastern New Mexico (88 points), Western New Mexico (53 points), and Sul Ross State (51 points) rounding out the poll. 

According to CWU’s statement, offensive lineman, Slade Edwards, who was a LSC Academic All-American as well as a member of the D2Football.com Elite 100, named a Don Hansen All-American, was named a member of the Super Region 4 team, and was named the LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year.  

He's served as a staple of the offensive line the past few seasons helping the 'Cats have one of the top rushing attacks in NCAA Division II as the crimson and black finished with 3,090 total yards on the ground in 2024.  

Defensive back Chase Coalson was tabbed Honorable Mention All-LSC after a breakthrough season last season accumulating 49 total tackles, five tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and one deflected pass. 

According to a statement by the LSC, the Wildcats finished 8-4 overall last season and 7-2 in league competition. In the last two seasons, the Wildcats have reached the NCAA postseason Heritage Bowl.  

“We've been consistently in the top three of the LSC every year, and in the end, it doesn't mean anything. We're just excited to start getting ready for fall camp and facing Colorado Mesa. We're excited to get at it and chase a Lone Star Conference championship,” Fisk said.  

According to the LSC, the preseason poll was voted on by LSC head coaches, sports information directors and media members.  

The Wildcats will begin the 2025 season with the return of the Rodeo Bowl on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m., welcoming the Colorado Mesa Mavericks, who make their first appearance back in Ellensburg since 2008.   

2025 LSC Football Preseason Poll

Team                                               1st          Total 

Angelo State                                      23            292
Central Washington 4 257
UT Permian Basin 2 229
Texas A&M-Kingsville 1 211
Western Oregon 173
West Texas A&M 157
Midwestern State 139
Eastern New Mexico 88
Western New Mexico 53
Sul Ross State                                                  51 

Preseason Offensive Players to Watch
Name School Yr. Pos.
Braeden Fuller Angelo State Jr. QB
Slade Edwards Central Washington Sr. OL
Jarius Stewart Eastern New Mexico Jr. RB
Demonte Green Midwestern State So. WR
Trayvon Young Sul Ross State Jr. OL
Jack Turner Texas A&M-Kingsville Sr. QB
Kory Harris UT Permian Basin Sr. RB
Kanyon Ives West Texas A&M Jr. OL
Deuce Zimmerman Western New Mexico Jr. WR
Kainoa Jones Western Oregon Sr. QB

Preseason Defensive Players to Watch
Name School Yr. Pos.
Owen Seaver Angelo State Sr. DE
Chase Coalson Central Washington Sr. DB
Matthew Quartieri Eastern New Mexico Jr. LB
Kam'rin Devault Midwestern State Sr. DE
Brendon Martin Sul Ross State Sr. DB
D'Cambren Verrett Texas A&M-Kingsville Jr. DB
Tristan Exline UT Permian Basin Jr. LB
Cam Manahan West Texas A&MT Jr. CB
Cole Lalama Western New Mexico Jr. LB
Malcolm Liufau Western Oregon Sr. LB