Season Outlook

Dodge City Community College is starting their third season under head coach Marcus Garstecki. During the first two seasons the Conquistadors have won 11 games which is highest total during two consecutive seasons since the early 1980s. In 2005 the program recorded the first winning season and bowl appearance for Dodge City since 1992. With a solid nucleus returning from 2006, the Conquistadors are excited about kicking off the 2007 campaign.

A big task for the Conqs entering fall camp will be finding a signal caller to lead the spread offense. Two redshirt freshmen, Sed Bryant (6’2 220, Miami, Fl) and Sam Their (6’3 215, Great Bend, Ks) had great springs and impressed the coaching staff with their development and leadership. True freshman Colby McGill (6’2 190, Edmond, Ok) is very talented and will also push for the starting position.

The offensive line will be anchored by 2006 honorable mention all-conference performer Kyle Bright (5’11 250 Macksville, Ks). Bright is very physical and will start at center again this season. Kyle Burkhart (6’6 280, Kinsley, Ks) was an all-conference performer at defensive end last season but will make the switch to offensive tackle this season. The coaching staff is very excited about this move as this should solidify the line. Great things are expected from Randy Rudzik (6’2 295, Jetmore, Ks) who redshirted in 2006. Rudzik showed great promise at guard during spring ball. Several newcomers are expected to push for starting positions and playing time on the line including Paul Nelson (6’2 265, Dodge City, Ks) Travis Gunn (6’5 280, Topeka, Ks) and Reggie Grant (6’6 305, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl).

The Conquistadors must replace their top two rushers from a year ago and a number of talented players will be battling for carries this season. Red-shirt freshman Shomari Grant (5’8 190, Miami Fl) was the leading rusher in Dade County as a high school senior and impressed the coaching staff during spring drills. Mike Kirk (6’1 220, Carrolton, Ga) is a powerful back that sat out in 2006. The Conq’s signed a couple of in-state tailbacks that could provide an immediate impact including Quinton Robinson (5’9 180, Dodge City, Ks) and Elijah James (5’8 200, Piper, Ks).

The Conqs must fill the holes vacated by the top three receivers from last seasons squad, however there are number of players returning with experience. Jeff Slater (6’2 210, Lansing, Ks), Tyler Kirby (6’3 190, Dodge City, Ks) and Kyle Loomis (6’4 200, Macksville, Ks) all saw considerable action as freshmen. Freshman Joey Garcia (5’10 185, LaCrosse, Ks) is a great athlete who the Conqs will rely on heavily. Other newcomers who will battle for playing time include Norris Johnson (5’8 170, St. Louis, Mo), Nikita White (5-9 180, Pahokee, Fl), Craig Venters (6’3 180, Sylvan Grove, Ks), and Darren Derstein (5’8 175, Bucklin, Ks).

The Conquistadors will rely on a couple of true freshmen to handle the tight end and fullback duties. Ben Hamilton (6’2 250, Dodge City, Ks) is very physical and athletic. Logan Hedlund (6’2 250, Montezuma, Ks) should also see action.
The defensive line will see a lot of newcomers battling for playing time. The one returning starter is Antonio May (6’4 230, Texarkana, Ar) who is recovering from a torn ACL in week four of the 2006 season. May has a combination of great size and speed. The Conqs are hoping for big things from a couple of transfers including Dantley Cline (6’2 310, Atlanta, Ga) who comes from Akron University and Dorian Capers (6’7 295, Seabrook, SC) who comes from Pearl River Community College. Josh Hunt (6’4 220, Wichita, Ks) saw limited action as a freshman and will compete for playing time. Newcomers expected to contribute include Zach Bessette (6’3 260, Ulysses, Ks), Ryan Wisdom (6’2 285, Miami, Fl), Chester Mayhew (6’3 270, Sublette, Ks), Mike Hiss (6’1 295, Ellis, Ks), and Anthony Williams (6’4 250, Tampa, Fl).

The linebacker unit may be the strongest group for the Conquistadors. Jason Thomas (6’1 225, Oberlin, Ks) and Ryan Robbins (6’4 220, Lansing, Ks) were both part time starters as freshman and had solid seasons in 2006. A couple transfers will be counted on to contribute including Vince Cheaves (6’2 215, Pahokee, Fl) from North Carolina State and Tyler Wimset (6’0 230, Owensboro, Ky) from Louisville. The Conqs are also excited about incoming freshman Kevin Dix (6’2 230, Carrollton, Ga) and Kansas Shrine Bowl Participants Levi Weeden (6’1 220, St. Francis, Ks) and Kavan Rudzik (6’1 200, Ulysses, Ks).

The secondary will be led by returning starter C.J. Lloyd (6’1 190, Spearville, Ks) who recorded 51 tackles from his safety position in 2006. Tyler Westerfield (6’1 180, Valley Center, Ks) redshirted in 2006 because of a hamstring injury but is expected to contribute this season. The Conqs have a couple transfers battling to make the team including Kennard Banks (5’10 185, Ft. Lauderdale, Fl) from Western Michigan and Lamar Alston (5’9 175, Paducah, Ky) from Louisville. Redshirt freshman Antonio Staton (6’1 210, Texarkana, AR) had a great spring at the safety position.