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:
CARY WILLAIMS
You read it right.
Washburn, an NCAA Division II school in Topeka, will be well-represented on the field when Super Bowl Sunday rolls around. Our friends over at wusports.com did a great job of breaking down the careers of Baltimore defensive back Cary Williams and San Francisco linebacker Michael Wilhoite.
Wilhoite is in his first season on the roster for the 49ers after spending a season on the practice squad. If you’ve watched the Ravens’ playoff run, or the NFL in the last decade, you probably know who he is already.
And of course the Jayhawk is well-represented in the Super Bowl once again with San Francisco defensive back and former Coffeyville Red Raven Dashon Goldson.
TA
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
GCCC QUARTERBACK NICK MARSHALL
JAYHAWK
No. 14 Hutchinson (1-1, 1-0) at No. 19 Garden City (2-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. – This is high stakes for both teams early in the season – if Garden City wins they’ve got a clear path to an undefeated showdown with Butler in El Dorado on October 6. A loss for Hutchinson puts the Blue Dragons out of the national-title hunt.
Garden City quarterback Nick Marshall is averaging 198 yards passing and 113 rushing yards per game. He and running back Jamal Tyler (246 rushing yards, four touchdowns) should test a Hutchinson defense that just gave up 617 yards in a 54-34 loss to No. 12 Navarro.
Coffeyville (0-2, 0-1) at Air Force Prep (0-2), 2 p.m. – An 0-3 start would be disastrous for first-year coach Aaron Flores.
Fort Scott (1-1, 1-0) at No. 2 Butler (2-0, 1-0), 7 p.m. – Butler has absolutely steamrolled its first two opponents and a big reason has been sophomore QB Billy Cosh, who transferred from James Madison. Don’t expect much different here.
Other games
Arkansas Baptist (0-2) at Independence (0-2, 0-1), 1 p.m.
Highland (0-2, 0-1) at Dodge City (0-2, 0-1), 7 p.m.
MIAA
Central Oklahoma (0-1, 0-1) at No. 1 Pittsburg State(1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m. – Pittsburg State junior wide receiver/return specialist John Brown showed why he is one of the most dynamic players in the nation in the Gorillas’ 41-20 win at Northeastern State last Saturday. Brown, 5-foot-11 and 171 pounds, racked up 270 all-purpose yards, including nine catches for 140 yards and two touchdowns.
No. 15 Washburn (1-0, 0-0) at Fort Hays State (0-1, 0-1), 7 p.m. – Chris Brown’s second season as Fort Hays State’s coach got off to a rocky start last week with a loss to Emporia State, but the Tigers get a big opportunity to get back on track against a nationally-ranked opponent.
Other games
No. 3 Northwest Missouri (1-0, 0-0) at Central Missouri (0-1, 0-1), 1:30 p.m.
Emporia State (1-0, 1-0) at Nebraska-Kearney (0-1, 0-1), 2 p.m.
Southwest Baptist (0-1, 0-1) at Lindenwood (1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
Northeastern State (0-1, 0-1) at Missouri Southern (1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
William Jewell (0-1) at No. 14 Missouri Western (1-0, 1-0), 6 p.m.
Lincoln (0-1, 0-1) at Truman (1-0, 1-0), 7 p.m.
KCAC
Saint Mary (0-1, 0-0) at Friends (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m. – Evangel’s Andrew Brimhall picked apart the Friends secondary for 336 yards and three touchdowns in the Falcons’ 27-14 loss last Saturday at Springfield, Mo. That’s not a good sign with Saint Mary’s pass-happy offense and All-KCAC quarterback Mike Keese coming to town.
Other games
Bethel (0-1, 0-0) at Southwestern (0-1, 0-0), 6 p.m.
Sterling (0-1, 0-0) at Tabor (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
No. 11 Ottawa (0-1, 0-0) at Kansas Wesleyan (0-1, 0-0), 7 p.m.
McPherson (0-1, 0-0) at No. 24 Bethany (1-0, 0-0), 7 p.m.
STEVEN WILLIAMS
Happenings from around the state’s small-college conferences:
MIAA
-Fort Hays State senior defensive lineman Aaron Burton played well in a season-opening loss to Emporia State. Here’s an article on Burton from Conor Nicholl of the Hays Daily News. The Tigers get a shot at redemption on Saturday when they host No. 15 Washburn, where FHSU coach Chris Brown was a coordinator at before he came to Hays.
-It’s no surprise that Emporia State’s volleyball team is off to a 4-0 start and in first place in the MIAA. The team that is a surprise at 4-0 is Fort Hays State, which is off to its best start since 2004.
KCAC
-Bethany’s football team was the lone winner out of the KCAC in openers – here’s my story from Kansas.com and in Wednesday’s Eagle. Bethany sophomore defensive end Steven Williams (8 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack) was named KCAC defensive player of the week.
-McPherson goalie and Wichita native Taylor Parrott was named the KCAC defensive player of the week after shutting out York in the second half and overtime of the Bulldogs’ 2-1 win. McPherson trailed 1-0 before rallying.
JAYHAWK
-Butler football opened up $12 million BG Products Veterans Sports Complex with a 28-10 win over No. 5 Navarro in front of over 6,000. Here’s the story from The Wichita Eagle’s Jeff Lutz, who was in El Dorado.
-Top-ranked Cowley volleyball started the season 6-0, but has been off since Aug. 28 and have a big Jayhawk East test on Wednesday at Coffeyville. The Red Ravens are 6-1.