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

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:

JAWANZA POLAND

1. Jawanza Poland and Robert Goff ain’t playing this year

There you go. Five dudes (that I know of) transferred from Cowley to Hutch when Eck left — Cortez Barnes, Adonis Gantt, Garrius Holloman, Jawanza Poland and Robert Goff — only three get to play for the Blue Dragons this year. Cowley gave releases to the first three but not the last two. Here’s how I see it: The KJCCC rules on transfers are so jacked up that in this case, the people who suffer the most are the kids. Which leaves everybody with a bad taste in their mouth. I mean, come on … they judge these things on a case-by-case basis? Seriously? How is there not just a blanket rule? You transfer from one school to another within the Jayhawk and sorry bro, but you gotta sit a year unless their are some extremely extenuating circumstances. Don’t get me wrong, the first three players are nice, but the last two … they play and I say the Blue Dragons cruise to Region VI and maybe further. It’s like that. That being said, I don’t blame Cowley for not letting them play. Their decision was made within the rules, however …

2. There’s a lot of dissension about the rules

Mainly when it comes to the Jayhawk Shootout, video exchange and what I was just talking about. The media types had a layover in the conference room while we waited for the men’s coaches meeting to break up, so for some reason they went ahead and started the women’s coaches meeting in their while we were still in there. What can I say … it got pretty snippy. I don’t want to get into all the details out of respect to the parties involved, but there seems to be some conflicting ideas on how to exchange video/access to video/whatever. One coach even got up and explained the “unwritten rules” of tape exchange. Hey, I know there’s certain stuff you just don’t do, even though it’s not in the rulebook … but in this case I’d have to say all’s fair in Love and War … and video exchange. It got a little heated, which I liked. Wanna know who doesn’t like each other at these things? It’s easy, just look around the room and follow the laser beams shooting from one set of eyes to another.

DR. EVIL

3. The guy from Great Bend

Not really sure how to do this, so here it goes. In order, here’s what Barton men’s coach Craig Fletchall managed to talk about during his turn at the podium: Title 9/having H1N1/losing nine pounds/chest hair/Hobrecht (not always the easiest guy to talk to)/Obama/Something I just Googled and can’t put on a public forum/minor beefs with Coach Eck/e-mails from ex-girlfriends/Tom Saia/videos he lent to another coach/my fantasy football team/setting up betting pools on the Dodge City-Highland football game this weekend.

HEATHER ROBBEN

4. John Ontjes/Heather Robben

John Ontjes is locked in. The Hutchinson women’s coach earned some big-time Sunflower Slate love with his performance at media day — crisp and concise on the podium, sharp in the interview segment and there’s this — sophomore Brittney Chamberlin is out for the year with a torn ACL. She’s … a scrapper. If you’ve never seen her play you’re missing out ‘cuz she’s tough as nails and was a big reason why Andover Central went undefeated and won a state title two years ago and the Blue Dragons won Region VI last year. The way JO talked about her … you could tell dude really cares about his players. I don’t want to say he was beside himself upset, but if you’re wondering where the team gets its heart from, just look at the sideline. As long as he’s there, they’ll contend. Biggest shocker of the day? Learning Maize product and All-American Heather Robben got offered by TCU and decided to stay at Hutch this year.

Her and Ariella McGee both back? Game over in the west, maybe in the region.

KRIS BAUMANN

5. There’s always Bucket

Kris Baumann won a men’s Region VI title last year at Garden City, the first for the Broncbusters in 53 years. Straight up, he told me he thought he could do it but I didn’t believe him. Don’t know what to else to tell you … his story is incredible and I get to tell it, finally, this Sunday. I think it’s going to hit home not just with hoops fans, but everybody … because you know me, I’m always up for a good yarn.

So that’s Five to stay alive. I got plenty more but I don’t want to give away all my secrets. I’ll do a follow up with my top 10 JuCo players — men and women — sometime Sunday.

-I’m out

TA

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

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:

MIAA

CJ LOVETT LOVES ROLL CALL

FOOTBALL: Dane Simoneau was a no-brainer for the POW on offense after what he did to Pitt State — 362 yards passing & 5 TDs in just three quarters. But Out West, Fort Hays cornerback CJ Lovett continues to make his case as the league’s best (And don’t come at me with Myles Burnsides — it’s not 2008) with two picks in a win over Nebraska-Omaha. The kicker? The first pick was at the FHSU 2 and he returned it 53 yards to set up a TD. The second was in the FHSU endzone and tied Mike Allen (1987-1990) for the Tigers’ career int. record with 13. This is CJ’s third Player of the Week honor, with the first two coming on special teams. What’d you do this fall?

VOLLEYBALL: There’s a dogfight at the top of the MIAA standings, and with a ton of volleyball left to be played, nothing is certain. ESU swept Player of the Week honors with OH Arica Shepard and setter Ting Liu this week, and are in second place in league — 9-2 record — behind Central Missouri at 11-1. The Mules have a a 17-match winning streak that should be at 18 when they travel to ESU next Wednesday.

CROSS-COUNTRY: ESU also swept weekly honors here, with a pair of sophomores in Adam McGovern and Kaite Mona.

NEWMAN

HEATHER BALOGA

While hoops season can’t get here quick enough over off West Kellogg, there are some Jets who keep reeling in weekly Heartland Conference honors for their fall sports, namely Melissa Ortiz, who smashed her own 4K school record at the Ollie Isom Invite, where she finished fourth, right behind Mona. Women’s soccer player Mallory Hurst was the HC’s offensive player of the week after putting up two goals and two assists in a 5-0 win over Texas A&M-International. Defender Heather Baloga was the defensive POW for leading the charge against A&M and scoring a goal in a 1-1 tie with No. 18 Incarnate Word.

KCAC

STEPHEN HARRISON

FOOTBALL: Stephen Harrison … Bravo, young man, Bravo.

The senior wide receiver from McPherson not only took KCAC special teams Player of the Week, he hit ‘em up for NAIA national special teams honors, too. Stephen dropped 244 all-purpose yards on KWU in last Saturday’s 52-38 win, which included returning a kickoff 80 yards for a TD to open the second half. He’s fifth in the country in all-purpose yards at 177 per game. For the offensive and defensive POWS, we saw something we haven’t seen around these parts for a looooonnng time. Southwestern. QB Jordan Barrett was the man on offense after The Jinx upset Bethany, and Moundbuilders’ DB Nick Koch was the man on defense with two picks in the win.

ADDISON WOLF

VOLLEYBALL: First-place Tabor and second-place Friends go at it on Monday in Hillsboro in a match that could go a long ways towards determining the league champ. Until then, we’ve got Roll Call to tide us over. Friends’ Addie Petersen was the hitter of the week after the Chanute native helped the Falcons’ gut out a gruesome week of non-conference games. Bethel’s Addison Wolf was the libero of the week and Saint Mary’s Stephanie Wright took Hitter of the Week.

MEN’S SOCCER: Sterling’s Cuyler Prichard was the man on offense and 6-foot-5 McPherson defender Tank Tyler (yes, that’s really his name) was the defensive POW.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Ottawa isn’t going to lose to anybody in the KCAC this year. Point blank, period. They’re 6-0 and nobody is even threatening them on the way to their first league title since 2006. Forward Whitney Brown (offense) and defender Christie Johnson (defense) were the KCAC POWs.

CROSS COUNTRY: Friends junior Dan Neidlinger finisht 10th at the Isom Invite to win men’s honors, and KWU’s Crystal Stegman, a Salina native, finished sixth at the same invite to take women’s kudos.

JAYHAWK

KENDALL DAVIS

FOOTBALL: Heights product Kendall Davis was the NJCAA defensive player of the week after taking two picks TO THE HOUSE for the Blue Dragons in a rout of Air Force Prep last Saturday. I’m interested to see how HCC finishes out the season after a disastrous three-game skid that saw losses to Fort Scott, Butler and … Coffeyville. Mainly, is it even possible for the Blue Dragons to think about a bowl game at this point? I’ve got a lot of bowl questions, actually. But we’ll save that for a later date. Hutch RBs Chris Clay (181, 2 Tds) and Chris Anderson (160, TD) split offensive honors. Fort Scott DB Dennis Herbin split Jayhawk honors with Davis after his 4-Int performance against Highland.

HEAVEN ON EARTH? NO, IT'S JUST THE ADC.

VOLLEYBALL: Places I’d like to go … Arraial do Cabo, Brazil might be right up there. That’s where Hutch outside hitter Karol Marins is from, and she’s the KJCCC player of the week after leading the No. 13 Blue Dragons to wins over No. 9 Seward County and Pratt.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Under protest, I give you this. There can’t be five of them. Sorry, there just can’t.

MEN’S SOCCER: Ryan Richardson, Coffeyville. One man, one award. I like the logic.

I’m outta here … gotta go wait in line for Bon Jovi tickets.

TA

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.