Wildcats selected to finish second in preseason poll
MIKE MAYNARD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 4 months, 1 week AGO
The Central Washington Wildcats football team were selected to finish second in the Lone Star Conference’s 2025 preseason poll. The Wildcats have finished in the top three of the conference in their first three seasons as a member.
COURTESY GRAPHIC/CWU ATHLETICS
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
ARTICLES BY MIKE MAYNARD
Wahluke falls to Tri-Cities in home opener
MATTAWA — The Wahluke Warriors (0-1) were defeated 46-24 in their home opener by the Tri-Cities Prep Jaguars. Despite the loss, Head Coach Makai Hirai said he was proud of the effort his players gave on the court. “That was the biggest thing that I took away is we had a lot of effort. We have a lot of girls who are hungry, and the coaches were excited about (that). Our girls look pretty motivated ... they’re working hard,” Hirai said. The Jaguars started fast and held the lead the entire game. Tri-Cities Prep put up double-digit scores in each quarter except for the third. The Warriors finished strong with 10 points in the fourth quarter, but the Jaguars came out victorious.
From overtime thriller to championship stage
The Knights meet Cashmere once again
ROYAL CITY — On Friday, the No. 1 seed Royal Knights (12-0) will travel to Husky Stadium to play the No. 2 seed Cashmere Bulldogs (11-1) in the 1A state championship game. The Knights Head Coach Wiley Allred was not surprised to see the Bulldogs reach the state championship game. “I was hoping there wasn't a team better than them, because that's a pretty tough team right there. We'll meet our match,” Allred said. When these two met in October, it was the Knights pulling off a late comeback to win 21-15 in overtime. Coming into that game, both teams were undefeated. The Knights had only allowed seven points all season, while the Bulldogs had not allowed a score by any team.
Warriors fall short in home opener
MATTAWA — The Wahluke Warriors (0-1) were defeated 67-43 by the Tri-Cities Prep Jaguars Tuesday in their return to the hardwood. Wahluke Head Coach Anfernee Cortez said some of the loss may be attributed to first-game jitters. “We started too flat and just kind of dug ourselves into a hole early. Against a team like Tri-Cities Prep, it’s tough to catch up at that point,” Cortez said. A slow start by the Warriors allowed Tri-Cities Prep to take hold of the momentum early and build a commanding lead. In the first half, the Warriors struggled to knock down shots and attack the rim. The Jaguars carried their momentum into the second half to run away with the game. Wahluke had a stronger second-half showing, but Cortez said it was not enough to get back in the game.