BY MAKENNA ALLEN<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Tigers are on a roll with a winning streak of seven games after their 66-6 victory over Lincoln last week. This Saturday, FHSU returns home for a big game with big playoff implications. The opponent: the 8-1 Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats. The Tigers are seeking their third consecutive victory over the team. However, this will not be an easy feat.
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Stats:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The last two times the teams met, the Tigers emerged victorious by a single point margin. Both times, the Fort Hays team won the battle within the final minutes of play. The team expects that this year will be no different. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a dog fight,\u201d linebacker, Kolt Trachsel, said. \u201cWe know it\u2019s going to come down to a handful of plays to beat Northwest. We\u2019re expecting a pretty good game here Saturday.\u201d If the Tigers can pull out yet another win against the Bearcats, they will be able to accomplish a feat not achieved since Pittsburg State took down the Bearcats in 2004 during the regular season and playoffs and then again during the regular season of 2005. To aid in reaching this goal, the Tigers carry the momentum of a record-breaking game against Lincoln last week. The 66-points the Tiger offense put up against the Lions proved to be a new school record for the team during their MIAA era. The team as a whole also set a new school record of 34 first downs. Individually, wide receiver, Harley Hazlett, broke a career record for receptions as he now records 173. For Tigers\u2019 head coach, Chris Brown, these records are reflective of an entire group effort. \u201cIt\u2019s a team effort. You can\u2019t do it without these guys that are around you,\u201d Brown said. \u201cIf you didn\u2019t have the guys that are around you, those things wouldn\u2019t happen.\u201d Even as Brown expressed his pride in his individual players, the Northwest team rallied to break their own set of school records during their blowout game against Northeastern State University last week. The Bearcats managed to shut out the Riverhawks 79-0, scoring their largest margin of victory in school history. The Northwest defense held their opponent to just 130-yards of total offense during the game while they racked up 621-yards of their own. This season, the team averages 48.0-points per game. Their total average offense of 459.4-yards per game is made up of 245.8-yards on the ground and 213.6 passing yards. For the Tigers, this versatile offense presents one of the greatest challenges of the week\u2019s game. \u201cThey don\u2019t stick to one thing,\u201d Trachsel said. \u201cThey like to do a lot of different things so it\u2019s kind of hard to key off of different motions, different formations that they have.\u201d The Bearcat offense is not the only aspect of the team upon which the Tigers must focus as they prepare. In fact, the Northwest defense creates another set of challenges for the Fort Hays offensive line. According to Brown, the Bearcat defense is quick off the ball and is skilled in getting players on the ground. With that knowledge, he prepares his offensive line to stand their ground. \u201cWe\u2019ve just got to be ready for the initial surge,\u201d Brown said. \u201cIf we can be ready for that, I think we\u2019ll be fine.\u201d The Tigers have good reason to ready themselves for this initial surge that has taken many MIAA teams this season. Indeed, the Bearcats are 8-1 for the season, with their only loss to the University of Nebraska-Kearney. Northwest Missouri is ranked No. 7 in Super Region 3 of the Division II Super Region Rankings. The Tigers sit three places outside the playoffs at No. 10. Both teams fell one spot this week despite recording blowout wins. However, several tough matchups within the top teams of the region could turn the tide for the Tigers. No matter what, the Fort Hays team must be able to defeat the Bearcats this weekend if they want to make the playoffs for the third straight year. Brown believes that this will happen when his team focuses on the job before them. \u201cWe\u2019ve just got to take care of business. If we take care of business and do what we\u2019re supposed to do, there\u2019s a plan in place,\u201d Brown said. \u201cGod has a plan for everything. If that\u2019s getting to the playoffs, it\u2019s in the playoffs. If it\u2019s not, it\u2019s not but all we\u2019ve got to worry about is taking care of ourselves.\u201d For the Tigers to take care of themselves, they have to be able to recognize some of the key players that will try to help the Northwest team on their way to the playoffs. Key Players:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The first of these standout players is senior defensive lineman, Zach Pierce. Following his performance in the game against the Riverhawks, Pierce was named MIAA\u2019s football Co-Defensive Player of the Week. During last week\u2019s game, Pierce had four tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a quarterback sack, and a forced fumble. Pierce is not the first Bearcat to receive MIAA honors this season. Several weeks ago, senior tight end, Marqus Andrews, was named MIAA Offensive Player of the Week. Linebacker, Sam Phillips, was also named Defensive Player of the Week. Several other players joined the list earlier in the season including defensive back, Jerrel Green, wide receiver, Imoni Donadelle, and placekicker, Parker Sampson. Additionally, quarterback, Braden Wright, received MIAA honors after passing for a career-high of 278-yards against Washburn early in the season. While the Tigers must be aware of these skilled players, this week\u2019s game presents a time for students and athletes alike to honor the seniors of the Fort Hays football program. For Brown, this is a weekend to recognize the contributions that each of these players has made to the team. \u201cI want to pack the house for them because they\u2019re special and they\u2019ve really done a lot,\u201d Brown said. \u201cThis should be the winningest group of seniors coming through here in school history. They make this thing go. They\u2019ve been great leaders.\u201d With that in mind, Brown hopes for a full house to support a greater cause than just the Tiger team this weekend. Come out and honor the seniors of the Fort Hays football program this Sat., Nov. 9, at Lewis Field Stadium. Don\u2019t miss the ceremony or kickoff that is set for 2:00 p.m. BY MAKENNA ALLEN The Tigers are on a roll with a winning streak of seven games after their 66-6 victory over Lincoln last week. 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