BY BUDDY TABLER

Special to the Tribune

NORTH NEWTON — Former Larned Indian football players Logan DeMond and Tanner Galliart recently completed banner years for the Bethel College Threshers.

DeMond earned KCAC Special Teams Player of the Year becoming the first Thresher to earn this award since 2006.

DeMond was named All-KCAC first team placekicker. DeMond broke Bethel’s extra-point record by nailing 34 tries and tied the school record with three field goals against Ottawa and Texas College. DeMond broke Michael Montez’s record of 33 extra points in 2005. He ranked fourth in the NAIA with 11 field goals to come within one field goal of tying Bethel’s all-time single-season record held by Chris Rico (12) in 2000. 

Galliart was a starter at wide receiver and as a kick returner who earned honorable mention honors as a receiver on the All-KCAC football team. For a team that threw the football only sparingly, Galliart became a “big play” guy for the Threshers, averaging more than 30 yards per catch. Galliart was selected the KCAC’s Special Team Player of the Week for his punt returns in September. 

Larned freshman linebacker Jacob Smith also saw action for the Threshers. No. 24 ranked Bethel finished the season with an 8-3 record, one of the best in school history.

Former Larned Indian football coach A.B. Stokes served the associate head coach for Bethel College. Stokes completed his second year with the Threshers.