PAMELA CARTAGENA

This was a tight race — but Pittsburg State’s Pamela Cartagena beat out Emporia State’s Ting Liu and Arica Shepard for MIAA volleyball player of the year honors, unseating Liu, last year’s player of the year, then ending the Hornets’ season on Thursday at Warrensburg, Mo., in the first round of the NCAA Division II South Central Regional. Cartagena, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter (!) will end her career as a four-time first-team all-MIAA pick.

And, just to illustrate how competitive the league was this year, Liu wasn’t even a first-team pick this season at setter. That went to Washburn’s Kate Hampson as Liu was relegated to the second team. Shepard, ESU’s Brittney Miller and Washburn’s Mollie Lacy were also first-teamers.

Here’s the full list:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Pamela Cartagena, Sr., OH, Pittsburg State

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Megan Sharpe, MH, Truman

COACH OF THE YEAR
Flip Piontek, Central Missouri

FIRST TEAM
OH: Arica Shepard, Sr., Emporia State** [r1][r1]
OH: Pamela Cartagena, Sr., Pittsburg State** [r1][r1][r1]
RH/OH: Brittney Miller, Jr., Emporia State
MH: Ellen Thommes, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha
MH: Mollie Lacy, So., Washburn
S: Caitlin Pankratz, Sr., Central Missouri
S: Kate Hampson, Sr., Washburn
L: Rachel Fister, Jr., Central Missouri [r1]

**Unanimous Selection
[r1] – Repeat first team selection from last season
[r1][r1] – Repeat first team selection from the last two seasons
[r1][r1][r1] – Repeat first team selection from the last three seasons

SECOND TEAM
OH: Allie Huffman, So., Central Missouri
OH/MH: Lilian Rezende, Sr., Fort Hays State
OH: Corrinne Stringer, So., Pittsburg State
MH: Paula Harris, So., Central Missouri
MH: Ashley Jurgensmeyer, So., Southwest Baptist
MH: Megan Sharpe, Fr., Truman
RH: Lauren Graybeal, Sr., Truman
RH: Breanna Lewis, So., Washburn
S: Ting Liu, Jr., Emporia State
S: Emily Vosseler, Sr., Pittsburg State
L: Angie Reicks, So., Nebraska-Omaha

[Note: Ties in voting created three additional spots]

THIRD TEAM
OH: Renee Rheinecker, Fr., Missouri Southern
OH: Ashley Shepard, Jr., Washburn
MH: Bradye Peniston, Fr., Central Missouri
MH/RH: Lizzy Mach, So., Nebraska-Omaha
MH: Sara Falcone, Jr., Northwest Missouri
RH: Abby Gruenbacher, Jr., Central Missouri
S: Emily Myers, So., Nebraska-Omaha
L: Cassie Wilson, Jr., Pittsburg State
L: Casey Bruno, Jr., Truman

[Note: Ties in voting created an additional spot]

HONORABLE MENTION
OH: Katelyn Schmidtberger, Fr., Emporia State
OH: Jeanna Feldmann, Jr., Missouri Southern
OH: Kelli Sicner, Jr., Missouri Western
OH: Alex Smith, Fr., Southwest Baptist
OH: Kelsey Stewart, Sr., Southwest Baptist
MH: Brianne Boner, Jr., Emporia State
MH: Molly Bergkamp, Jr., Pittsburg State
MH: Brooke Fay, Fr., Pittsburg State
RH: Lidia Karnopp, Sr., Fort Hays State
RH: Erin Hattey, Sr., Truman
S: Laira Akin, So., Northwest Missouri
S: Ashley Petak, Jr., Truman
L: Amy Byfield, Sr., Emporia State
L: Paige Spangenberg, Jr., Northwest Missouri
L: Molly Smith, Jr., Washburn

Also, Fort Hays State DB/KR/PR CJ Lovett was a first-team pick as the return man — it couldn’t have been anybody else — but I’m a little surprised at his second team DB selection. Thought he was a first-team lock. Watkins had two teammates join him on the first team in DE Eric Lawrence and freshman DB Pierre Desir.

NW Missouri’s Blake Bolles was your toss-up first-team QB pick — don’t kid yourself that this could have gone to either Bolles, Washburn’s Dane Simoneau or Fort Hays State’s Mike Garrison. I think if either Simoneau or Garrison (co-2nd team picks) had been able to gut out another MIAA win it would have been theirs. But to the victor go the spoils.

My thoughts? Really liking these teams. I’m me, so I’ll always have a few beefs here and there when it comes to these things … but this is a good representation of this league’s all-stars.

Here’s the press release and full list, courtesy of the MIAA.

Contact: Kellen Coleman
(816) 421-6422 ext. 204

MIAA Announces 2009 All-Conference Football Team

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Nine members of Northwest Missouri’s 2009 MIAA Football Championship team earned spots on the All-MIAA First Team to headline the all-conference team released by the league office Tuesday. The selections were made by the league’s 10 head coaches, and coaches were not permitted to vote for their own players.

Northwest Missouri running back LaRon Council was named the 2009 MIAA Offensive Player of the Year after leading the league in rushing for the second consecutive year with 1,202 yards and 16 touchdowns. The senior from Kansas City, Mo., will finish his career with two All-MIAA First Team honors to go with his offensive player of the year award.

Washburn linebacker Zach Watkins caps off a tremendous career by being selected as the 2009 MIAA Defensive Player of the Year. The senior from Independence, Mo., was also named All-MIAA First Team for the third consecutive season. Watkins led the league in tackles with 108, the fourth consecutive season in which he eclipsed the 100-tackle mark.

Nebraska-Omaha running back Levi Terrell is the 2009 MIAA Freshman of the Year after a spectacular season in which he rushed for 1,098 yards and seven touchdowns in just seven games, 156.9 yards per contest. The De Soto, Mo., product was also named to the All-MIAA First Team.

Northwest Missouri head coach Mel Tjeerdsma was named 2009 MIAA Coach of the Year for the fourth consecutive season and 11th time overall after guiding the Bearcats to their fourth-straight undefeated conference season and MIAA title. Northwest is currently on a 37-game conference winning streak, the second-longest streak in MIAA history behind the 41-game streak put together by the Bearcats from 1997-2001, which was also under the supervision of Tjeerdsma.

Nebraska-Omaha had the second-most first team honorees with five, followed by Central Missouri and Washburn with three apiece, Fort Hays State and Missouri Western with two each and Truman with one.

Northwest Missouri earned a first-round bye in the 2009 NCAA Division II Playoffs and awaits the winner of Abilene Christian and Midwestern State in the second round Nov. 21 in Maryville, Mo. Nebraska-Omaha will take on West Texas A&M of the Lone Star Conference in the Kanza Bowl Dec. 5 in Topeka, Kan., and Missouri Western will play Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opponent Augustana (S.D.) in the Mineral Water Bowl Dec. 5 in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

2009 ALL-MIAA FOOTBALL TEAM

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
LaRon Council, Sr., RB, Northwest Missouri

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Zach Watkins, Sr., LB, Washburn

FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
Levi Terrell, RB, Nebraska-Omaha

COACH OF THE YEAR
Mel Tjeerdsma, Northwest Missouri

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Blake Bolles, Jr., Northwest Missouri
RB: LaRon Council, Sr. Northwest Missouri** [r1]
RB: Levi Terrell, Fr., Nebraska-Omaha
WR: Jake Soy, So., Northwest Missouri**
WR: Cedric Houston, Sr., Missouri Western
TE: Mike Higgins, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha
OL: Harrison Lingenfelter, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha
OL: Jason Wiseman, Jr., Northwest Missouri
OL: Brett Grozinger, Jr., Northwest Missouri
OL: Wes Yarbough, Sr., Fort Hays State
OL: Nathan Martin, Sr., Missouri Western
K: Greg Zuerlein, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha [r1]
KR/PR: C.J. Lovett, Sr., Fort Hays State

**Unanimous Selection
[r1] – Repeat first team selection from last season

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Zac Keller, Sr., Nebraska-Omaha
DL: Eric Lawrence, Sr., Washburn
DL: P.J. South, Jr., Central Missouri
DL: Tyler Roach, Sr., Northwest Missouri
LB: Zach Watkins, Sr., Washburn** [r1][r1]
LB: Chad Kilgore, So., Northwest Missouri
LB: Eric Sternberg, Sr., Truman
DB: Randy Shepherd, Sr., Central Missouri**
DB: Myles Burnsides, Sr., Northwest Missouri [r1][r1]
DB: Pierre Desir, Fr., Washburn
DB: Ryan Jones, Jr., Northwest Missouri
P: Jordan Hofer, Sr., Central Missouri

**Unanimous Selection
[r1] – Repeat first team selection from last season
[r1][r1] – Repeat first team selection from the last two seasons

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Mike Garrison, Jr., Fort Hays State
QB: Dane Simoneau, So., Washburn
RB: Anthony Stewart, Jr., Central Missouri
RB: James Walker, Jr., Fort Hays State
WR: O.J. Murdock, Jr., Fort Hays State
WR: Drameagon Powers, Sr., Washburn
TE: DeMarco Cosby, Jr., Central Missouri
OL: Brian Folkerts, So., Washburn
OL: Dennis Bergland, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha
OL: Jay Nunez, Sr., Pittsburg State
OL: Ty Lewis, Jr., Washburn
OL: Chris Norris, Sr., Missouri Southern
OL: Todd Shelton, Sr., Missouri Western
K: Steve Ivanisevic, Sr., Washburn
KR/PR: Cedric Houston, Sr., Missouri Western

[Note: Ties in voting created an additional spot at QB and OL]

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Sean Paddock, Sr., Northwest Missouri
DL: Jairius Jarvis, Jr., Missouri Southern
DL: Shayne Shade, Jr., Northwest Missouri
DL: Ben Bianchino, Sr., Washburn
DL: Jeremy Wallace, So., Central Missouri
LB: Bobby Stroup, Jr., Nebraska-Omaha
LB: Sean Whiters, Jr., Missouri Western
LB: Michael Krajicek, Sr., Washburn
DB: C.J. Lovett, Sr., Fort Hays State
DB: Casey Curran, Jr., Washburn
DB: Demetrius Lavant, Sr., Truman
DB: Alex Kuhlman, Jr., Pittsburg State
P: Ethan Kosjer, So., Fort Hays State

[Note: Ties in voting created an additional spot at DL]

HONORABLE MENTION
Central Missouri: Eric Czerniewski, Jr., QB; Bobby Guillory, Sr., WR/KR; Nate Stoffel, So., OL; Mike Martin, Sr., OL; Chris Gilchriest, Sr., DL

Emporia State: Kevin Smart, Jr., RB; Danny McEvoy, Sr., WR; Jordan Godberson, So., OL; Daniel Webb, Jr., DL; Nathan Linsey, Jr., LB; Tyler Chilson, So., P

Fort Hays State: Cordarol Scales, Jr., WR; Anthony Smith, Jr., WR; Beau Gadwood, Jr., TE; Colby McKinney, Jr., OL; Jacob Crossman, Jr., DL; Nathan Rausa, Sr., K

Missouri Southern: Johnny Johnson, Sr., RB; Daniel Thompson, Sr., WR; Dave Benham, Sr., DL; Dusty Bratzler, Jr., LB; Antwoine Brown, Fr., DB; Justin Cowper, Jr., DB

Missouri Western: Drew Newhart, Jr., QB; Thomas Hodges, Jr., RB; Ferrell McGhee, Sr., WR; Steve Jones, Sr., OL; Brad Davidson, Sr., DL; Matt Glades, Jr., LB; Ian Thompson, Jr., DB; Brad Beckwith, Jr., K

Nebraska-Omaha: Greg Wunderlich, Sr., QB; Ben Vanderslice, Sr., DL; Nate Wissink, So., DL; Jason Zabka, Sr., DB

Northwest Missouri: Tyler Shaw, Fr., WR; Abe Qaoud, Sr., WR; Kyle Sunderman, Jr., DL; Evan Wilmes, Sr., LB; Adam Vondrak, Jr., LB; Aldwin Foster-Rettig, Jr., DB

Pittsburg State: Terrance Isaac, Jr., RB; Kendall Fisher, Sr., WR; Martin Burke, Sr., TE; Mike Roberts, Sr., DL; Caleb Jessup, Sr., LB; Antonio Graham, Sr., LB

Truman: Vanness Emokpae, Jr., WR; Shea Carr, Jr., OL; Ryan Ploesser, Jr., DL; Michael Elliott, So., DB

Washburn: Vershon Moore, Fr., RB; Brad Haug, Sr., FB; Ryan Mertz, So., TE; Bill Boyer, Jr., OL; Brandon Jackson, Sr., DL; Austin Hills, Jr., P

GARY KARR: ONLY LIVING MEMBER OF THE SUNFLOWER SLATE HALL OF FAME

Here’s the scores from Sunday’s Region VI semifinal games, and what I know so far … as always, make sure to read Monday’s Eagle for the whole story:

No. 8 Butler 21, Coffeyville 14

At El Dorado, Butler was down 14-7 with under 3 minutes to play, Ross Dausin hits Dontel Watkins on 22-yd Td pass to tie it 14-14 and then Coffeyville fumbles ensuing kickoff, Butler’s Bret Soft recovers, leading to a Henderson 3-yd TD run to seal the win. It was Butler’s 18th straight win over the Red Ravens, and as my college teammate Steve Brittingham pointed out to me a couple of months ago, we played on the last CCC team to beat the Grizzlies. Unfortunately that was 1997. Not unfortunate because of who won or lost, just because it means we’re getting old.

No. 2 Fort Scott 42, Hutchinson 17

Was hoping the Blue Dragons could put up a fight after getting smoked 31-0 in the regular season — but they didn’t. If the Greyhounds win next Sunday, they’re playing for a national title. As far as Hutch, I think that they’ll learn from this year — I don’t think that there was anything they could do about the hype that surrounded them coming into the season. That was a lot of pressure and a lot of expectations for a team that hadn’t really done anything yet.

UPDATE: Just checked the Hutch News Web site and it looks like the Blue Dragons are headed to the Salt City Bowl on Dec. 5 in Hutchinson.

Hey, 6-5 means they’re bowl eligible. Getting jobbed out of a bowl last year must have really stung, because they went and created their own bowl to play in. Amazing.

MIAA

Just got this info from Gary Karr — MIAA gets only one playoff bid in football for NW Missouri State, which means Central Missouri, Missouri Western and Washburn are out. Ouch. Gotta check the books, but I can’t remember the last time just one playoff team came out of the MIAA. Double ouch.

And Friends-Ottawa next Saturday … yessir I will be there. Will you?

MIAA

Washburn 56, Emporia State 35 – Ichabods won when they were supposed to, now they’ve got to wait and see how the Super 4 rankings shake out. I think they deserve to be in the playoffs, but might be a win short. As far as ESU … time to wipe the slate clean and start from scratch, right? Simoneau hits for 354 and 3 Tds. Nice bounce back game for him, and while I may have cooled on my off. MVP talk … I definitely think the defensive MVP is Watkins and Simoneau is your first-team qb.

Truman 28, Pitt State 21 — Truman had not won a game in the MIAA this year before beating the Gorillas. Things are as bad as they’ve been at PSU since Broyles arrived. Ultimately, someone has to provide answers to the people that make the team go, aka the fans. Not unfathomable for PSU to get it turned around for next year but it’ll take some work. Gorillas’ 5-6 record is Broyles first losing season.

Fort Hays State 48, Missouri Southern 34 — Caps best season for Tigers since joining MIAA. Verdugo, on the hot seat before the year, gets some much-appreciated job security.

KCAC

No. 14 Friends 22, Kansas Wesleyan 10 — Falcons struggle a little … but still win and that’s all that matters at this point. KCAC title game is Saturday in Wichita vs. Ottawa.

No. 7 Ottawa 41, Bethany 14 – This wraps up a piece of KCAC title for Braves and could have clinched them a playoff berth. Knowing what I know, that matters zilch to this group. They want Friends.

No. 16 McPherson 34, Bethel 16

Sterling 26, Saint Mary 14

Southwestern 23, Tabor 20

HOW 'BOUT THEM DUCKS!!!!

Thought I’d start this thing off with a little Pac 10 action via the Jayhawk Conference — that’s former Wichita North and Butler County star Zac Clark in the middle of the Oregon locker room, singing the fight song after his Ducks beat Oregon on Halloween in Eugene. I’ve always thought that things like this are the beauty of the Jayhawk — one fall you’re playing in front of a couple grand on some dingy field behind an elementary school in El Dorado and the next …

THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: They are playing basketball now, BTW, including the Hutch men trouncing Barclay behind 18 points, 11 boards and 7 assists from Garrius Holloman on Thursday than waxing Fort Scott on Friday behind 16 from Joe Mitchell. I guess GH’s knee is gonna be okay …

If you haven’t checked out my Newman previews, you can go here and here.

Here’s my look at Saturday’s football games — I’ll do my Jayhawk stuff for Sunday when I’m posting scores, post-haste, manana:

MIAA

Washburn (7-3, 5-3 MIAA) at Emporia State (2-8, 1-7), 1 p.m. — The Ichabods must win here, in their regular-season finale, and then pray that the NCAA Division II Super Region IV rankings turn in their favor after they dropped from No. 8 to No. 9 following last week’s win over Truman. The top six teams in the rankings make the NCAA Division II playoffs. Washburn quarterback Dane Simoneau sits at 2,631 passing yards and has a chance to go over 3,000 for the season against an anemic ESU defense.

Pittsburg State (5-5, 3-5) at Truman (1-9, 0-8), 1 p.m. – This is where I pontificate on what could have been … like if PSU hadn’t redshirted Forrest Stucky and Nate Dreiling this year, they’d be probably ahead of the curve for next year. I’m just saying. What’s the fix for the Gorillas? I ain’t got a clue.

Fort Hays State (5-5, 3-5) at Missouri Southern (3-6, 3-5), 2 p.m. – I feel like this is still a really, really big game for the Tigers despite no hope of a postseason. Here’s why: A winning record. I think FHSU really turned a corner this season, but losing here would really hurt. That being said, who is gonna be the quarterback next year?

KCAC

No. 14 Friends (7-1, 6-1 KCAC) at Kansas Wesleyan (4-4, 3-4), 1:30 p.m. — A win here for the Falcons sets up a Nov. 14 showdown with Ottawa for the KCAC title, and the Coyotes, losers of three straight, have been reeling. Friends senior defensive back and former Butler standout Quinn Cunningham has been quietly putting together a fine season and leads the league with six interceptions.

Bethany (4-4, 3-4) at No. 7 Ottawa (8-0, 7-0), 1:30 p.m. — What to expect here? More berserker play from the Braves, who can win here and clinch at least a tie for the KCAC title, I think. Let me know if I’m off, but I believe if Friends were to beat KWU Saturday, then beat OU on Nov. 14 then it’d be a three-way title. UPDATE I just checked with Gary Karr who tells me I’m write. That scenario plays out it’s Mac, Friends and Ottawa all raising banners. And then there’s this to consider: Do the Braves lock up an NAIA playoff bid with a win this weekend? I think they do.

No. 16 McPherson (7-1, 6-1) at Bethel (2-6, 2-5), 1:30 p.m. -- Bulldogs have an awful lot to play for in their last two games, as mentioned above. Best scenario for them? I know this sounds weird — but it would be not winning a KCAC title. Figure this … if they were to win it would mean it’s a three-way co-championship. That means Friends and Ottawa both have one loss, and I think there’s no way Ottawa drops below Mac in the standings with a loss. That means no playoffs. Weird, right?

Saint Mary (2-6. 2-5) at Sterling (5-3, 4-3), 1:30 p.m. – Another year, another decent season from Sterling, with no playoffs. What gets them over the hump?

Tabor (0-8, 0-7) at Southwestern (2-6, 2-5), 1:30 p.m. – Dude, no way I thought The Jinx were sniffing three wins at this point. Consider this season a success for Southwestern, which breaks ground on a new stadium right after the final buzzer of this one. Party at Joey Falkoff’s!!!

‘The Dead Can’t Dance’ teaser

In Breathtaking Harmyvision | MySpace Video

KRIS BAUMANN

Don’t know if you caught my Jayhawk Conference previews, but in case you didn’t … here’s my men’s story on Garden City Community College coach Kris Baumann, and here’s my women’s story on Hutch shooting guard Heather Robben.

Impressions? Both came off well. Of course, if you’re ending up as our season preview story it usually means you’ve had some type of success. And with both subjects, they’re coming off Region VI titles … you get the point. And as for Baumann’s knickname, Bucket? He’s still not saying how he got it. Just the generic “my teammates and coaches gave it to me” line. Aside from that, I was happy with the story.

Friends redshirt freshman center Zak Vanlooy — a 7-footer from Michigan — is the subject of Tuesday’s KCAC men’s preview and UMKC transfer Jessica Halsig, who should be the man for Friends this year — is the women’s subject. Newman on Thursday.

Out.

PS — IF YOU’RE NOT WATCHING, YOU PROBABLY SHOULD.

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

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.

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:

MIAA

STEVE IVANISEVIC

FOOTBALL: Nobody deserved player of the week honors more than Washburn kicker Steve Ivanisevic, who almost kicked the Ichabods to the MIAA upset of the decade in a 22-19 OT loss at Northwest Missouri. Ivanisevic tied the school record for the second time this season with four FGs in the loss, including a 41-yarder as time expired to send it to OT. On defense, ESU linebacker Nathan Linsey was the player of the week after 14 tackles in a win over Truman. Quick interlude: What happens now at ESU? Is there a shake up at the top? The administration has shown, in the past, that there is an onus on winning. So when they’re this bad…

ARICA SHEPARD

VOLLEYBALL: Can anybody stop Arica Shepard? The senior All-American from Emporia State is having absolutely the kind of senior season the Hornets needed from her and is the hitter of the week in the MIAA once again. Question: if ESU can hold on and win its second straight MIAA title, isn’t she the Player of the Year? Or is it ESU setter Ting Liu again? Washburn’s Kate Hampson was the specialist of the week.

NEWMAN

CHRISTINA FARID

On the road, top 10 opponent, late in season? No problem for Newman women’s goalie Christina Farid, who led the Jets to a 1-0 win over No. 7 St. Edward’s last Friday in Austin, Texas. Farid, a Maize product, had seven saves in the upset and stopped a PK in overtime to earn Heartland Conference defensive player of the week honors. Newman men’s player Stephen Williams was the Heartland player of the week on D, also.

KCAC

SCOTT JONES

FOOTBALL: So you already know what Ethan Haller did to Saint Mary last week — hitting for 379 yards and 3 TDs while becoming Ottawa’s all-time passing leader. With the Braves at No. 7 and undefeated … is it too soon to start thinking about All-American honors for EH? And I don’t mean HM or 2nd team, which is nothing to sneeze at, but could the Big Kahuna come out of the KCAC? Dude’s gonna pass for over 4,000 this year and … if they run the KCAC table and win a playoff game (or two) how can you deny the man? McPherson’s Scott Jones was the defensive POW with 7 tackles — 4 for loss — and two sacks in a win over Southwestern. Jones is a nice player — 6-foot-4, 255 pound defensive ends will work on any level. Friends punter/kicker Drew Johnson, a Valley Center product, was the man on special teams.

VOLLEYBALL: So I guess Ashley Kraft is playing volleyball for Sterling. I’d like to officially file this under things I should have known but did not. It’s getting to be a thick file. Anyhow — AK was the KCAC offensive player of the week as the Warriors pulled a sweep of the weekly kudos with Kraft, Adriana Gonzales (setter) and Kelsey Deerinwater (special teams).

LAUREN PEIL

SOCCER: On the men’s side, Kansas Wesleyan’s Arturo Guizar was the offensive player of the week and KWU goalie Diego Millan was the defensive winner. For the women, McPherson’s Haley Cook scored three goals in two matches to win offense and Campus product Lauren Peil pitched two shutouts in goal for Ottawa to win on defense. Peil, just a sophomore, is having another great year, and I’m assuming a 5-foot-11 goalie in women’s soccer is a nice advantage to have.

JAYHAWK

There’s a game this weekend, right? Something about nationall ranked teams … something or another I just can’t put my finger on it … help me out, will ya?

JOHN ROBLES

FOOTBALL: I’m funny, right? Two guys that will play a big part in Saturday’s game will be Ross Dausin, the Butler QB, and Fort Scott RB Justin Woods. They share offensive player of the week honors, so there’s that. On defense, it was Coffeyville DE John Robles, who looks like a pretty happy guy, and Ginormous Fort Scott DT Anthony White.

VOLLEYBALL: In four matches, Hutch’s Kate Morrell averaged almost five blocks per game — going 3, 4, 6, 6. That’s called consistency, brothers and sisters. And for that, she took home co-player of the week honors with Seward’s Sheina Fernandes.

That’s all I got. Time to go work on my Harrison Dreiling feature for Saturday … here’s a pic of the man in action to hold you over until then. TA

HARRISON DREILING

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