RONNIE WEST
Apologies for my absence — I’ve been gone the last 3 weeks as part of The Eagle’s NCAA Tournament coverage team, which we all know by now took a pretty wild turn when Wichita State ended up in the Final Four for the first time since 1965. I spent a week in Kansas City with K-State and KU, the next week in Dallas with KU and finally to Atlanta with the Shockers.
But now I’m back, so let’s take a look at some of what I missed while I was gone:
FERNANDO SALAZAR/THE WICHITA EAGLE
“Mac Madness”
Cutline: McPherson’s Kasey Miller shows the student fans the championship trophy after the Bulldogs defeated Sterling College 87-80 in the 2013 KCAC Championship at Hartman Arena Tuesday night.
Beyond the Cutline: Just a great job by Fernando of capturing the emotions of McPherson’s improbable run to the KCAC title and a fourth straight NAIA Division II Tournament berth. The improbability of the Bulldogs winning the tourney … they barely made it in the tourney, y’all. Here’s Taylor Eldridge’s game story from Tuesday night, which includes a link to a photo gallery from Fernando. The shot of Miller ran on the front of our Wednesday sports section.
Fernando Salazar: By the time the game is over, you already have an idea of which players or coaches are the ones that are really showing emotion and might make for some good shots. You try to find the one or two guys you know might deliver, but in this case as soon as the game was over and they were passing around the trophy, I was just following whoever had it and (Miller) went over to the fans
Kasey Miller: We’d been through so much adversity this year that at the moment the picture was taken I was just so happy, which I think you can tell, and just grateful to be a part of this team and with this particular group of guys that did this. I’m from Derby, so the picture running in my hometown paper was pretty cool, and I’ve kind of felt like a celebrity since it came out because a lot of people have been approaching me and saying stuff about the shot. My mom came into work on Wednesday morning in Derby and all the people she works with were telling her about it and she sent me a picture of the paper. It was the end of a crazy week of basketball for us, and like I said I’m just glad I got to be around this group of guys and this team.
JORDAN WILCOX
Two big happenings in the KCAC this week – All-KCAC picks are out and KCAC Tournament quarterfinals begin Friday.
WHITNEY BATES
The Friends University women have been reeling off victories as of late – nine straight including last night’s 76-57 win over Kansas Wesleyan. The link is to a story from Eagle correspondent Austin Colbert.
The hot streak has put the Falcons back in the hunt for winning their second straight KCAC regular-season title – they are now one game back of No. 25 Tabor in the standings with five regular-season games left, including a Feb. 14 tilt at Tabor.
Abril Marshall leads the Falcons in scoring with 12.9 points per game – fourth in the KCAC. Rose Hill product Whitney Bates is third in the KCAC in steals (2.21) and assists (3.54). Friends plays at Sterling on Saturday night.
SHAMAR ACUAY
We put out our college basketball preview on Sunday, including features and capsules on the MIAA, KCAC, Jayhawk Conference and Newman. Here’s links to our stories and capsules plus a few behind-the-scenes bits on each story – click the name of the league for the jump to capsules – Newman women are a folo on the main feature:
Here’s a look at our four leagues and how the races for titles are playing out – obviously the Jayhawk is a little unique because of a postseason tournament. It’s far enough into the season that I feel like we can safely say what teams are still in the hunt, what teams are hoping for a miracle and what teams have no hope – relying more on math than emotion, hopefully.
MIAA
Lincoln (0-4 overall, 0-4 MIAA) at Emporia State (4-0, 4-0), 1 p.m. – Emporia State quarterback Tyler Eckenrode leads the MIAA with 1,320 passing yards and 11 touchdowns and is seventh in the nation in total offense at 367.25 yards per game.
The Hornets haven’t started 5-0 since 2003, which was also the last year they won the MIAA. Emporia State’s best start was 8-0 in 1988, something they have a shot at matching if they can beat Lincoln as games against Southwest Baptist, Lindenwood and Truman await.
Fort Hays State (0-4, 0-4) at Truman (3-1, 2-1), 1 p.m. — An unthinkable loss for the Tigers a few years ago is now an upset win to avoid going 0-5. Things couldn’t be worse for second-year coach Chris Brown’s squad.
Southwest Baptist (1-3, 1-3) at No. 20 Washburn (3-1, 3-1), 1 p.m. — Ichabods should bounce back from last week’s loss to Central Oklahoma.
Missouri Southern (3-1, 3-1) at Central Missouri (3-1, 3-1), 1:30 p.m.
Nebraska-Kearney (0-4, 0-4) at Lindenwood (3-1, 3-1), 1:30 p.m.
Northeastern State (0-4, 0-4) at No. 11 Northwest Missouri (3-1, 2-1), 2;30 p.m.
Central Oklahoma (1-3, 1-3) at No. 7 Missouri Western (4-0, 3-0), 6 p.m.
KCAC
Friends (3-1, 2-0 KCAC) at No. 23 Kansas Wesleyan (3-1, 3-0), 6 p.m. – The Falcons have gone back and forth between quarterbacks this season in sophomore Derek Racette, a dual-threat with 193 rushing yards and 190 passing yards, and senior Jayme Bristow, who has passed for 305 yards. A win by Friends would likely propel them into the NAIA Top 25 and possible sole possession of first place in the KCAC, depending on the outcome of Ottawa’s game at Tabor.
Avila (0-4) at Bethany (2-2, 1-2), 2 p.m. — Into the heart of the season and Junior Allen’s absence is felt.
Saint Mary (0-4, 0-3) at Sterling (0-4, 0-3), 6 p.m. — Saint Mary best 0-4 NAIA team in the country. Seriously. They should pick up their first win right here.
Ottawa (1-2, 1-1) at Tabor (3-1, 2-0), 7 p.m. — Tabor playing inspired football right now, should be an emotional setting for this one in Hillsboro.
Southwestern (2-2, 2-1) at Haskell (0-4), 7 p.m.
McPherson (2-2, 2-1) at Bethel (0-3, 0-2), 7 p.m.
Heart of America
No. 13 Baker (4-1, 3-1 HOA) at No. 11 Midamerica Nazarene (2-1, 2-1), 2 p.m. – MidAmerica Nazarene quarterback Sean Ransburg is coming off a career game against Avila, where he threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 105 yards and one touchdown.
Baker defensive backs Emmerson Clarke and Preston Schenck are tied for the league lead with three interceptions each.
Central Methodist (2-2, 2-2) at Lindenwood-Belleville (2-2), 1 pm.
Culver-Stockton (0-4, 0-4) at No. 4 Missouri Valley (4-0. 3-0), 1:30 p.m.
No. 6 Benedictine (4-0, 2-0) at Evangel (2-0, 1-1), 2 p.m.
Avila (0-4, 0-3) at Bethany (2-2), 2 p.m.
Graceland (2-2, 1-1) at Peru State (2-2, 1-2), 2 p.m.
Jayhawk
Air Force Prep (0-4) at No. 3 Butler (5-0, 4-0 Jayhawk), 7 p.m. – Based on the NJCAA’s new, computerized ranking system, this is a game that could hurt Butler, win or lose. Because Air Force Prep is not affiliated with the NJCAA, this game won’t count in the rankings and the Grizzlies dropped one spot in the rankings two weeks ago coming off a 77-point win.
Fort Scott (2-3, 2-2) at Garden City (3-1, 2-1), 7 p.m. — Every win is a big step for the Broncbusters, and this is another big test.
No. 13 Hutchinson (2-1, 2-0) at Highland (1-3, 1-2), 1 p.m. — Highland, in my opinion, is the most improved team in the Jayhawk.
Independence (2-3, 0-3) at Dodge City (0-5, 0-4), 7 p.m. — Somebody has to win.
Saturday’s small-college football games (Sept. 22)
MIAA
Emporia State (3-0, 3-0 MIAA) at Northeastern State (0-3, 0-3), 6 p.m. – The Hornets lead the league in scoring, passing and total offense and quarterback Tyler Eckenrode averages 363 passing yards and has 10 touchdowns. A win here could be what Emporia State needs to break into the NCAA Division II Top 25, where it has been receiving votes the last two weeks. .
No. 9 Washburn (3-0, 3-0) at Central Oklahoma (0-3, 0-3), 2:37 p.m. — Check out that game time it cracks me up.
No. 12 Northwest Missouri (2-1, 1-1) at Nebraska-Kearney (0-3, 0-3), 4 p.m.
Southwest Baptist (0-3, 0-3) at Missouri Southern (3-0, 3-0), 6 p.m.
Lincoln (0-3, 0-3) at No. 1 Pittsburg State (3-0, 3-0), 7 p.m. — Easy win for Gorillas here before a brutal, three-game stretch against Central Missouri, NW Missouri and a possible Top 10 battle against Missouri Western in Pittsburg on Oct. 20
No. 7 Missouri Western (3-0, 2-0) at Fort Hays State (0-3, 0-3), 7 p.m. — Things aren’t getting any easier for the Tigers.
KCAC
No. 24 Kansas Wesleyan (2-1, 2-0) at Bethany (2-1, 1-1), 7 p.m. – This is the 100th meeting for these teams in perhaps the best rivalry in the KCAC. The two teams played for the first time on Nov. 13, 1893, a game the Coyotes won 38-0. Bethany won 15 straight games between 1987-2000. Kansas Wesleyan is led by 6-foot-2, 240-pound junior linebacker Brady Harwell, who averages 10.3 tackles.
Friends (2-1, 1-0) at McPherson (2-1, 1-0), 1 p.m. — Huge game as far as the KCAC standings go – Friends is coming off a big win over Southern Nazarene last week. Friends senior defensive end Dexter Davis is an early candidate for national defensive player of the year honors – he’s already got 9 sacks in three games.
Tabor (2-1, 1-0) at Saint Mary (0-3, 0-2), 1:30 p.m.
Sterling (0-3, 0-2) at Southwestern (1-2, 1-1), 6 p.m.
Heart of America
No. 5 Missouri Valley ( 3-0, 2-0) at No. 9 Baker (4-0, 3-0), 6 p.m. – USC transfer Dillon Baxter doesn’t have a 100-yard rushing game, but Baxter (274 yards) and Baker freshman Jermaine Broomfield (249 yards) are third and fourth in the HOA in rushing.
No. 13 MidAmerica Nazarene (1-1, 1-1) at Avila (0-3, 0-2), noon
Peru State (2-1, 1-1) at No. 6 Benedictine (3-0, 1-0) 1 p.m.
Jayhawk
No. 3 Butler (4-0, 3-0) at Highland (1-2, 1-1), 1 p.m. – Butler beat Independence by 77 points last Saturday and dropped one spot in the NJCAA Top 20. The Grizzlies need to keep winning big to keep traction in the polls, but they face a Highland defense that is second in the Jayhawk in scoring defense at 24.6 points.
Dodge City (0-4, 0-3) at Fort Scott (1-3, 1-2), 1 p.m.
Garden City (2-1) at Air Force Prep (0-3), 2 p.m.
Independence (0-3, 0-2) at Coffeyville (2-2, 1-1), 7 p.m.
MIAA
No. 1 Pittsburg State (2-0, 2-0 MIAA) at Southwest Baptist (0-2, 0-2), 1 p.m. – The Gorillas have already racked up five interceptions and Kansas transfer Keeston Terry, a junior safety, is providing dividends with 13 tackles and one interception. On offense, Pitt State is averaging 193 yards on the ground and have split carries between seniors Briceton Wilson and Jason Spradling.
Fort Hays State (0-2, 0-2) at No. 13 Northwest Missouri (1-1, 1-0), 1 p.m. – The Tigers are in the middle of a brutal stretch against three straight ranked opponents. Fort Hays lost to No. 9 Washburn last Saturday and now have to make the six-hour drive to Maryville, Mo., with the Bearcats fresh off a loss to Central Missouri.
Other games
Central Oklahoma (0-2, 0-2) at Emporia State (2-0, 2-0), 1 p.m. — I’m not kidding – win here and the Hornets could be 7-0 before you know it. One of the easiest schedules in the MIAA.
Missouri Southern (2-0, 2-0) at Lincoln (0-2, 0-2), 2 p.m.
Northeastern State (0-2, 0-2) at No. 9 Washburn (2-0, 2-0), 2 p.m. — Ichabods have transitioned into the post-Dane Simoneau era well.
Nebraska-Kearney (0-2, 0-2) at No. 8 Missouri Western (2-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
Central Missouri (1-1, 1-1) at Lindenwood (2-0, 2-0), 6 p.m.
Northwestern Oklahoma (0-2) at Truman (2-0), 7 p.m.
KCAC
Southwestern (1-1, 1-0 KCAC) at McPherson (1-1, 1-0), 7 p.m. – McPherson quarterback Jake Snodgrass, a Derby product, is averaging 261 passing yards passing and 52 rushing yards. A win by the Bulldogs could propel them into the NAIA Top 25 headed into a Sept. 22 matchup with Friends in McPherson.
Other games
Saint Mary (0-2, 0-1) at Ottawa (0-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. — Not thinking the Braves are going to start KCAC play 0-2.
Kansas Wesleyan (1-1, 1-0) at Sterling (0-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. – What has happened to the Warriors the last couple of years?
Bethany (1-1, 0-1) atBethel (0-2, 0-1), 6 p.m. –
Haskell (0-2) at Tabor (1-1), 7 p.m.
Southern Nazarene (0-2) at Friends (1-1), 7 p.m.
Jayhawk Conference
No. 2 Butler (3-0, 2-0) at Independence (2-1, 0-1), 1 p.m. – Butler sophomore middle linebacker Blake Bean, from Kapaun Mount Carmel, is third in the Jayhawk with 12 tackles per game.
Other games
Coffeyville (1-2, 0-1) at Fort Scott (1-2, 1-1), 1 p.m. — This isn’t a gimme for the Red Ravens. The Greyhounds are 8-12 in the two-plus seasons since going 11-1 and playing for the national title in 2009.
Dodge City (0-3, 0-2) at No. 14 Hutchinson (2-1, 2-0), 7 p.m. — Blue Dragons need to start playing defense.
GOT THEM ALL –TA
JAYHAWK
No. 14 Hutchinson 63, No. 19 Garden City 49 FINAL
Coffeyville 29, Air Force Prep 23 FINAL
No. 2 Butler 60, Fort Scott 14 FINAL
Independence 27, Arkansas Baptist 20 FINAL
Highland 32, Dodge City 10 FINAL
MIAA
No. 1 Pittsburg State 34, C. Oklahoma 19 FINAL
No. 15 Washburn 45, Fort Hays State 20 FINAL
Central Missouri 31, No. 3 NW Missouri 21 FINAL WOW
Emporia State 58, Nebraska-Kearney 35 FINAL, HORNETS IMPROVE TO 2-0
KCAC
Friends 36, Saint Mary 14 FINAL
Southwestern 27, Bethel 13 FINAL
Tabor 12, Sterling 7 FINAL
Kansas Wesleyan 31, No. 11 Ottawa 28 FINAL
McPherson 14, No. 24 Bethany 0 FINAL