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Two teams need wins in final game
11/11/2011
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
For the Griffons, a win and they are in.
For the Tigers, a win and they might be in.
The Fort Hays State University football team plays host to Missouri Western State University on Senior Day Saturday at Lewis Field Stadium. The MIAA game kicks off at 2 p.m.
Missouri Western (8-2 overall, 6-2 MIAA), coming off a 31-28 win over then third-ranked Northwest Missouri State University, is looking for its seventh straight win, which would match the school record. A victory Saturday would clinch a spot in the NCAA Division II playoffs for the 20th-ranked Griffons (D2football.com).
Fort Hays (4-6, 3-5) is coming off a 29-14 win over Missouri Southern State University. Even though the Tigers have a losing record, they could still land a bowl berth.
After last Saturday's game, the Tigers were talking about finishing strong, winding up with five wins.
"Get another win, go into the off-season knowing we're a good team," said junior wide receiver Cornelius Gallon, who had nine catches -- including one for a TD -- in the win over Missouri Southern. "We just keep winning, build off that."
First-year Tiger coach Chris Brown likes the effort from his team, week in, week out.
They just keep getting better, getting better," Brown said. "They have some confidence, have some excitement.
"They're feeling pretty good about themselves," he added.
Junior quarterback Anthony Sheppard showed progress in his development against Missouri Southern, completing 15-of-20 passes for 150 yards, with two TDs and no interceptions.
"He did a great job, found his targets, he read the coverages very well, knew where the receivers were at," Brown said. "He put the ball on the money."
For the season, Sheppard has completed 72-of-125 passes (57.6 percent) for 794 yards, with six TDs and six interceptions.
The Tigers' top receiver is senior wideout Anthony Smith, who has 35 catches for 436 yards and five touchdowns.
FHSU has a 1-2 punch at tailback in junior Andre Smith (828 yards, 3 TDs) and sophomore Edward Smith (715 yards, 6 TDs).
Senior linebacker Alex Whitehill, who has been leading the nation in tackles all season, needs eight tackles to break the school's single season record of 150, set by Junior Hartig in 1979.
Missouri Western is led in rushing by junior Michael Hill, who has 1,058 yards and five touchdowns. Hill also leads the Griffons in receiving with 27 receptions for 245 yards and four scores.
Sophomore quarterback Travis Partridge has completed 132-of-240 passes for 1,558 yards, with 16 TDs and 10 interceptions.
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| 2/18 | SW Baptist | L 66-53 | |
| 12/1 | Oklahoma - Panhandle | L 66-60 (OT) | |