Monthly Archives: October 2009

Saturday’s scores (10/31)

Oct. 31, 20092:20 p.m.

SCORES AS I GET ‘EM, PREVIEWS AND MGMT WHILE YOU WAIT -TA

No. 3 Fort Scott 14, No. 4 Butler 10 FINAL Butler fumble on FS 17 then Greyhounds go 15 plays ending with a Jasmin Hopkins 5-yard touchdown run. Butler turned it over twice in first half; Logan Ortiz kicks 36 yd field goal to make it 7-3; Butler fumbles going into end zone, Fort Scott recovers but Ryan Downing intercepts a pass two plays later and then …Marcus Kennard 14 pass from Ross Dausin 10-7 Butler 8:24 left to play in the game. Fort Scott scores a touchdown on a 93-yard drive with 1:37 left Jasmin Hopkins TD run 14-10 Fort Scott lead. FORT SCOTT’S WIN MEANS BUTLER’S EIGHT-YEAR REIGN ATOP JAYHAWK IS OVER AND GRIZZLIES WON’T WIN THIRD STRAIGHT NAT’L TITLE

MIAA

No. 3 Northwest Missouri 66, Fort Hays State 40

Washburn 37, Truman State 7

Missouri Western 29, Emporia State 6

Nebraska Omaha 31, Pittsburg State 28, OT

KCAC

No. 14 Friends 45, Saint Mary 21

Sterling 35, Bethany 2

Southwestern 21, Bethel 20 D’OH THRESHERS … THE JINX LIVES!!!

No. 16 McPherson 43, Tabor 10

No. 7 Ottawa 42, KWU 10/ Haller 391 yds 5 Tds

JAYHAWK

Hutchinson 55, Garden City 14/Hutch gets final playoff spot … and a trip to Fort Scott next Sunday!

No. 17 Coffeyville 24, Independence 0

Dodge City 29, Highland 22 … ugh

By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, football | Comments (0)

Saturday’s games

Oct. 30, 20098:08 p.m.

All you need to know, right here and right now:

MIAA

No. 3 Northwest Missouri (8-1 overall, 7-0 MIAA) at Fort Hays State (5-4, 3-4), 2 p.m. — The Tigers actually lead the all-time series 12-11-1, but that matters little to the Bearcats, who handed Fort Hays its worst loss of 2008, a 56-7 shellacking in Maryville, Mo. One thing going for the Tigers is that they’ve been tough at home this season, going 3-1 at Lewis Field.

Truman State (1-8, 0-7) at Washburn (6-3, 4-3), 1 p.m. — The Ichabods shouldn’t have any problem with Truman in a game notable only because senior linebacker Zach Watkins will likely become the career tackles leader for Washburn. Watkins currently has 452 career tackles, behind only Grant Gould (2002-05) with 459.

Missouri Western (7-2, 5-2) at Emporia State (2-7, 1-6), 1 p.m. – ESU finishes the year 2-9 after they lose this game and then lose to Washburn in the regular season finale. And that’s in a year when they brought back 9 starters on defense and 6 on offense, along with bringing in the Jayhawk Conference offensive POY. The damage? It’s the Hornets worst season since 1983.

Pittsburg State (5-4, 3-4) at Nebraska-Omaha (5-4, 4-3), 1 p.m. — Chance to save some face for the Gorillas, who can win here and then close out with a win over Truman … and then start to think about what they need to do for next year.

KCAC

Saint Mary (2-5, 2-4) at No. 14 Friends (6-1, 5-1), 1:30 p.m. — Don’t look now, but the Falcons are starting to roll, having defeated their last three opponents by a combined score of 104-13. If Friends can survive here – which it should – season-defining games at Kansas Wesleyan (Nov. 7) and back home for senior day against No. 7 Ottawa (Nov. 14) await, as does a shot at a fourth straight KCAC title.

Sterling (4-3, 3-3) at Bethany (4-3, 3-3), 1:30 p.m. – This game might be a couple of also-rans in the middle of the pack, but don’t think it’s not important. It’ll be a dogfight.

Bethel (2-5, 2-4) at Southwestern (1-6, 1-5), 1:30 p.m. –

No. 16 McPherson (6-1, 5-1) at Tabor (0-7, 0-6) , 1:30 p.m. — There might not be a 1,000 yard rusher in the KCAC this year, which blows my mind. But if there is, it’ll be McPherson’s Aaron Lafitte, who already has 677 yards.

Kansas Wesleyan (4-3, 3-3) at No. 7 Ottawa (7-0, 6-0), 2 p.m. – Don’t think that the Braves aren’t licking their chops at getting the Coyotes at home — this Ottawa team smells blood in the water, it goes in for the kill. No looking ahead for OU.

JAYHAWK

Garden City (4-4, 3-3) at Hutchinson (5-3, 3-3), 7 p.m. — It’s hard to imagine that Hutchinson was ranked as high as No. 3 this season, but now finds itself in a win-or-you’re-done situation in the final game of the regular season. However, if the Blue Dragons win, they’re still in the running for a bowl game, likely the Salt City Bowl on Dec. 5 in Hutchinson.

No. 4 Butler (7-1, 6-0) at No. 3 Fort Scott (8-0, 6-0), 1 p.m. – Winner gets top seed in Region VI playoffs, regular-season Jayhawk title and an inside track to playing in the national championship game. Other than that …

Independence (2-6, 2-4) at No. 17 Coffeyville (5-3, 4-2), 7 p.m. – In Montgomery County, this game is a big deal. In 1997, unranked Indy came in and upset No. 1 Coffeyville about halfway through the season. How do I know these obscure facts? Unfortunately, I played in that game. And not for Indy.

Dodge City (0-8, 0-6) at Highland (0-8, 0-6), 1 p.m. – The absolute Toilet Bowl of JuCo games.

By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, football | Comments (0)

Roll Call (Glory Days)

Oct. 30, 200912:27 a.m.

Stayed up a little late socializing at the unofficial NW High School hoops reunion last night — we had 1992 to 1999 pretty well represented — just a bunch of ex-athletes getting together, trying to recapture a little of the glory of … well, you get it.

Enough with that, time for Roll Call, in the wink of a young girl’s eye:

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By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, Roll Call | Comments (0)

Jayhawk Media Day (It’s kind of a big deal)

Oct. 27, 20091:40 a.m.

Guess who went to Jayhawk media day Monday morning? That’s right, Steve Eck!

Just kidding, although Coach Eck was really there, and had some Sunflower Slate-related questions, as always, and our lowly little blog even got a shout out from Ron Burgundy, er, Craig Fletchall … who thinks he’s kind of a big deal now that he’s also the Barton AD.

Enough with the pleasantries. I know you want scoop.

Here’s what I got:

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By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, basketball | Comments (1)

Saturday’s scores (10/24)

Oct. 24, 20094:46 p.m.

POSTING AS I GO … PREVIEWS WHILE YOU WAIT

UPDATE: I GOT EVERYTHING BUT HUTCH-INDY AS OF 8:20 p.m. Saturday

MIAA

No. 4 Northwest Missouri 22, No. 16 Washburn 19 OVERTIME/FINAL Better to have loved and lost … whatever. That one hurts to your bones. Kind of game you think about for the rest of your life if you’re a player. So close. Washburn LB Zach Watkins finishes with 16 tackles.

Pittsburg State 59, Fort Hays State 41 (Old Gorillas die hard, I guess. And they run for 406 yards … YOwza )

Emporia State 30, Truman State 24 FINAL/2 OT (ONE AND DONE)

KCAC

No. 14 Friends 46, Bethany 0

Bethel 32, Tabor 29/3 OT

Sterling 28, Kansas Wesleyan 7

No. 17 McPherson 48, Southwestern 7 (No threat here)

No. 8 Ottawa 54, Saint Mary 13 (Ottawa improves to 7-0 and 6-0 in the KCAC as QB Ethan Haller breaks single-season passing record and 44-year old career passing record)

JAYHAWK

Hutchinson (4-3, 2-3) at Independence (2-5, 2-3), 7 p.m — As unbelievable as it might have sounded at the beginning of the season, this game has big-time playoff implications… as in the loser can kiss its postseason hopes goodbye. The teams are tied for fifth in the standings right now, one game behind Garden City for the final Region VI berth with two regular season games to go.

No. 4 Butler 54, Highland 3 (No. 3 Fort Scott awaits. Who you got? BTW, No. 1 Blinn vs. No. 2 Navarro is same day down in Texas. Establishes a direct route to the national title game for the two winners. Could that game be in Hutch or Pittsburg if it features a Kansas team?)

No. 20 Coffeyville 27, Dodge City 6 Another week amongst the living

By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, football | Comments (0)

Roll Call (Living on a Prayer)

Oct. 23, 20095:43 p.m.


Like I’ve said before, it’s never too late for Roll Call.

Before we jump right in, any predictions on the Washburn-NW Missouri game in Maryville tomorrow? I’m saying 35-21 NWMSU.

Here you go:

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By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, Roll Call | Comments (2)

Southwestern’s David King likely out for year

Oct. 22, 20094:54 p.m.
DAVID KING

DAVID KING

Southwestern All-American David King, a 6-foot-11 center, looks like he’ll be out for the season after hurting his knee last week. I talked to first-year Southwestern coach Matt O’Brien this morning and he confirmed what I’d been hearing since the weekend.

“We haven’t had an MRI yet, but both of our training staff that looked at the knee thought he had either a torn ACL or a partially torn ACL,” O’Brien said. “It looks likely he’s done for the season.”

It’s the second year in a row the Moundbuilders have lost their leading scorer before they even got into KCAC play. Last season, another first-team all-KCAC pick, Alwyn Jordan, tore his knee up.

“We’re going to have to make due in the post by committee,” O’Brien said. Stating the obvious: Losing King, a Maize product, could be disastrous for Southwestern. Don’t forget they also lost their top returning guard, Avery Richardson, who transferred to Friends.

By Tony Adame | Filed under KCAC, Southwestern, basketball | Comments (1)

Dane Simoneau making case for MIAA Offensive MVP

Oct. 19, 20097:54 p.m.
SUNFLOWER SLATE INTERNATIONAL HQ

SUNFLOWER SLATE INTERNATIONAL HEADQUARTERS/AKA MY DESK

First things first: Yes, I did think the Jayhawk Media Day was today. Yes, it is next Monday. Yes, I got up before my pre-set 10 a.m.-11 a.m. wake-up call and was going about my day when I called Mike Kessinger circa 7:30 a.m. to ask if he was in Wichita yet and he said, in not so kind words, that it wasn’t until next week. These long nights at Sunflower Slate International Headquarters are really getting to me. So you’ll have to wait until next week to hear what’s going on with Steve Eck.

Onto bigger (and better) things.

Mainly, I think Washburn sophomore quarterback Dane Simoneau should be in the discussion for MIAA Offensive MVP at this point. Numbers don’t lie.

DANE SIMONEAU (WU REVIEW PIC)

DANE SIMONEAU (WU REVIEW PIC)

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Salina Sacred Heart product leads the league in passing and total offense with 2,265 yards, 23 Tds and just 6 interceptions. The thing that struck me watching him pick apart Pittsburg State on Saturday was the zip in which his passes were thrown. He looked like he was playing shortstop out there the way he was zinging it around the field (which he also does for the Ichabods, BTW). Check that, he looked D-I.

But here’s the thing, I think, that makes him a real candidate: His team is winning. I know WU coach Craig Schurig had to make a tough decision last year to bench his starter midway through the season and go with Simoneau, but now CCS looks like a genius. And now the Ichabods are No. 16 in the country and have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.

If you think I’m crazy for putting this out there, just ask yourself this: If not Simoneau, then who else? I think the NW Missouri trio of QB Blake Bolles, WR Jake Soy and RB Laron Council each make good cases, but nobody means as much to their team as No. 9.

I’m out TA

By Tony Adame | Filed under MIAA, Washburn, football | Comments (2)

Saturday’s scores (10/17)

Oct. 17, 20097:31 p.m.

Got a chance to watch the Pitt State-Washburn game this afternoon … wow … Pitt State is bad. And Dane Simoneau is really good. Also, Fort Hays State picked up the HUGE win over Nebraska-Omaha.

And Southwestern finally won a game. And that might be the biggest surprise of the day.

Here’s the scores from Saturday:

MIAA

No. 20 Washburn 55, Pittsburg State 3

No. 5 NW Missouri 45, Emporia State 12

Fort Hays State 31, Nebraska-Omaha 20

KCAC

No. 16 McPherson 52, Kansas Wesleyan 38

Southwestern 34, Bethany 21 … I say it again, WOW

Sterling 47, Tabor 21

Saint Mary 42, Bethel 27

No. 14 Friends 28, Haskell 7

JAYHAWK

No. 4 Butler 38, Independence 0

No. 3 Fort Scott 59, Highland 17

Garden City 46, Dodge City 0

Air Force Prep at No. 20 Hutchinson (3-3, 2-3), 7 p.m.

By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, football | Comments (4)

Saturday’s games

Oct. 16, 20097:44 p.m.

Our marquee matchup for Saturday is looking like the PSU-Washburn tilt in Topeka, which FYI is going to be televised on Cox Channel 22 starting at 1 p.m. Although, I’m not sure if anything is bigger this weekend than the Washburn-ESU volleyball tilt … I’m not kidding, that’s the place to be.

And there’s this … Hutchinson C.C. running back Romero Cotton — presumably the only prep athlete in Kansas history to win four state titles in wrestling and football — was sentenced to 38 months in prison yesterday.

Here’s a look:

MIAA

Pittsburg State (4-3 overall, 2-3 MIAA) at No. 20 Washburn (5-2, 3-2), 1 p.m. — This is a make-or-break game for both teams. If Pittsburg State wins, the Gorillas have a legitimate shot at finishing 8-3 and salvaging the season. Lose, and 6-5 is a real possibility. Washburn can’t afford to lose here and then go on the road with its playoff hopes riding on an upset of No. 5 Northwest Missouri next week.

No. 5 Northwest Missouri (6-1, 5-0) at Emporia State (1-6, 0-5), 1 p.m. — This one will get ugly. The Hornets get Truman next week in the only chance either team has to win an MIAA game this season. Sad state of affairs up the turnpike.

Nebraska-Omaha (5-2, 4-1) at Fort Hays State (4-3, 2-3), 2 p.m. – Here it is. Fort Hays gets another chance to win a meaningful MIAA game. That they get it at home is a huge plus. They lose this one and it’s back to pretender status.

KCAC

No. 16 McPherson (4-1, 3-1) at Kansas Wesleyan (4-1, 3-1), 1:30 p.m. — McPherson can’t lose again if it wants to stay in contention for both the KCAC title and an NAIA Tournament bid, and this will be a true test. Kansas Wesleyan has similar goals, but must still play Friends and Ottawa. If the Bulldogs can find a way to win, they should cruise to 7-1 with their next two games against the league’s winless teams.

No. 14 Friends (4-1, 4-1) at Haskell, 1:30 p.m. – I got to spend some time with Monty Lewis on Wednesday after KCAC hoops media day, and of course I grilled him about his running game, which has fallen off the map this year. The Falcons won the last three league titles by running the rock better than almost anybody in the country, but this year they’re having to rely on passing. But does he still have an ace up his sleeve? Maybe, but I’m not saying quite yet. It would ruin the fun.

Saint Mary (1-4, 1-3) at Bethel (1-4, 1-3), 1:30 p.m. – Bethel wins its second straight here. If you haven’t seen defensive lineman James McCartney play yet, you might wanna catch the Threshers this season. He’s something else.

Bethany (4-1, 3-1) at Southwestern (05, 0-4), 1:30 p.m. — The Swedes couldn’t have a better opponent on their schedule after last week’s deflating loss to Bethel on Homecoming. Remember, Bethany led 16-3 with 10 minutes to play and turned it over 3 times in its own red zone. Ouch. But The Jinx doesn’t apply to football anymore, and the Moundbuilders play slumpbuster better than anybody.

Tabor (0-5, 0-4) at Sterling (2-3, 1-3), 1:30 p.m. – Time to catch some Zs.

JAYHAWK

Independence (2-4 overall, 2-2 Jayhawk) at No. 4 Butler (5-1, 4-0), 1:30 p.m. — It’s still two weeks from the Halloween showdown between the Grizzlies and No. 3 Fort Scott, and with winless Highland up next week, this should be Butler’s last real test before facing the Greyhounds. The Grizzlies have the top-ranked defense in the league, and cornerback Darron Edwards is tied for the league lead with three interceptions.

Highland (0-6, 0-4) at No. 3 Fort Scott (6-0, 5-0), 1 p.m. – Fort Scott rolls here, beats Air Force Prep next Friday and takes 8-0 into the Butler game. But here’s the thing … they play again two weeks later in the Region VI title game, right? I think if either team wants a shot at the national title, it’ll need to win both games.

Garden City (3-4, 2-3) at Dodge City (0-6, 0-4), 1:30 p.m. & Air Force Prep at No. 20 Hutchinson (3-3, 2-3), 7 p.m. – I did a double-up on this one because it is shaping up, in my opinion, that the Garden City-Hutch and Coffeyville-Independence games on Oct. 31 will be for the third and fourth playoff spots in Region VI. Let me know if my math is off.

I’ll be posting updates on scores tomorrow, so come on back now, ya’ hear?

-TA

By Tony Adame | Filed under Jayhawk, KCAC, MIAA, football | Comments (0)