STORY BY TRISTAN SASSE
PHOTOS BY MARISSA CASTANOS
In arguably the biggest game in history for Fort Hays State University football, the No. 6 Tigers (9-0) traveled to Maryville, Missouri to clash with NCAA Division II perennial powerhouse, the No. 8 Northwest Missouri State Bearcats (8-1).
Already tied for the best ranking in school history, the Tigers were planning on spoiling the Bearcats Senior Day and improving to 10-0 for the first time in program history. A season ago, the Bearcats defeated FHSU 28-7.
Additionally, NWMSU was looking to heal the wounds acquired last week after a stunning loss at Pittsburg State. The loss snapped a 38-game winning streak by the Bearcats that began at the start of the 2015 season. Entering Saturday, the Bearcats also had a 23-game home winning streak on the line.
In one of the more exciting games in recent memory, the Tigers would go on to defeat the Bearcats 13-12. The Tigers improved to 10-0 and claimed their first MIAA conference championship, while Northwest fell to 8-2 and lost consecutive games for the first time since 2001. For the Bearcats, the last home loss prior to Saturday came on October 18, 2014.
On the afternoon, the Bearcats offense outgained FHSU 318 to 251 on total yards, had eight more first downs (19-11), but had more penalties (NWMSU had 6 for 65 yards, FHSU had 2 for 21 yards), and also threw three detrimental interceptions.
The Tigers defense was a major factor on Saturday. FHSU not only forced three turnovers, but they forced 10 punts. NWMSU was also 5 for 20 on third down conversions.
Jose Delgado and Tanner Hoekman led the Tiger defense with 11 tackles each. Doyin Jibowu, Connor Shedeed, and Harley Hazlett each had an interception for the Tigers.
Offensively, Mezera completed 12 of 28 attempts for 180 yards and a touchdown. Hazlett led all receivers with 84 yards on three receptions. Monterio Burchfield also had three receptions for 71 yards. Kenneth Iheme led the ground game with 89 yards on 24 carries.
For Northwest, Zach Martin completed 16 of 31 attempts for 100 yards and an interception. Jonathan Baker was successful on 12 of 19 attempts for 111 yards and a touchdown but threw two interceptions.
To begin, the first quarter was a defensive battle, with a combined five punts (NWMSU-3, FHSU-2), 94 yards of offense (NWMSU-74, FHSU-20), four first downs (NWMSU-3, FHSU-1) and two fourth down conversions (both by NWMSU).
The two fourth down conversions for the Bearcats continued a drive that resulted in a 28-yard field goal by Parker Sampson with 14:08 left in the second quarter.
The Tigers responded on the ensuing drive with a 48-yard field goal by Brandon Brown. The 8-play, 34-yard drive included a 15-yard reception by Burchfield on third-and-14 and a 16-yard reception by Drew Kite.
The field goals were the lone highlights offensively in the first half and the Tigers and Bearcats went into the locker room tied at 3.
NWMSU had a total of 40 plays in the first half for 125 yards and five first downs. FHSU had 29 plays for 75 yards, but only three first downs. Neither team forced a turnover in the opening half and Northwest had the only penalty. Additionally, FHSU forced seven punts, while the Bearcats forced five.
For the Tigers, Mezera completed 6 of 15 passes in the first half for 42 yards. Mezera’s six completions were to six different receivers. Iheme led the rushing attack with nine carries for 29 yards.
For the Bearcats, Martin had 64 passing yards while completing 11 of 20 attempts. Martin also added 23 rushing yards and Jordan Grove added an additional 23.
On the first play of the second half, Iheme sparked the Tigers offense for a 52-yard run. Shortly after, Brown finished the drive with a 36-yard field goal to give FHSU their first lead. Jibowu intercepted a pass on the following drive for the Tigers. The interception was Jibowu’s fifth of the season.
FHSU led 6-3 going into the final quarter, but the Bearcats were advancing in Tiger territory.
At the beginning of the fourth, the Tigers forced the Bearcats to punt and took over possession from their own 6-yard line. On third-and-10 from the six, Mezera found Burchfield for a 27-yard reception. The Tigers would be forced to punt a few plays later.
On the ensuing Tiger possession, Mezera found Hazlett for a 66-yard score on the second play of the drive to give FHSU a 13-3 lead. The Bearcats weren’t out of the game yet. After completing two third downs and a fourth down conversion, Baker connected with Quincy Woods for a 21-yard touchdown with 3:19 remaining.
NWMSU forced a three-and-out and regained possession with under two minutes left. The Bearcats picked up three first downs on the drive, but with a little over a minute remaining, Connor Shedeed picked off Baker’s pass attempt. Once the Tigers regained possession, the Bearcats forced a three-and-out, and punter Dante Brown ran out of the back of the end zone for a safety.
On the final play of the game, Hazlett intercepted Baker’s hail mary attempt and the Tigers would go on to win 13-12 and claim the conference championship.
Next week, Fort Hays will return home for the final game of the regular season against Nebraska-Kearney (3-7). The Bearcats will travel to St. Joseph, Missouri to face in-state rival, the Missouri Western Griffons.
