By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. — A year ago, Caleb Heavner entered preseason football camp at Fort Hays State looking to unseat Jack Dawson as the starting quarterback. Dawson, who had guided the Tigers to a 7-4 record in 2023, ultimately held on to the job for the first five games of the 2024 season.
Heavner's opportunity came late in the second quarter of a blowout loss at No. 23 Central Oklahoma. He was named the starter the next week against No. 12 Central Missouri, a game in which he led the Tigers to a 31-21 victory and remained the starter the rest of the season.
Now, as the Tigers prepare for the 2025 season, Heavner enters camp as the starting signal-caller. The redshirt junior from Denison, Texas, said his approach hasn't changed.
"A lot more preparation, honestly, when you go in knowing you're going to be the guy," Heavner said. "There's a lot more on your shoulders, and that's the way I want it to be. Nothing changes, you've got to go to work every day and compete your butt off. Whatever I can do for this team to win games, whether that's playing or not playing, that's what I've got to do."
In 2024, Heavner played in 10 games, starting the final six. He set a new FHSU single-season record by completing 70.1% of his passes (141 of 201) for 1,649 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also rushed for 353 yards and five touchdowns and was named honorable mention All-MIAA.
FHSU went 5-1 in Heavner’s six starts last season and finished with an 8-3 overall record, narrowly missing the NCAA Division II playoffs. This season, he’s aiming to change that.
"We should have made the postseason, I thought we were definitely a top team in the country," Heavner said. "How do we eliminate being at the end of the conversation for that? We win. If we come out and execute and we win, then we don't have anyone make a decision for us; we make our own decision."
The Tigers have completed two days of fall camp and are scheduled to practice in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts on Wednesday and Thursday before moving to full pads on Friday.
FHSU opens the 2025 season at home against defending Lone Star Conference champion Angelo State on Thursday, Aug. 28, at Lewis Field.