The Howard Payne Yellow Jackets look to build on consecutive 7-3 campaigns as former defensive coordinator and assistant head coach Kevin Bachtel takes over the reins of the program from his brother. The 2023 season opener is set for 6 p.m. Saturday against the George Fox Bruins in Newberg, Oregon.

Bachtel in December was promoted to head coach at Howard Payne when his brother, Jason, accepted the position of offensive coordinator at Houston Christian University under another former Yellow Jackets head coach, Braxton Harris.

“It’s a lot different because I’m wearing a bunch of different hats instead of game planning all the time,” Bachtel said in regard to the differences in preparation between the 2022 and 2023 season openers. “I’m lucky to have a really good staff that’s able to handle a lot of the game planning and practice planning. This trip, going to George Fox, there’s a whole lot to get done and at times it feels overwhelming, but everything’s good, the team’s in good spirits and we’re excited to travel.”

Taking over a program he has been associated with for three seasons is a huge advantage, Bachtel said, opposed to walking in the door fresh off the street.

“It’s huge because I know the kids,” Bachtel said. “We have some new guys coming in, obviously, but it’s huge to know the team and where they fit. They know my expectations, they knew them before I ever took over. What I expect from them and what they expect from me has made it an easy transition.”

After notching consecutive winning seasons for the first time since going 7-3 during both the 2004 and 2005 campaigns, Bachtel and the Yellow Jackets are looking to take the next step in their ascension this year and avenge a 42-39 setback to the Bruins at Gordon Wood Stadium last September.

“Goal No. 1 is to win the first game and set the tone for the season,” Bachtel said. “You want to win the first game and George Fox is a good team so it won’t be an easy task. With them being as good as they are it’s going to be a daunting task. The guys are ready to play, we just have to go do it.”

Preparing for an opponent halfway across the country is a rarity for Howard Payne, as most foes are within driving distance.

“The biggest challenge this week has been the planning of everything because we’re leaving a day early,” Bachtel said. “From the football prospective we have no film on them other than our game last year. They had a great year but they graduated their quarterback and lost their big receiver to Oklahoma State, but offensive line wise most of those guys are back and they should be really good.

There’s the unknown of are they going to be different from last year, and we’re trying to prepare for that with a few different things. We’re going in blind, but at the same time so are they.”

Regarding any systematic changes for Howard Payne, Bachtel’s stated those on defense will be minimal while the offense may not attack deep down the field as much as it has in previous seasons.

“Defensively there won’t be any major changes,” Bachtel said. “There will be some tweaks and little things you have in every offseason. Offensively, I would say it’s going to look similar to the normal person but the inside out it’s quite a bit different actually. There’s a lot more short passing game than the vertical passing game that we’ve been doing. There’s still a lot of vertical passing game in it, but right now I feel like we have receivers running everywhere and we don’t max protect as much right now. From an inside guy you see different aspects of the offense compared to what it was.”

The biggest strength for HPU coming into season is the passing game, sparked by quarterback Landon McKinney, the ASC Preseason Offensive Player of the Year who guided the Yellow Jackets to No. 7 offense in NCAA Division III a year ago behind 2,876 passing yards, and a receiving corps anchored by 2022 all-conference selection Jordan Carroll (36-674, 11 TDs).

“The unknowns are we’re still beat up on the offensive line after having some major injuries last year that we’re still nursing,” Bachtel said. “That’s a worry to me right now, the depth there and getting everybody to play on the same page.”

Defensively, the Yellow Jackets are replacing two starters in the trenches and four of five members of the secondary. All-Conference linebacker Peyton Lowe in 2022 recorded 50 tackles with five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one interception, and four pass breakups in 2022 and is expected to lead the unit on the field this fall.

“Up front defensively we lost two really good players and we have new players in those spots that have to step up and take the brunt of the snaps and we’ll see where they’re at,” Bachtel said. “The linebackers were really solid and we’re deep there, but we graduated four of five secondary guys. I’m really excited where we’re at in the secondary right now, but that’s been against us and in a scrimmage. It’ll be interesting to see this week as everything comes together.”

For George Fox, senior quarterback Max Richey will be making his first career start while Elias Polanski (12-135) is the leading receiver back and Tayler Saben (217 rushing yard) is the top ground gainer returning.

Defensively for George Fox, Jacob Erickson is back after a 10.5 sack season and is joined by fellow returnees Nash Wylie, Kiegan Schaan and Kobe Andrews.