BY MAKENNA ALLEN
There are just three weeks left in the regular season of MIAA Division II football and for the 6-2 Tigers, and every game counts. This week, the team heads for Jefferson City, Mo. to take on the 1-7 Lincoln University Lions.
While the Tigers are fresh off a 37-31 victory against the University of Nebraska-Kearney Lopers, the Lions fall at the opposite end of that momentum. Last week, the Lions lost 56-9 to nationally ranked Northwest Missouri State University. The Lions have struggled within the conference this season, with their only victory just two weeks ago against Northeastern State University.
However, Tigers’ head coach, Chris Brown, suggests that the Lions’ record should be no excuse for his team to let up on their preparation efforts.
“This next week, as a coach you get scared because Lincoln hasn’t done real well in our conference,” Brown said. “It can be one of those games where we come in and relax and they get us.”
With this mindset, the Tigers take a close look at the stats associated with the Lincoln University team.
Stats:
This season, the Lions average 12.25-points per game, compared to the Tigers who average 33.1-points this season. The Lion offense operates primarily on the ground as the team averages 192.2 rushing yards per game. Though the Tigers fall below this average with 138.2-yards per game, Fort Hays averages nearly five times the per-game passing yardage of Lions (314.2-yards to 55.88-yards).
During last week’s game against Northwest Missouri, the Lions remained fairly true to these trends. Even when matched against the team ranked No. 14 in the AFCA Division II poll, the Lions managed 173 total offensive yards. Their defense also marked a pick-six and a sack during the game.
The pick-six by linebacker, Vontavius Thacker, gave the Lions a 7-0 lead early in the game. This lead was short-lived, however as Northwest Missouri tied the game at 7-7 before pulling away to outscore the Lions 28-0 during the second quarter.
Key Players:
Despite last week’s loss, several Lions players found success on the field. In addition to Thacker’s pick-six, defensive end, Michael Smith, recorded a sack. Quan Mason also recorded a safety.
During the game, quarterback, Chancellor Johnson, completed 10 passes for 66-yards. Wide receiver, Jerrin McKeithen caught four of those passes for 35-yards. On the ground, running back, Hosea Franklin, led the offense with 47-rushing yards. Meanwhile, on the defensive side of the ball, Thacker had six-tackles in addition to his pick-six.
Though Lincoln may have struggled against a powerful Bearcat team last week, Fort Hays fought its own battle at home against the Lopers.
During the course of that game, the Tiger offense had 275-yards of total offense during the first half alone. By the end of the game, the Tigers had accumulated 514-yards of total offense. Running backs, DJ Hickman and Charles Tigner, led the effort from the ground while quarterback, Chance Fuller, helped to compile the majority of this total offense.
Fuller threw for 435-yards during the game with completions on 28 of 38 attempts. Wide receiver, Manny Ramsey, was his main target for the day with a team high of 169-receiving yards. However, Fuller had seven other receiving targets including Layne Bieberle and Harley Hazlett. Fuller’s offensive effort proved enough to earn him the title of MIAA Mammoth Turf Football Offensive Athlete of the week for the second week straight.
While Fuller led the offense to victory, defensive back, Tanner Hoekman stood out on defense with 11 tackles. Linebacker Kolt Traschel followed closely with 10.
The Weeks Ahead:
Though last week’s Tiger victory moved the team to a record of 6-2, Fort Hays currently sits at No. 9 in Super Region 3 of the NCAA Division II Super Region Rankings. Ultimately, at the end of regular season play, the top seven teams will progress to playoffs.
The season is far from over for the Tigers, however, as many key games for other teams could shift the rankings. Indeed, the Tigers themselves must face a 7-1 Northwest Missouri team in just two week’s time.
However, Brown emphasizes the fact that the team cannot look ahead past the game directly before them.
“We’ve got to be focused this week and focus on Lincoln and not looking towards Northwest,” Brown said. “We need to prepare ourselves like we’re preparing for anyone else and go down there and have a good football game.”
As Brown helps his team to “lock in” on their next opponent, Tiger fans can prepare for the action by tuning in to the game with an MIAA Network Subscription or by following live updates on the Fort Hays State University Athletics website. No matter how you keep up with the team, don’t miss kickoff set for Sat., Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m.