The Hays Daily News from Hays, Kansas • Page 52

SUNDAY, AUGUST 17, 2008 HDNews.NET Bock to School 2008 M1M football at a IPfnTvNRy Of OMnrW IIWBCWH I LUUaUUn Returning starters 7 detensWI special teams emporia University Nickname Hornets Coach Oarfn Hlgglns (2nd year) Locatton Emporia 2007 MIAA finish -1-8 (9th) Preeeaeon coaches' pick -10th Returning starters 8 special teams Fort State University Nickname Tigers Coach Kevin Verdugo (4th year) Location Hays 2007 MIAA finish -2-7 (8th) Preseason coaches' pick 0th Returning starters 4 special teams Missouri Southern State University Nickname Lions Coach Bart Tatum (3rd year) Location Joplln, Mo. 2007 MIAA finish -4-5 (tie 6th) Preseason coaches' pick 7th Returning starters 8 special teams Western State University Nickname Griffons Coach Jerry Partridge (12th 'year) Location St. Joseph, Mo. 2007 MIAA finish -6-3 (tte I Preseason coaches' pick 5th Returning starters 9 of; special teams I University of Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks Coach Pat Behrns (15th lyear) Location Omaha, Neb. 2007 MIAA finish -Did not compete Preseason coaches' pick Returning starters 8 of- special teams Northwest Missouri State University Location Maryvllle, Mo.

2007 MIAA finish 9-0 (1st) Preseason coaches' pick 1st Returning starters 8 special teams Pttteburg State University Nickname Gorillas Coach Chuck Broyles (I9h yew) location -r Pittsburg 2007 MIAA finish -6-3 (tie Pooseason.coaches'ptok 3rd Ftatumino, starters 7 special teams Nickname BulldogsA Coach Shannon yaw) Location Klrkevliie, Mo, 2007 MIAA finish -4-5 (tte coaches' pick 8th arters 8 pf- 9. special teams University Ichabods Craig Schurlg (7th 7-2 (2nd) coaches' pick 4th Jlitajning starter? 8 of- special team? FOOTBALL FROM F1 "The style of passing game will be a little bit different than what you've seen from us in the past," Verdugo said. "It will be a little bit more vertical." The Tigers also look to have more speed both out of the backfield and in the receiving corps. With senior returner Bryan Haynes returning, and through recruiting, Verdugo said the Tigers' explosive-play ability should increase. In the backfield, the graduation of four-year player Jordan Hickel left a void, but looks to be filled by an array of young talent.

Junior Jacobb Irvin and senior Denzel Black return after seeing considerable time last season, while newcomers A.J. Willis, Daniel Moore, and Anthony Dickson bring some speed to the backfield. Willis, a true freshman from Desert View High School in Tuscon, and Dickson, a transfer from Los Angeles Valley Community College, both spent time among the top running back recruita in the nation, according to rivals.com. "We've improved at quite a few positions," Verdugo said. "I wanted someone (at QB) that had been a winner.

We were able to get someone that quarterbacked a national championship. He comes here with a high level of success and that's contagious." Anything above what the Tigers did last season on offense would be an improvement. Fort Hays, which finished 4-7 overall (a 3-win improvement from the previous season, and 2-7 in the MIAA STEVEN HAUSLER HAYS DAILY NEWS FHSU's Grant Brown, right, and Trent Goodman run through drills on the first day of practice Aug. 8 at Lewis Field Stadium. (one win better), averaged just 16 points per game, second worst in the MIAA, but had the fourth best scoring defense in the league at just 21.4 allowed per outing.

Fort Hays was ninth in passing offense and eighth in rushing offense, rushing for just 114.3 per contest. "Teams loaded the box up on us a lot," Strieker said. "They haven't been worried about us passing the ball." The Tiger defense, though, was among the best, giving up New entry makes MIAA more dominant By NICK MCQUEEN Year in and year out, the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association produces some of the best football teams in NCAA Division II. With perennial national contender University of Nebraska- Omaha replacing persistent MIAA doormat Southwest Baptist (Mo.) University this season, the perceived power the MIAA possesses got that much greater. The Mavericks were welcomed to their new home at the MIAA Media Day earlier this month in Kansas City, with the MIAA coaches picking them to finish second behind defending regular season champion and last year's Div.

II runner-up Northwest Missouri State University. "The team you lose has struggled in the past couple years, and you bring a team in that's a top-five national program," said Fort Hays State University fourth-year coach Kevin Verdugo. "Without a doubt, it made our conference a lot stronger and made it tougher every week for everyone that's already here." That sentiment was echoed in the statements of Northwest Missouri coach Mel Tjeerdsma, whose Bearcats were picked to repeat as MIAA champion, even with a loss last season to the Mavericks, ranked seventh in the final 2007 Div. II poll. "It's going to be a great league," Tjeerdsma said.

"It's great competition every week, no matter who you're playing." Fort Hays (1-8 in its first year as a member of the MIAA two seasons ago), looks to make anotherjump in the ranks. The Tigers finished 2-7 in conference play last season, and were picked to finish ninth by the coaches, just ahead of one of their wins from a year ago Emporia State University. "The MIAA is already tough, and to get another team in there that is a top 5 team, it's good to get them in there and play again with the best of the best," said Tiger senior defensive lineman Ty, Brunswig. The Mavericks finished their regular season 10-0 in 2007, which included a North Central Conference Championship, before being upset in the playoffs. The 10-0 mark included a 25-21 win over the Bearcats.

"There is absolutely no illusion on our part about the level of play in this conference," said UNO coach Pat Behrns. "We feel very fortunate to even be a part of this." The MIAA has produced 36 postseason appearances in football and three national championships with Pittsburg State winning in 1991, and Northwest Missouri winning back-to-back titles in 1998 and'99. "We weren't quite sure where we were going to be," Behrns said after the Mavericks left the NCC. "We come from a good conference, but there is no question we are coming to the strongest conference in Div. II." The MIAA season kicks off Sept.

13 for the Tigers as they host 1-70 rival Washburn in a 7 p.m. contest at Lewis Field Stadium. The season gets under way Aug. 28 as the Tigers host former Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe New Mexico Highlands at Lewis Field Stadium. Game time is 7 p.m.

for the Holiday Inn Kickoff Classic. wwf mrw'i mm on offmnnl The New Home For TIGER TALK with FHSU Coaches Every Monday 6:00 p.m. Food Drink Specials COMEDY NIGHT Every 3rd Wednesday Each Month just 120.1 rushing yards per contest (third in the MIAA), and just 371.6 yards of total offense (fifth in the MIAA). "If we can keep guys healthy and continue to make some headway, I think we're in for a great season," Verdugo said. The Tiger defense returns seven players, including.three seniors: Ty Brunswig, An- drew Jones and Jason Carr.

Brunswig returns to the defensive line after recording 36 tackles last season. "We lost a few players, but we've got some good guys to fill in," Brunswig said. "We're all excited and feeling pretty confident." Jason Carr, who had 47 tackles last season at defen- FRED HUNT-HAYS DAILY NEWS rtiihnlng back Justin Glenn returns to the backfield this season tor the Tigers. Kevin Verdugo is entering his fourth year as coach at FHSU. sive back, has moved inside to linebacker, and another senior, Jones is the top returnee in tackles with 53 (3.5 for loss) last season.

He also had an interception and a pass breakup. Junior defensive back C. J. Lovett, an all-MIAA honorable mention selection last season and co-freshman of the year in 2006, returns in the defensive backfield, along with junior Gordon Butler and sophomore Seth Blackwell and a bevy of young players. "Our talent pool has continued to grow and develop," Verdugo said.

"The one thing I've liked is we've got the most depth on both sides of the ball since I've been here." The season begins Aug. 28 at Lewis Field Stadium for the Holiday Inn Kickoff Classic. The Tigers will take on former Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference foe New Mexico Highlands University in a 7 p.m. kickoff. The MIAA opener is Sept.

13 against Washburn at home. 2008 schedule'' I 28 Newwexlco Sept 6 Mines- Sept. 13 Washburn (Tallgreat) Sept. 20 State Sept. 27 Truman (Homecoming) 04 Western I Oct.

11 Missouri Souttiem (Hall''. of Fame Game) i Oct. 18 'Oct. 25 Pittsburg State. OVERWHELMED With Back to School Expenses! Has the Opportunity for you! At the Holiday Inn 3603 Vine Hays 785-625 7371 Tram in.