BATESVILLE, Arkansas - With 118 players on the roster, 87 of whom are true freshmen or red-shirt freshman, the Lyon College Scots enter the 2023 season in the NCAA Division III ranks for the first time in school history.

The Scots were 1-9 last year in their final season in the Sooner Athletic Conference, but Coach Chris Douglas is hopeful that the experienced upper-classmen will provide the leadership necessary for success as an Independent.

The Scots have several returning upper classmen that Coach Douglas thinks will play key roles in leading the up and coming freshman class. Returning are, wide receivers Xavier Long, Reginald Brown II, Clifford Washington and Christopher Burris. The Running backs inlcue Jaylin Babers, Kurt Overton, Aedan Huntsman, Jacob Hutto and Tanner Mobley. Quarterbacks coming back are Brady Miller, who started games in the later half of the season in 2022, Eli Funk, Joe Galay and Noah Paez were also named as potential snap-callers for the team this year. Anchoring the offensive line will be Clay Sebree, John-Keith Walling, Sam Conyers, Christian Cox, Stephen Hill and Jacob Fore. 

Defensively, Lyon welcomes back cornerback Jayland Kelley, defensive back Camden Clear, safety Lawson Stockton, cornerback Micah Morrison, safety William Litton, Linebacker Michael Wingo II, and linebacker Nate Sarver.  On the defensive line, Slayton Wheeler, Edward Jackson,  Bryce Arnold, Rene Dominique, Carson Turner and Keidrick Wooten, who had a touchdown to his credit last season against Panhandle State University.

Grinnell,  coached by Brent Barnes, went 2-6 last season and plays in the NCAA Division III Midwest Conference. The Pioneers football season was canceled for two years and returned in 2021. They are 61 players strong this season and features quarterbacks Grayson Woodhouse and Henry Baird under center. Running back CJ Readon, wide receiver Garrett Wilson, wide receiver Jack Reed, wide receiver Connor Smith, wide receiver Nick Rhinehart, halfback Seth Semmen, running back Danny Quirk halfback Garret Bean, offensive lineman Landon Skinner, offensive lineman Tyrell Taylor, wide receiver Neal Stratton, halfback Rene Urias Jr., and wide receiver Ben Cerrato, are returning for the Pioneer's offensive unit.

Defensively, linebacker Tim Johnson, defensive back Luke Stefan, defensive back Kevin Johnson, defensive linemen Mushadda Morocco, defensive lineman Scott Nissen, defensive lineman Henry Dworkin, linebacker Bert Greene, defensive back Dre Wright, defensive back Hugh Werner, linebacker Fin O'Malley, defensive back Kirill Sniff, linebacker Will Reyes, defensive back David Quintana, defensive lineman hero Uchino, defensive lineman TJ Lawrence, defensive lineman Travis Chu and defensive lineman Andrew Kozhaya to name a few returners for the Pioneer's defense. 

WATCH: Grinnell College vs. Lyon College on September 2 will be on the Scots Digital Network, sponsored by Blue Frame Technology at www.team1sports.com/lyonscots.

THE FIGHTING SCOTS: This is the opening game of the 2023 season for both teams. This will be the first meeting between the two squads.