LEBANON, Ill. – McKendree Football is celebrating its 25th season of the return of intercollegiate football during the 2022 season and to help celebrate the last 25 years of McKendree Football, the McKendree Sports Information Office has compiled a 25-Anniversary Bearcat Football Team.
 
The 90-player 25th Anniversary McKendree Football Team was selected in consultation with former head coach Carl Poelker, current head coach Mike Babcock and several others that have been associated with McKendree Football over the past 25 years.
 
McKendree will honor its 25th-Anniversary Football Team at halftime of the Bearcats Oct. 15 home game against Quincy University at Leemon Field on the McKendree campus. The members of the team in attendance at the game will be recognized on the field during the game's halftime activities.
 
The school began playing football as an intercollegiate sport in 1916, but the sport was dropped following the conclusion of the 1950 season. McKendree did not field an intercollegiate football team from 1951-1995. In November of 1995, Poelker was hired by then President Dr. James Dennis to be the school's new head football coach.
 
On August 12, 1996, 129 players reported to campus to begin preparations for the 1996 season, which would be the first football season for McKendree in nearly a half-a-century. The first game in 1996 was played at then Lindenwood College on Sept. 7 in St. Charles, Mo. The Bearcats lost that first game, 35-27. The 1996 team would post a 3-5 overall in its first season since 1950.
 
Since restarting football in 1996, McKendree has had just two coaches and has won a total of 165 games and has posted a 165-100 overall record and the program has a record of 259-222-14. In addition, McKendree has won seven or more games in a season 13 times since 1996 and won a school record 11 games in 2002 and advanced to the third round of the NAIA Playoffs.
 
The program has produced a total of 23 All-Americans since restarting football in 1996 with the most recent All-American being receiver/return specialist Matt Cole in 2019, who is currently a member of the NFL's Washington Commanders.
 
Listed below is the 25th-Anniversary McKendree Football Team (Players are listed by years played at McKendree)
 
OFFENSE
QB – Billy Gray, 1997-00 - (2,440 Total Offense Yds., 1,976 Passing Yds., 17 Passing TD)
QB – Austin Fisher, 2008-11 - (2010 All-MFSA, 4,326 Total Offense Yds., 4,332 Passing Yds., 39 Passing TD)
QB – Isaac Fisher, 2012-15 - (2015 GLVC Offensive Player of the Year, 3x All-GLVC, 10,257 Total Offense Yds., 8,508 Passing Yds., 87 Total TD)
Honorable Mention Selections: Jason Karnes, 1996-97 (1,112 Passing Yds., 14 TD, 64-177 Passing); Reece Metcalf, 2016-18 (2x All-GLVC, 5,425 Total Offense Yds., 5,154 Passing Yds., 44 TD); Turner Pullen, 2019-present (2019 GLVC Freshman of the Year, 2021 All-GLVC, 5,868 Total Offense Yds., 5,212 Passing Yds., 47 TD, 67 Total TD).
 
RB – Brandon Murphy, 1997-00 - (2x NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA, 2,239 Rushing Yds., 21 TD, 2,239 Total Offense Yds., 2008 McK Sports HOF Inductee)
RB – Jarrod Karnes, 1997-99 - (2x All-MFSA, 1,825 Rushing Yds., 27 TD, 454 Rushes, 164 Points)
RB – Daryle Jones, 2002-05 - (2004 HM NAIA All-American, 3x All-MFSA, 3,187 Rushing Yds., 24 TD, 3,187 Total Offense Yds., 3,851 All-Purpose Yds.)
RB – Shayeen Edwards, 2014-17 - (2x First-Team All-GLVC, 2,490 Rushing Yds., 20 TD, 557 Rushes, 2,490 Total Offense Yds., 2,762 All-Purpose Yds.)
Honorable Mention Selections: Louis Harden, 1997-98 (1998 All-MFSA, 1,874 Rushing Yds., 19 TD); George Smith, 2005-08 (2x All-MFSA, 2,378 Rushing Yds., School Record 28 TD, 2,378 Total Offense Yds., School Record 180 Points); Preston Thompson, 2015-18 (2018 First-Team All-GLVC, 1,779 Rushing Yds., 17 TD, 1,779 Total Offense Yds., 1,989 All-Purpose Yds.).
 
WR - Myron Hicks, 2008-11 (2010 All-MFSA, 80 Receptions, 1,227 Receiving Yds.)
WR – Cameron James, 2012-15 - (4x All-GLVC, 150 Receptions, 1,614 Receiving Yds., 16 TD, 162 Points, School Record 4,583 All-Purpose Yds.)
WR – Jalyn Williams, 2016-18 - (2x All-GLVC, 102 Receptions, 1,370 Receiving Yds., 13 TD)
WR – Matt Cole, 2016-19 - (2019 All-American, 93 Receptions, 1,618 Receiving Yds., 17 TD, 3,583 All-Purpose Yds.)
Honorable Mention Selections: ; Dewayne Gatti, 2013-14 (2013 All-GLVC, 104 Receptions, 1,350 Receiving Yds., 10 TD); Sean Dowling, 2013-16 (2015 All-GLVC, 107 Receptions, 1,375 Receiving Yds.); Jacob Bachman, 2019-present (2x All-GLVC, Season Record 80 Receptions (2021), 116 Receptions, 1,339 Receiving Yds., 1,713 All-Purpose Yds.).
 
TE – Kolin Peterson, 1999-01, '03 - (2x All-MFSA)
TE – Bryon Gettis, 2008-10 - (3x All-MFSA, 10 TD, 854 Receiving Yds., 70 Receptions)
TE – Zach Bobos, 2017-18 - (2018 All-GLVC, 38 Receptions, 414 Receiving Yds., 5 TD)
TE – Steven Leadlove, 2017-20 - (2x All-GLVC, 16 Receptions, 246 Receiving Yds., 5 TD)
 
OL – Justin Townsend, 1996-99 - (1999 NAIA All-American, 1999 All-MFSA)
OL – Dennis Barnett, 1997-00 - (2000 NAIA All-American, 2000 All-MFSA)
OL – Scott Mehring, 2000-02 - (2x NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA, 2012 McK Sports HOF Inductee)
OL – John Keeven, 2000-03 - (2003 First-Team NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA)
OL – Chris Cunnings, 2002-05 - (2004 Second-Team NAIA All-American, 2004 All-MFSA)
OL – Rick Schilb, 2002-05 - (2005 Second-Team NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA)
OL – Mike Siverly, 2004-07 - (2007 First-Team NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA) 
OL – Nick Hegger, 2007-10 - (2x NAIA All-American (2009, 2010), 2x All-MFSA)
OL – Richie Rebmann, 2010-13 - (2013 First-Team All-GLVC)
OL – Cole Foster, 2016-18 - (2x First-Team All-GLVC / 2017, 2018)
OL – Jake Stevenson, 2017-21 - (3x All-GLVC, 2x First-Team All-GLVC / 2020, 2021, 46 consecutive starts at center from 2017-21)
Honorable Mention Selections: Ryan Presson, 1997-99, '01 (2x All-MFSA, 2001 HM NAIA All-American); Keith Jackson, 2004-05 (2005 NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA); Bryan Edgar, 2006-09 (4x All-MFSA, 2x First-Team All-MFSA); Craig Zurliene, 2007-10 (3x All-MFSA); Derrik Starrett, 2012-15 (2x First-Team All-GLVC).
 
DEFENSE
DL – Oku Satcher, 1999-01 - (2x NAIA First-Team All-American, 3x All-MFSA, 59 TFL, 38 Sacks, 5 Forced Fumbles, 2017 McK Sports HOF Inductee)
DL – Ricardo Harris, 1999-02 - (2x NAIA All-American, 40 TFL, 16.5 Sacks, 6 Forced Fumbles, 2022 Mck Sports HOF Inductee)
DL – Nick Gianino, 2001-02 - (2002 All-MFSA)
DL – Ardell Adams, 2004-06 - (2005 First-Team MFSA)
DL – Brett Pearman, 2012-15 - (3x All-GLVC, First- Team All-GLVC / 2013, 2015, 42.5 TFL, 28 Sacks, 6 Forced Fumbles)
DL – Lucky Baar, 2013-16 - (2x All-American, 2016 Ron Lenz D2CCA Defensive Player of the Year, 2014 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, 4x All-GLVC, 65.5 TFL, 45.6 Sacks)
Honorable Mention Selections: Zach Carter, 2001-04 (2004 HM NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA, 40.5 TFL, 20 Sacks, 8 Forced Fumbles); Tobias Cook, 2014-17 (2x First-Team, All-GLVC, 16.5 Sacks, 5 Forced Fumbles); Darion Simmons, 2014-17 (2x All-GLVC, 34 TFL, 20 Sacks); Isaiah Ward, 2017-19, '21 (2x All-GLVC, 73 total tackles, 17 TFL, 4 Sacks, 1 Interception).
 
LB – Mike Garavalia, 1996-99 - (2x NAIA All-American, 2x First-Team All-MFSA, 277 Tackles, 33 TFL, 19.5 Sacks, 5 Forced Fumbles, 2010 McK Sports HOF Inductee)
LB – Ryan Thornhill, 1996-99 - (2x Second-Team All-MFSA, 229 Tackles, 43 TFL, 22.5 Sacks, 4 Fumble Recoveries)
LB – Darius Green, 1999-02 - (2x NAIA Second-Team All-American, 3x First-Team All-MFSA, 35 TFL)
LB – Cory Wilson, 2000-03 - (2003 Second-Team NAIA All-American, 2x All-MFSA, 238 Tackles, 6 Fumble Recoveries, 2011 McK Sports HOF Inductee)
LB – Deveon Moss, 2002-05 - (2x HM NAIA All-American, 3x All-MFSA, 245 Tackles, 17 Sacks, 8 Forced Fumbles)
LB – A.J. Wentland, 2013-16 - (3x All-American, 2016 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, 3x First-Team All-GLVC, School Record 421 Tackles)
LB – Austin Weltha, 2014-17 - (2017 All-American, 2017 GLVC Defensive Player of the Year, 3x All-GLVC, 2017 First-Team All-GLVC, 287 Tackles, 8 Interceptions)
Honorable Mention Selections: Brandon Nigro, 2008-11 (2x All-MFSA, 2011 First-Team All-MFSA, 295 Tackles); Jason Rejfek, 2008-11 (2010 First-Team All-MFSA, 216 Tackles, 5 Fumble Recoveries); Ricco Gipson, 2016-19 (3x All-GLVC, 292 Tackles).
 
DB – Rory O'Connell, 1996-99 - (1999 NAIA All-American, 2x First-Team All-MFSA, School Record 19 Interceptions, 31 Pass-Break-ups, 2018 McK Sports HOF Inductee)
DB – Colin Adams, 1997, '99-01 - (2x First-Team All-MFSA, School Record 32 Pass Break-ups)
DB – David Rhodes, 2001-04 - (2003 Second-Team All-MFSA, 15 Pass Break-ups)
DB – Adam Clapp, 2003-06 - (2006 First-Team All-MFSA)
DB – Mike Harrison, 2004-06 - (2x NAIA All-American, 2016 First-Team All-American, 2x First-Team MFSA, 9 Interceptions)
DB – Nate Powell, 2014-17 - (3x All-GLVC, 2x First-Team All-GLVC, 7 Interceptions, 22 Pass Break-ups)
Honorable Mention Selections: Ryan Klier, 2005-08 (2008 First-Team All-MFSA, 18 Pass Break-ups); Ryan Keen, 2010-13 (22 Pass Break-ups); Jamison Wilson, 2010-13 (2x All-GLVC, 7 Interceptions, 22 Pass Break-ups), Blake Benoist, 2016-18 (2x All-GLVC, 7 Interceptions).
 
SPECIAL TEAMS
K – Brian Schneider, 1998-01 - (2001 NAIA All-American, 3x First-Team All-MFSA, 247 Points)
K – Stephen Webb, 2002-05 - (2005 NAIA All-American, 253 Career Points)
K – Steven O'Block, 2013-16 - (3x All-GLVC, 277 Points, 148-159 XPs, 43-65 FGs, 7-12 40+ Yd. FGs)
K – Josh Lazaro, 2017-20 - (2x First-Team All-GLVC, 184 Points, 100-116 XPs, 28-40 FG, 5-10 40+ Yd. FGs)
Honorable Mention Selections: Kevin Kinsall, 2006-08 (129 Points, 84-89 XPs, 15-25 FG, 3-8 40+ Yd. FGs); Jordan Fark, 2008-10 (2010 First-Team All-MFSA, 160 Points, Single Season School 48 XPs in 2009, 20-31 FG, 100-106 XPs), Ryan Kastl, 2019-present (80 Points, 44-49 XPs, 12-17 FG, 5-6 40+ Yd. FGs).
 
P – Mark Albertini, 1999-02 - (2x MFSA All-Conference, 1999 First-Team honoree, School Record for Punts, 195 and Punting Yards, 7,351) 
P – Jordan Spurlock, 2004-06 - (Fourth in school history in Punts with 147 and punting yards with 5,291)
P – Alex McMahon, 2010, '13-14 - (125 Punts, 4,856 Yards, 15 50+ Yard Punts)
P – Monte Wolke, 2016-18 - (2x All-GLVC, 169 Punts, 6,801 Yards)
Honorable Mention Selection: Bret Dougherty, 2007-10 (2008 MFSA All-Conference, 171 Punts, 6,395 Punting Yards)
 
RS – Rory O'Connell, 1996-99 - (3x MFSA All-Conference, 62 Career Punt Returns, 509 Punt Return Yards)
RS – Brandon Murphy, 1997-00 - (1997 First-Team NAIA All-American, 3,874 All-Purpose Yards, 1,508 Kick Return Yards, 7 Kickoff Return TDs)
RS – Adam Clapp, 2003-06 - (School Record 103 Punt Returns, 1,204 Punt Return Yards, 2 Punt Return TDs)
RS – Cameron James, 2012-15 - (4x Second-Team All-GLVC, School Record 4,583 All-Purpose Yards, School Record 62 Kickoff Returns, 1,341 Kick Return Yards, 53 Career Punt Returns, 668 Punt Return Yards, 3 Career Return TDs)
RS – Derrick Curry, 2014-17 - (2017 Honorable Mention All-GLVC, 2,301 All-Purpose Yards, 61 Kickoff Returns, 1,285 Kick Return Yards, 64 Punt Returns, 773 Punt Return Yards, 3 Career Punt Return TDs)
RS – Matt Cole, 2016-19 - (2019 All-American, 2019 GLVC Special Teams Player of the Year, 2x All-GLVC, 3,583 All-Purpose Yards, 46 Kickoff Returns, 1,400 Kick Return Yards, 3 Kick Return TDs)
 
LS – Brandon Zehr, 2013-16 - (4-Year Starter as Bearcats' long snapper)
LS – Caleb Shipley, 2017-20 - (3x All-GLVC, 2020 First-Team All-GLVC)
 
The McKendree 25th-Anniversary Football team players earned a combined 38 All-American honors, 155 All-Conference honors, seven Conference Player of the Year (all of which have come in the Great Lakes Valley Conference) accolades and seven McKendree Sports Hall of Fame inductees (Garavalia, Harris, Mehring, Murphy, O'Connell, Satcher, Wilson).