SHANE WILSON

They did it.

The Emporia State women’s basketball team, in epic fashion, took home the crown jewel of the nation – the National Championship trophy.

I’ve said it in the past, believing myself for the most part, but it turned out to be true. This team had the potential to do extraordinary things, and they did just that last Friday night in St. Joseph, Mo.

Big time players come up with big time plays late into March, and that certainly was the case for this Emporia State team over the course of the six-game 2010 postseason. Brittney Miller, Cassondra Boston and Alli Volkens all made the Elite Eight All-Tournament team, with Volkens capturing the MVP award.

Each player contributed something special to ESU’s magical run to the National Championship. Miller provided excellent on-ball defense and, with her ability to create around the basket, allowed her team to score in more ways than usual. Boston, the natural leader of the team, was nearly lethal when driving to the hoop – something those who have followed her throughout her tenure as a Hornet will surely miss. Boston’s efforts throughout the season earned her several All-American selections from various outlets across the country.

Volkens was on an entirely different level. She was in the zone. She was a forced to be reckoned with on the low block. After looking at her stat sheet (and the MVP award), it’s hard to argue that even her presence in the paint changed the course of the game.

Volkens was unreal.

Needless to say, these three women couldn’t have done the job alone. A truly gifted supporting cast stepped up and made big plays when they needed to in every facet.

For instance, Rachel Hanf’s three consecutive three-pointers all but sealed the deal for the Hornets on their way to defeating Ft. Lewis in the final game of the season. While Boston was forced to sit on the bench due to foul trouble, Lacy Corker provided steady production and reliability at the point. Even Jocelyn Cummings, who had seen sparse minutes throughout the season, came off the bench and provided a spark for the Hornets when they needed it in both the quarters and the semis.

It should also go without saying that the key players and the supporting cast couldn’t have gone as far as they did without leadership and a great game plan from the head coach. In the Elite Eight, Brandon Schneider coached three masterpieces in a row – always knowing when to substitute, who to substitute, who to call on for a big play. It was evident that Schneider’s experience and preparation with this team paid off in a big way.

The Emporia State faithful even played a significant role in the domination of Ft. Lewis. The Civic Arena in St. Joseph was packed with ESU students, faculty, alumni and just plain fans of the game to see the Hornets win.

The place was so loud due to the fans’ chants and cheers, rants and raves that I think both teams got the message: Emporia State isn’t leaving Missouri without a championship.

I think we know how the rest goes.

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SHANE WILSON

It’s all or nothing from here on out.

That is what’s probably on the mind of every Emporia State men’s basketball player right about now. If I were in the same predicament, it would definitely be in the forefront of my mind. Let me reiterate.

It’s all or nothing from here on out.

In the most epic of circumstances, this team came through to get to postseason play. With a trip to the MIAA Tournament on the line, ESU beat hated rival Washburn – in overtime, no less. The stakes were high, and this team shined like it hadn’t all season long.

So now what?

You’d think after a game like the last one against Washburn, this men’s team could just go home and relax. Take a break. Think about something else. Maybe even wax nostalgic about what a great game that was.

Not hardly.

It should be every apparent that a trip to the MIAA Tournament is serious business. The winner of the tournament receives the conference’s automatic bid to play in the regional tournament – and a chance to continue their season.

I’d have a hard time believing anyone involved in the MIAA Tournament is taking it easy in light of the implications. Don’t be fooled – this Emporia State men’s basketball team is probably preparing like their livelihood depends on it.

That’s because it does.

One loss in the tournament signifies the end of the road. The hopes and dreams for that team, particularly the seniors, will be dashed with a single blemish on the tournament bracket. The winner, however, will have the opportunity to fight another day.

I think the “win or go home” attitude can’t possibly be overstated.

I know many of you are thinking that this team is not prepared to do battle in the conference tournament. With a loss like the team had against Ft. Hays State less than a week ago (47-94), it’s hard to imagine a successful outcome for the Hornets come Friday when they face – you guessed it – Ft. Hays State.

What people don’t realize is that it is very difficult for a team to beat another team more than once in a season, let alone three times. Don’t let the recent 3-0 run from the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys over the Philadelphia Eagles lead you to believe different.

When the Hornets face off against the Tigers of Ft. Hays State, it will be quite the skirmish. Hays is playing for the right to continue on in the MIAA Tournament, too. The game will be close, and when you see the look in an Emporia State player’s eyes, you might just know what it is now: determination. Determination and fear. Not the kind of fear that turns your head away from a scary movie, the kind of fear that pushes you to the edge of excellence. Or failure.

It’s all or nothing from here on out.

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SHANE WILSON

Where’s the love for Division II?

It’s pretty easy to find information on virtually every NCAA Division I team in the country. The Entertainment Sports Programming Network (ESPN) has a bevy of information, stats and otherwise, readily available for anybody who wishes to view it. In-depth analysis, previews, reviews and even live coverage are at the fingertips of every sports lover who has a television or the internet.

Why is that sort of information harder to access for Division II?

There’s really only one answer I could think of – money.

Division I schools are typically the more high profile institutions with high enrollment numbers and big time sports programs. These colleges bring in big bucks when it comes to sports revenue – ticket sales are just a portion of the thousands of dollars these schools bring in. With a larger alumni pool, there’s more of an opportunity for donors contributing to a program’s facilities, scholarships, etc.

It’s simple when you first think about it. Larger schools who are members of bigger conferences like the ACC, SEC, Pac 10 or the Big XII bring in the big bucks.

Does that mean these schools hold more entertainment value?

I think not.

The obvious differences in competition aside, Division II sports provide an excellent opportunity for athletes and fans alike to participate in the art of sport. Athletes who did not have the opportunity to participate in the upper echelon of their respective sports have the chance to be a part of something bigger than themselves, albeit on a smaller stage.

Sports enthusiasts who enjoy a more “pure” form of the game can marvel at the sights and sounds of Division II sports. Athletes who engage in this competition are less likely to be centrally motivated by money or fame.

It’s really too bad that ESPN, the self proclaimed “Worldwide Leader in Sports,” doesn’t have a good pulse on Division II. There are rankings and the occasional story or two on the Web site, but it just isn’t good enough.

The argument is similar, in part, to the market debate in professional sports. Take a large market team like the Philadelphia Eagles, who have seen their ups and downs over the past few decades, and compare them to a small market team like the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles play in a larger market than most, allowing them more consistent coverage and exposure. The Chiefs, on the other hand, play in a small market, hampering their ability to consistently bring in big name free agents and gain a steady dose of national exposure.

Philadelphia represents Division I. Big money markets, big money schools – same difference. The small-market Chiefs are similar to Division II. Less exposure and revenue usually equals less highly-touted recruits.

The assumption is a smaller school can’t produce entertaining, highly competitive sporting events.

I’d like to hear someone who has watched an MIAA basketball game say that.

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SHANE WILSON

The basketball season is coming to a swift end. The final few games of the season are within mere weeks and talks about postseason play are becoming abundant. The MIAA Tournament is inching closer, which begs a few questions.

Will the ESU women get the number one seed for the tournament?

Will the men even make the tournament?

The women almost seemed destined for the number one seed, as they solely control their destiny in doing so. The only possible hiccup, in my mind, for the Hornets in getting the top seed could be the Feb. 24 game against Washburn – luckily for ESU, the game is at home.

The number one seed would secure the easiest route for the Hornets to play through to the championship game, which could have huge implications for ESU and other teams, alike. The winner of the conference championship game earns the MIAA’s automatic bid to the South Central Regional – and a step closer to nationals.

I’m not saying these last few games for the ESU women should be overlooked, by any means. Higher ranked teams have often overlooked lower ranked teams and paid the price for it. This could be costly, in more ways than wins and losses, for this team.

The ESU men, on the other hand, have an entirely different scenario before them. They currently sit at ninth in the league, with only Pittsburg State and Truman having worse conference records than Emporia State. The kicker is this – only six teams are allowed to play in the MIAA Tournament.

This set of circumstances doesn’t bode well for the ESU men.

As it stands now, Missouri Western is the last team to get the invite to the conference tourney with an 8-8 record. Three other teams – Northwest Missouri State, Washburn and Emporia State – have seven conference wins.

This bulge in the middle of the MIAA only means that we will have to wait until the end of the season to find out who gets to go to the MIAA Tournament.

Emporia State, it seems, probably has the toughest road to travel in order to get to postseason play. A home game against Washburn and an away game against nationally-ranked Ft. Hays State separate ESU from that opportunity.

Hopefully for the Hornets, the taste of the 73-42 loss at Washburn earlier this season is gone.

Perhaps the Hornets can make it happen. Their recent play looks like a step in the right direction. The ESU men look like their in a groove – most of the roster is healthy and in good form, something that had been missing earlier in the season. The key will be for all of them to play collectively as one unit, one team. When that happens, this team can do some pretty spectacular things.

Only time will tell.

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SHANE WILSON

Three-point shooting can make or break a team.

            Just ask the ESU women’s basketball team, and they will tell you how big of a factor a shot from beyond the arc is in a conference game.

            For instance, the team hit an MIAA record 20 three-pointers against Missouri Western on Jan. 27. The ultra impressive performance gave the Hornets a 110-68 win over the Griffons.

            In contrast, ESU hit only 2-20 three-pointers in a disappointing loss to Central Missouri on Feb. 3, 64-60. The loss broke a 14-game winning streak.

            How can a good team depend on the three-ball so often and be successful?

            They can’t.

            Every shot in basketball is a risk. The closer the shooter is to the basket, the lower the risk and vice versa. When a team shoots multiple times from long range, the risk becomes exceedingly apparent each and every time.

            When the three-pointer goes down, everything is fine. When it doesn’t, however, a multitude of problems arise from a variety of critics.

Fans tend to see excessive three-point shooting as a sloppy, inefficient way to handle an offensive possession, and rightfully so for the most part. Some people fail to see the reward outweighing the risk.
            Games like the one the Hornets played against Missouri Western come few and far between. There’s a reason why records aren’t broken very often – they are almost out-of-reach milestones that take a special team on a special day to overtake.

Games like the one the Hornets played against Central Missouri are more common. Emporia State shot less than 10 percent from beyond the arc – it’s not uncommon for teams to shoot below 20 percent on a regular basis.

My point is this: it’s nearly impossible for a team to rely solely on consistent three-point shooting and be successful.

Thankfully for the Hornets, other options are available.

Junior forward Alli Volkens has an impressive low post game on the offensive end, and junior forward Negesti Taylor is improving her offensive prowess each and every game. Some teams don’t have the luxury of one solid 5-man, let alone two.

The dribble-drive is another option the Hornets fancy but sometimes not enough. Senior guards Cassondra Boston and Sophia Lenard excel when driving to the basket off of solid screens. What better way to combat a zone defense when the three-ball isn’t falling than to attack the seams.

The game after the Hornets lost to Central Missouri, the team used a balanced attack of offensive production in the paint and mid-range jumpers to defeat a hot shooting Nebraska-Omaha squad. There’s no reason why this Hornets team can’t use multiple approaches to bring down anyone they face.

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Shane Wilson

While National Signing Day was abuzz on national television networks around the country, ESU also got a taste of the action, as the Emporia State football team announced their signing day class yesterday, headed by 17 incoming freshman and seven transfer players.

At first glance, the class looks very impressive. Three 2-star recruits according to various recruiting Web sites (ESPN Insider, Scouts, Inc. and Rivals.com) and other notables are making their way to Emporia this fall to continue the Hornets’ rich football tradition. Some of the transfer players are already enrolled in classes at ESU, giving them a step ahead in the playing time battle.

The thing that impressed me the most about this signing class is the amount of players that were brought in who play non-skilled positions. It’s widely known that to build a solid football program, you have to start from the inside out.

You have to start with offensive and defensive linemen.

The big guys in the trenches add an element to a football team few people think about – stability. The offensive and defensive line serve the most unappreciated, overlooked, yet one of the most important roles for a football team, especially a young one. If a team has no one to protect the quarterback or stuff the run up the middle, that team is destined to fail.

Now it goes without saying, you simply can’t just field a team solely with linemen (although I’m sure some of them wouldn’t mind getting a carry or two every now and then). Skill position players are a valuable asset as well. I’d like to see a team try and field an extra-point team without a competent kicker…and you would have seen one this past season if you had watched an ESU football game.

But don’t fret – a kicker happens to be on this year’s signing list.

Quite a few of the incoming skill players are transfers from other institutions. This is great news for the Hornets faithful, as experience in these areas especially is always important. Experience is one thing this Emporia State team hasn’t had enough of recently, and an influx of talented, experienced players could turn this team into a well-led unit of football players.

Whether or not this class will produce on the field remains to be seen. However, each individual’s personal accomplishments on and off the field, on paper at least, have led them to the Emporia State football program. The Hornets’ coaching staff placed enough trust in these players to allow them to compete for a prominent role in their program, a role that can feasibly make or break this program and Higgins’ legacy at ESU.

We’ll have to wait until the fall to find out.

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Shane Wilson

As of late, several conversations with Emporia State men’s basketball coach David Moe have led to the same few phrases being said over and over. Moe has admitted several times that his team is “not well prepared” and “not coached very well.”

A red flag went up in my mind after each occurrence.

Now we have to understand – it’s very commendable for a coach to step up and take responsibility for a team’s mishaps. Not very often do the anointed leaders of a team rise above the criticism and take the blame for a team’s losing ways.

One thing I don’t understand, however, is how a coach can continually take sole responsibility for a losing season and there not be much concern about it.

The men’s basketball team is loaded with ballers. The talent level of this team alone should be capable of a winning season. A senior-laden team as this one can dominate the game – and we’ve seen just that from time to time.

Take, for instance, the games versus Central Missouri and Ft. Hays State. The opposing teams were ranked in the top five in the nation at the time ESU played them. Despite the difference in ranking, Emporia State played each team neck and neck, down to the wire. Even though ESU lost both games, it was still worth noting how well the team played while facing far superior teams, on paper at least.

Now take, for instance, the last game versus Northwest Missouri. While the team took a 16-point lead in the second half, they couldn’t hold on for long and lost to a ho-hum Bearcats team.

So where’s the connection?

A well coached team doesn’t play down to their competition. A well coached team plays together and uses their collective talents to smother their opponent.

At times, this Emporia State men’s basketball team doesn’t look like it is well coached.

The inconsistencies that are on display when this team plays are ever apparent. Great plays are followed up by boneheaded ones on a regular basis. And the kicker is this – in conversations with some of the players on the team, not one of them can explain where the true problem lies. Yes, some offer possibilities in not valuing possessions and playing poor transition defense.

The problem of poor preparation is not one easily noticed, especially when you’ve been in the routine for some time.

I’m not saying the problem is Moe, only Moe and nothing but the Moe. And I’m certainly not advocating for his removal. I’m simply saying this – if a team loaded with talent is not performing up to par, shouldn’t there be someone, anyone, in the administration looking into the situation?

With these frequent admissions from Moe, I would say there’s definitely something to examine.

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Shane Wilson

With the semester coming to a halt, I felt it important to take some time to talk about a couple of fall sports teams’ seasons.

Let’s start with football. It’s hard for me to look at the body of work the football team produced and be satisfied with the end result. A 2-9 season never looks impressive now matter how you spin it. Granted, there were a select few glimmers of hope – the season-opener win versus Southwestern Oklahoma State saw a young, invigorated team achieve early success and excite a naïve fanbase, and that nail-biter game against Central Missouri looked to send the Hornets on their way to a productive season, win or lose…or so one thought.

With the quarterback situation ESU dealt with this year, it’s really no wonder why the team faced so much adversity. I can’t imagine how any sort of chemistry was created with the offensive line having to listen to a different signal caller every other game, let alone how the team was supposed to have any semblance of an offensive rhythm.

But hey, sometimes that’s how things work in football – a player goes down and the next guy in line comes in, trying to make chicken salad out of chicken…well you get the picture.

I’m one of those few with high hopes for the football team next year. The younger players will greatly benefit from another year in the program, and although the team is losing a few key players, I’m sure Higgins is doing a heck of a job recruiting as we speak. Senior Danny McEvoy said that Higgins is the best recruiter he’s ever seen.

I’ll take his word for it.

On to volleyball. The team, riding high off their MIAA Championship from a season ago, didn’t fair as well this year. I know what you’re thinking: how can a team that finishes with a record of 29-5 not have done so hot? A simple answer. This team had the potential to do incredible things, things way beyond their second place finish in the MIAA and the first round loss of regional competition.

As far as the players themselves go, there were a few surprises. I’ll be frank – junior Ting Liu had an off year. She just didn’t seem to be the same setter she was a year ago when she garnered First Team All-MIAA and All-American honors. Fortunately for her and the rest of the team, Liu will have another year to prove her worth on the volleyball court.

On a different note, senior Arica Shepard was flat out amazing. Shepard will leave Emporia State as the school’s record holder in career kills, kills per set average, attempts, 20-plus kills matches and double-figure kill matches, along with being fourth all-time in digs. She also earned Third Team All-American honors in 2008 and was named Second Team All-American this year. A player like Shepard is one who will be remembered at White Auditorium for years to come.

A disappointing season aside, there were some highlights that showed some really encouraging things for the future of the program. Freshman Katelyn Schmidtberger showed flashes of great play here and there, and with a little time, will most likely become a solid contributor and leader for the team down the road. Another freshman, Caitlyn Murray, added some excellent minutes for the Hornets throughout the year and will see her playing time jump significantly in the coming years.

It was an interesting fall sports season, to say the least. There were a few ups and a few too many downs than I’d prefer. From a sports writer’s perspective, it’s easy to write about a winning team doing just that – winning game after game. But it’s when a team faces uncertain trials and tribulations that challenge us to search for positives in an environment full of the opposite.

Shane Wilson/The Bulletin

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Shane

Basketball season is finally upon us. Call me “giddy” if you want, but the sound of basketballs bouncing off of a wooden court gets me all sorts of pumped for another year of round ball.

I’d call it old fashioned, but that’s just me.

Emporia State offers an incredibly competitive level of basketball, both men’s and women’s, something I’m sure is looked over far too often at public and private universities around the country. Good basketball is hard to come by for some folks, and having the opportunity to watch some quality competition is something I’m definitely looking forward to. Hopefully the ESU faithful will come out strong in numbers to cheer on the student-athletes who have worked hard.

Surprisingly enough, there is quite a bit of support for the Hornets basketball squads – the women ranked fourth in the nation in attendance last year, averaging 2,051 fans per contest, while the men averaged 16^th in the nation, averaging 2,083 guests per game. Hell, the women have been in the top six in attendance 12 times. With that kind of support, it’s possible that White Auditorium could play host to some fantastic contests this season.

After watching last Tuesday’s women’s game against Benedictine, I can safely say that this team has the potential to do some extraordinary things. Even though the team is banged up along their front line, the squad still finds ways to score inside and crash the boards with force.

Players like sophomores Allie Volkens and Brittany Miller will help to solidify the front court with their size and athleticism. Senior Cassondra Boston is playing smart, experience-backed ball, and the freshman class is showing their true colors with some energetic minutes off of the bench. Even newcomer junior Negesti Taylor is making her presence known on the low block. Things are slowly falling in place for the young squad – the sky is truly the limit for those ladies.

The men’s team, coming off of an 18-10 season, look to improve their record a year ago by playing smart, physical basketball. The Hornets were picked in late October to finish third in the MIAA – something I’m sure the team truly hopes to outdo. The team had an impressive showing last Monday versus #16 Central Oklahoma, taking the Bronchos to two overtimes, only to lose the contest by a mere two points, 116-114. The senior-laden team just might turn some heads this season with that kind of play.

It’s probably easy to understand why I’m so excited.

While the competition might not be at the same level as in-state Division I schools KU or K-State, there’s still much to marvel at when considering the amount of talent and pure athleticism associated with the MIAA and even Division II as a whole. I’ve witnessed it first-hand – there’s enough heart and determination from these teams to go around. I encourage any and all of you to attend at least one home game this season. The opportunity to watch high tempo college basketball is one worthwhile.

Shane Wilson/The Bulletin

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Shane Wilson

The final football game of the season is upon us. It’s pretty hard to believe that just a few short weeks ago the season was getting started for the Hornets as they hosted Southwestern Oklahoma State. The victory looked to be a catalyst that would propel the team to many more victories down the stretch.

Unfortunately, we know that hasn’t been the case.

The Washburn Ichabods (7-3, 5-3) come to Emporia this Saturday with a full head of steam. The heated rivalry between Emporia State and Washburn will truly be a sight to see this weekend. Fans will be ranting and raving (hold your ears if you’re faint at heart), coaches will be barking out orders and players will be playing with all the heart and soul they can muster. This will be the 106^th meeting between the Hornets and Ichabods, which currently ranks as the most played active rivalry in the NCAA Division II.

Needless to say, the stakes are kind of high for both teams – but which team has more to gain from a victory?

I say the Hornets.

Let’s face it: the Hornets’ football season is practically over, save for this one game. At first glance, a win here might seem pointless for the future of the team this season, and you would be absolutely right – ESU would finish the year at a lousy record of 3-8, which probably seems like a failure of epic proportions.

Records aside, a win against Washburn would mean several things, several good things for the Hornets’ program.

First and foremost, the win would obviously be a great one for the senior class, as they play their last game at Welch Stadium. Trust me, senior day means a hell of a lot more when you walk away the victor.

Secondly, a win against Washburn would set the tone for a productive offseason. I can tell you from experience that entering offseason workouts on a positive note does wonders for a team’s spirit and optimism. After a win, the team would appear, at least, to be heading in a positive direction, which would silence a few critics (maybe) and possibly bring in a few extra recruits here and there. I’m sure the Hornets could use every ounce of this.

Finally, a win against Washburn would rejuvenate a campus and, ultimately, a town that has unfortunately grown too accustomed to a losing tradition in Welch Stadium as of late. No one likes a loser – go ask an Oakland Raiders fan how “pumped” they are towards the end of the NFL season. A good, ole fashion Ichabods beat down would raise the spirits of Hornets fans across campus and the town of Emporia – which, during these tough times, I’m sure is much needed.

Given the team’s current situation on offense, it’s going to be mighty difficult to put points up against Washburn – it’s painstakingly obvious. The Ichabods currently own a five-game winning streak against the Hornets. Who knows, maybe the streak will continue, and the losing ways will seem never ending.

Or maybe, just maybe, the streak will end, and we’ll all have something different to talk about.

Shane Wilson/The Bulletin

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Shane Wilson

Finally.

The Emporia State football team finally won another game. The Hornets had been on a seven game losing streak this season – their lone win came on Aug. 27 against Southwestern Oklahoma State. Alas, the team finally fired out of the gates and captured their second win of the season against Truman last Saturday.

Honestly, the Hornets’ dismal play on the field led me to believe that they weren’t going to win another game this season – but hey, I’m glad they proved me wrong. Maybe the taste of losing was too much for one game.

Losing is a staple of competition, even if it doesn’t belong to the glamour portion of competing. If there is a winner in an event, there most certainly has to be a loser. Unfortunately for the football team, the latter has been more prevalent as of late.

It’s easy for the fans and general public to point out the things that are going wrong for the Hornets – mediocre quarterback play along with untimely injuries and illness have plagued the team since the start. Youth definitely plays a factor in the sometimes poor decision-making abilities of the team as a whole. It’s easy to say, there aren’t many bright spots on this team.

What is not so easy is to pinpoint those problems and conceive feasible solutions to fix them. If the play calling is bad, then why not promote a new staff member to be the offensive coordinator? If recruiting is an issue, why not come up with different strategies that play to the possible future recruit’s interest? Perhaps a new strength and conditioning regimen is in order to help thwart possible injuries from occurring.

A variety of possibilities are available to aid this team – yet the Homecoming game is already upon us, which signals the near-end of the season for the Hornets.

The Griffons of Missouri Western will enter the city of Emporia on Saturday with a record of 7-2, 5-2 in the MIAA – the Hornets will have to play a perfect, and I mean  p-e-r-f-e-c-t, game in order to come away with a victory. Missouri Western is currently seated nicely at third in the MIAA, right behind Central Missouri at #2 and Northwest Missouri at #1.

If you’re Emporia State, how do you approach a game like this? What is it going to take to turn this group of student-athletes into champions?

I don’t have the answer. But somebody does. Someone within the football organization must have a plausible way to bring honor back to Welch Stadium.

Unfortunately, I don’t think a sloppy overtime win against Truman is going to be enough of a motivator to enable this team to play tough, assignment correct football – but hey, hopefully they prove me wrong.

Shane Wilson/The Bulletin

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