RICHARDSON, Texas – 27 total Wildcats were honored with an All-Conference honor, the Lone Star Conference announced Thursday morning. Redshirt Junior Quarterback Kennedy McGill was named the J.W. Rollins Offensive Player of the Year as well as the Academic Player of the Year. Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Slade Edwards earned his second-straight Offensive Lineman of the Year. Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Tyler King was tabbed the Defensive Lineman of the Year. Lastly, Redshirt Freshman Defensive Mika Roberson earned the Defensive Freshman of the Year honor.
 
"We are extremely proud of the work these players have put into the program to add value and elevate our product," CWU Head Football Coach Chris Fisk said. "It is extremely gratifying to see them getting it done in the classroom as well as on the football field. I think all of these young men would be the first to tell you that these are team awards and could not happen without all of the great young men around them."
 
Kennedy McGill has had quite the season as a dual-threat quarterback, accumulating 1,379 passing yards, 17 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 98 complete passes out of 185 attempts. He also leads the ground attack for the 'Cats with 981 yards and 17 more touchdowns. He is the Lone Star Conference leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns this season. He also leads the conference in scoring with 102 total points accounted for for an average of 9.3 points per game.
 
Slade Edwards has once again been a backstop for the Wildcats offensive line this season as the crimson and black's center. He's started all 11 games this season, helping play a crucial role in the Wildcats offense that ranks fourth in NCAA Division II in scoring at 45.1 points per game, fifth in tackles for loss allowed at 3.27 allowed per game, 12th in sacks allowed with 0.91 allowed per game, and eighth in rushing offense at 276.5 rushing yards per game.
 
Tyler King nabs his first Lone Star Conference honor, having a heck of a sophomore campaign. He leads the LSC with 12 sacks this season, dropping teams back 104 total yards and is third in the LSC with 15 tackles for loss for a total of 109 yards. On top of his impressive ability to get into the backfield he's added 41 total tackles, eight quarterback hurries, and two forced fumbles.
 
Mika Roberson has made a major impact for the 'Cats this season both defensively and in the special teams. He's totaled 13 tackles this season, 10 solo and three assisted and has added seven pass breakups and a team-high four interceptions. He returned those four interceptions for 45 yards. He's also second in the LSC with 18 punt returns for 195 yards.
 
The First Team featured 13 Wildcats including McGill, Edwards, and King. Joining the trio is Jaxin McCallum, Tyler Luzan, Camden Loidhamer, Justice Taylor, David Weber, Mikaio Edward, Chase Loidhamer, Brett McCalla, Kuma Scanlan, and Chase Coalson.
 
McCallum and Luzan both played integral roles in the offensive line unit this season with both starting all 11 games for the 'Cats who have boasted one of the top offensive units this season with the offensive line play playing a crucial role in that. Camden Loidhamer has caught four receptions for 59 yards and one touchdown while Taylor has added 759 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground to pair with 23 receiving yards and one touchdown on four receptions. Weber is the LSC leader with 12 field goals this season out of 14 attempts and has made 64 of 65 PAT attempts this season including a perfect 13/13 at Western New Mexico and 10/10 at Sul Ross State.
 
Edward, who was the LSC Defensive Freshman of the Year last year has stepped up this season recording 37 tackles that includes nine tackles for loss for a loss of 45 yards and seven sacks for a loss of 42 yards and has added four quarterback hurries. Chase Loidhamer has made the most of his senior season tacking on 29 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss for 18 yards, three sacks, five pass breakups, five quarterback hurries, and the 'Cats only blocked kick of the season. McCalla is second on the team in tackles with 61 on the season and has four tackles for loss for a total of 10 yards to his name. He's also added two pick sixes' as the only athlete in the LSC to return two interceptions, two pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, and one fumble recovery. Scanlan has also made the most of his senior season recording 32 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss for 30 yards, three sacks, two quarterback hurries, and one fumble recovery. Coalson will conclude his career as well with a First Team All-LSC honor to his name, leading the 'Cats with 68 tackles that includes four tackles for loss for six yards, and has added one interception, six pass breakups, one quarterback hurry, and one fumble recovery.
 
CWU featured seven total honorees including Roberson as a cornerback. Joining Roberson in the Second Team All-LSC distinction is Ryder Bumgarner, Andrew Molloy, Matulino Masunu, Logan Lisherness, Jalen Webber, and Wyatt Redding.
 
Bumgarner and Molloy were the only offensive representatives with Bumgarner tallying 463 yards and five touchdowns on the ground while adding eight receptions for 93 yards and one touchdown. Molloy tacked on six receptions for 47 yards and three touchdowns. On defense, Masunu has tallied 13 tackles, five tackles for loss for a total of 23 yards including 2.5 sacks, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries. Lisherness has had an outstanding welcoming season to CWU after joining the 'Cats in the offseason. He's tallied 44 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss for a total of 33 yards, four sacks, two pass breakups, and one quarterback hurry. Webber has been a CWU staple as a cornerback and has had his best season yet with 34 tackles, three tackles for loss for eight yards, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and one fumble recovery. Redding has 37 punts on the season for a total of 1,563 yards with 17 landing inside the opponents 20-yard line. He's added 86 kickoffs for a total of 5,333 yards as well.
 
Kaleb Potts, Logan Brady, Jalen Grable, Samaje Featherstone, Roberson as a return specialist, Beau Phillips, King Williams, Javonte Walker, and Bennett Nield all garnered Honorable Mention All-LSC.
 
Potts has significantly added to the talent along the offensive line this season, starting all 11 games for the 'Cats. Brady has added 25 receptions for 292 receiving yards and two touchdowns, one of which was the LSC-title winner last weekend against Western Oregon while Grable has led the receiving corps with 341 yards and three touchdowns on 21 receptions. Featherstone has been a pleasant addition to the 'Cats this season, making 14 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns while proving to be dynamic in the return game, returning seven kickoffs for 319 yards and one touchdown. Phillips added 290 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the season but has been electric in the return game as well, returning one punt for 13 yards and eight kicks for 343 yards and two touchdowns. Williams was added to the 'Cats roster in the offseason and didn't miss a beat, logging 26 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss for a total of two yards, three interceptions, and a team-high 10 pass breakups. Walker added 22 tackles, a 0.5 tackle for loss for a yard, two interceptions, and six pass breakups. Nield started all 11 games as the Wildcats snapper, helping lead the special teams unit to being one of the best in the NCAA Division II.
 
Two 'Cats were honored for their work off the field and in the classroom with McGill and McCalla both earning a nod. McGill was tabbed as the Lone Star Conference Academic Player of the Year, joining former 'Cat Dominic Wieburg on earning the distinction. Both McGill and McCalla have a 3.95 GPA in Sport Management.
 
To view the full LSC release click HERE
 
The 'Cats will welcome the Western Colorado Mountaineers for the 'Cats first home playoff game since 2017. The 'Cats and Mountaineers will meet for the third-straight first round playoff game. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. from Steve Hertling Field at Tomlinson Stadium here in Ellensburg. The game will also be streamed on ESPN+.