Graceland looks to continue football turnaround

The college football season gets off to an early start this weekend when Graceland goes up against Southern Nazarene University in the annual Wheat Bowl Saturday in Great Bend, Kansas. Chris Welch enters his third season as head coach and turned the program around in a hurry. After taking over a program that was winless in 2002, Welch led the Yellowjackets to a 5-5 record in his initial season and in 2004 they posted an 8-2 record and just missed out on the NAIA playoffs.Graceland should have another high-scoring offense this season. Quarterback Calyton Braddock returns after racking up 25 touchdown passes a year ago for an offense that averaged better than 30-points per game.As a whole the offense is experienced though the Yellowjackets lost their top two receivers from a year ago. Welch says they have some quality receivers returning and some new guys that’re coming in. They also have several starters in the offensive line and return their staring runningback. Graceland enters this season nationaly ranked. Two other Iowa schools open their season this weekend. Briar Cliff will take on Peru State of Nebraksa and Waldorf will be at home against Dakota State.