11/30/2006

“We are champions and that can never be taken away from us,” Falcon defensive back Dan Kontz wrote in an e-mail.

The Friends University Falcon football team finished its season in McKenzie, Tenn., falling to the Bethel College Wildcats of Tennessee 35-0.  But although the Falcon football season may be over for 2006, for years to come, future teams will remember this year as the time the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference championship was returned to Wichita. 

Head Coach Monty Lewis was one of the key figures in the success of this year’s team.

“It was time for football to step up,” he said. “It was time for us to do our job and add to the winning tradition here.”

Lewis credits the success to others, such as his seniors, assistant coaches and former players from years gone by.

“Those 18 seniors did a wonderful job,” Lewis said. “And shoot, we went on the run.”

The caliber of this year’s team helped draw the community into the University’s athletic program. This year’s performance spread the message that a quality college football program does exist in Wichita, despite the absence of a Wichita State University team. 

Winning games brought the fans out to support the Falcons. No longer were the bleachers in Adair-Austin Stadium left desolate. This year, the people of Wichita had a reason to come and watch the games. Kontz wrote that this year’s support by the fans “was the best I’ve seen it in my five seasons here at Friends.”

When Lewis and the rest of the coaching staff were hired by Athletic Director Joe Zimmerman and President Biff Green in January 2003, the University had high expectations that one day the newcomers would bring the Falcons a championship title, but they did not know it would happen within the fourth year of “a full phase recruitment.” 

“In four short years, we’re there,” Lewis said. 

In the beginning of the season, the team gave us some heart-pounding games such as when the team played Haskell Indian Nations University and only won by four points, 7-3. Or don’t forget kicker Colt Cody’s 40-yard field goal with only 23 seconds remaining in the game against Tabor College. 

We also had the privilege of witnessing the streak when the Falcon defense flawlessly defended its turf for 24 scoreless quarters and 28 quarters without a touchdown.  Numerous tackles by Noah Morford, Dangelo Reed, Omar Humphreys, Dan Kontz and the entire defense were commonplace. Remember Brady Reichmuth’s 80-yard run for a touchdown after J.R. Phillips blocked a kick?

Offense brought excitement to the field as well. Quarterback Chris Randolph would pass the ball to running back Montrell Vann or Trey Hightower who would then run the ball past defenders into the end zone. Don’t forget the catches made by receivers such as Abe Kersting or tight end Luke Flanagan. 

Yes, the Falcons had a good season — since 1994 the Falcons have not had a share in the KCAC tournament title, and since 1992 they have not had the opportunity to go to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletic playoffs. 

Kontz praised his teammates and in particular the seniors.

“A lot of guys really grew into leaders this season and that was evident on and off the field. The work ethic on this team was the best I’ve ever seen. Everyone was so dedicated to getting better every day,” wrote Kontz. 

So when the championship banner is added to the Garvey Physical Education Center Gymnasium in the next year, perhaps former players and fans will take the time to look at it and remember the football team of 2006, which brought back the KCAC championship to Wichita. 

Coach Lewis summed up the triumphs of this year’s team.

“The standard that we constantly spoke about now has been lived,” he said. “The bar has been raised.”