08/28/2026
The 2026 season is here and we cannot wait! 🏈💜 We hope to see you there!
Wildcats Ready to Growl in Year Two of Springer Era; Host Lane Saturday
MCKENZIE, Tenn. – A new season, a talented roster and rising expectations will take center stage Saturday night as the Bethel Wildcats open the 2026 campaign against the Lane College Dragons.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Walter Butler Stadium.
Coming off a 4-5 campaign during Head Coach Chris Springer’s first season at the helm, the Wildcats enter year two with renewed optimism. Bethel showed steady improvement throughout the 2025 season, and the Wildcats are eager to continue that progress.
“We have a young, talented roster that’s eager to compete,” Springer said. “Our veteran leaders have done a great job setting the tone, and we’re excited about the potential of this group.”
Bethel welcomes back 51 players, including 11 returning starters, while adding 83 newcomers. The combination has created competition, athleticism and opportunity throughout the roster.
Every successful team needs leaders willing to set the standard. This will be a huge key for the Cats after losing standouts, Jaden Taylor, Rayshawn Harvey, and Darrien Lewis. All were all-conference selections last year.
Bethel will lean on six seniors — Jordan Jackson, Brandon Hall, Brenton Hall, Christian Harden, Luke Streeter, and Tatum Oliver — as the Wildcats begin their quest to make their mark on the upcoming season.
The Wildcats have also named Christian Harden, Ryan Kirk, Clay Powell, Durrell Miller, and Tatum Oliver as team captains. Miller was a first team All-MSC performer last year.
Several newcomers will have the opportunity to make an immediate impact, including Isaiah Bishop, Caleb Murphy, Hunter King, Jackson Stickles, Keyden Hunt, Myles Mahan, Wyatt Wise, Keaton Beach, Lamarkus Grigsby, Keith Postell, and Cordarius Johnson.
Lane defensive back Jeremiah Malbroue was named to the 2026 Preseason All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Second Team, recognizing his outstanding performance and leadership on the Dragons’ defensive unit.
Saturday’s contest will mark the first meeting between Bethel and Lane, adding another element of excitement to the season opener.
Game Information Opponent: Lane College Dragons
Date: Saturday, August 29
Kickoff: 6 p.m.
Site: Walter Butler Stadium | McKenzie, Tennessee
Live Stats: https://www.bethelathletics.com/sports/fball/2026-27/boxscores/20260829_hcli.xml
Video: - https://www.bethelathletics.com/sports/fball/2026-27/schedule
Tickets: https://www.bethelathletics.com/tickets
Series History
Saturday will be the first football meeting between Bethel and Lane.
The Matchup
Bethel competes in the Mid-South Conference and finished 4-5 overall and 3-3 in conference play last season.
The Wildcats received votes in the 2026 NAIA Football Coaches’ Preseason Top 25 Poll and were selected to finish fifth in the Mid-South Conference preseason poll.
Bethel owns a 158-193 all-time record during the modern era of the program.
Lane competes in NCAA Division II as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The Dragons finished 0-10 last season and were picked to finish last in the 2026 SIAC preseason poll.
The Coaches
Bethel – Chris Springer
Springer begins his second season as Bethel’s head football coach and his 10th year with the Wildcat program. Before becoming head coach, he served as defensive coordinator, associate head coach and recruiting coordinator.
Throughout his tenure, Springer has helped the Wildcats establish numerous team and school defensive records while building Bethel into one of the NAIA’s premier defensive programs.
Lane – Stanley Conner
Conner enters his second season as head coach of the Dragons. He has more than three decades of coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels.
Before taking over at Lane, Conner spent eight seasons as the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Miles College. He helped the Golden Bears win three SIAC championships in 2018, 2019 and 2024. His career also includes head-coaching stops at Benedict College and Concordia College Alabama.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early, wear their Bethel colors and help create a memorable atmosphere as the Wildcats kick off the 2026 season at Walter Butler Stadium.
