RFC Summer Semester: Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Preview (NAIA)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: The race for the 2012 Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) championship came right down to the wire, with Ottawa (8-3 overall) taking the title home after finishing 8-1 in league play.  The Braves were the KCAC's lone representative in the NAIA playoffs, losing in the first round to Missouri Valley College, 56-21.

Looking ahead: Don't be surprised if the race for the 2013 KCAC crown comes down to the final week of the regular season.


Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Ottawa (8-3):  With four of their players named to the KCAC pre-season all-conference team, expect the Braves to be in the thick of the conference championship again this season. But with a tough early season slate that includes a September 14 contest against, you guessed it, Missouri Valley, just getting back to the playoffs will be a challenge.

2. Tabor (8-2):  Despite being the only other squad in the KCAC to win at least eight games, as well as end the 2012 season with five straight wins, the Blue Jays found themselves on the outside looking in come playoff time. It's something they hope to change at the end of the 2013 season.

3. Saint Mary (6-5):  A four-game winning streak to end 2012 has the Spires (and their faithful) fired up for 2013.  Ironically, last year's 0-4 start included close losses (by eight points or less) to the aforementioned Tabor and Ottawa, as well as the season opener to Nebraska Wesleyan.

4. Kansas Wesleyan (6-5):  While the Spires ended last season with a dramatic win, the Coyotes season ended with back-to-back losses, including that season-ending, heartbreaking loss to this very St. Mary squad.  With the way that 2012 ended, they hope that 2013 will have them hoisting up the KCAC championship trophy.  Oh, and 17th year head coach Dave Dallas stands just 10 wins away from winning 100 games at the Coyote helm.

5. Friends (6-5):  The end to the 2012 season was anything but friendly to the Falcons, as they lost back-to-back games to finish KCAC play at 5-4.  With back-to-back games against two teams that finished last year with winning records, matching that win total from a year ago won't be easy. 

6. McPherson (4-5):  The Bulldogs hope to show some improvement under second year head coach Pete Sterbick.

7. Southwestern (Kan.)--(4-7):  The Moundbuilders march into 2013 looking to snap a four-game skid that ended 2012.

8. Sterling (3-7):  Despite a dismal start, the Warriors ended last season with back-to-back wins.  Hopefully that bode well for them going into this season.

9. Bethany (Kan.)--(4-7):  The Swedes look to start from scratch under new head coach Manny Matsakis.

10. Bethel (Kan.)--(0-10):  The winless Threshers will also welcome a new head coach in Marty Mathis.

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