Could this be the year the Fort Hays State University football team makes that transition to an upper-echelon contender? Probably not. But, expect a similar jump to what the Tigers saw last year. And, at this point, don’t eliminate the thought of the Tigers contending for a spot in the playoffs or the Mineral Water Bowl late in the season.
After all, in the MIAA, it’s anyone’s game. Unless you’re Northwest Missouri State or conference newcomer University of Nebraska-Omaha. After 1 and 2, it truly is anyone’s game this season.It will be awhile before Northwest Missouri falls from grace, and UNO brings a whole other level of superiority to an already dominate Div. II conference.
But, the Tiger faithful can and should expect big things from the Tiger program this season. Spending the last two weeks inside Tiger camp, one thing is evident: The Tigers are a much more confident program than they have been in the last two seasons. With some speed out of the backfield, a proven winner at quarterback and a talented group of wide receivers, the Tigers will no doubt be better on offense, and a defense that proved MIAA-worthy last season, has not seemed to lose any of its ability. As far as the MIAA is concerned, it’s still too early too tell.
Fort Hays was picked to finish ninth in the conference, but could just as easily finish in third place, given the right wins. From 3 to 10, it’s anyone’s game, just as every season.That’s what makes the MIAA such a dominate force in Div. II — its depth.Especially with the addition of UNO this season. If the MIAA doesn’t see at least three in the playoffs, then the rest of the country has finally caught up. Pittsburg State, picked third in the conference after getting, for lack of a better term, snubbed by Div. II last season — along with Missouri Western, should again be a force to be reckoned with. The Griffons will be good again, and of course Washburn has proven itself to be a title contender. After that, there could be a couple sleepers in the bottom five.
If Truman State actually gets a chance to play at home this season, you can’t count out the Bulldogs and quarterback Matt Ticich, who given the right season, could be a Harlon Hill candidate. The Bulldogs will play their first home game on the road because of a dispute between the university and contractors on the installation of new turf at Stokes Stadium.
That mixed with a ton of rain has hindered the production. The most recent picture of the field portrayed large dirt-moving equipment parked in a puddle of mud. So, if the Bulldogs don’t find this too distracting and actually get to play a true home game this season — look out. Truman State was scheduled to play seven games at home this season, but will lose a true home game, plus the revenue from concession stand sales for their first game, which will be played at Central Methodist — about 85 miles away from Kirksville.
Then, there is Missouri Southern, which has the best schedule in all the MIAA this season — or the worst depending on how you look at it. The Lions get all the MIAA’s top dogs at home, hosting newcomer UNO in the MIAA opener, then hosting Northwest Missouri, Missouri Western, Washburn and Central Missouri all in Joplin. The Lions’ dream schedule includes just four road games — at Truman (maybe), at Fort Hays, at No. 17 Pittsburg State (their toughest road game), and at Emporia (only picked No. 10 this season because some team had to be).
So, with just over a week before the season begins, it’s time to get your game faces on.T
he MIAA campaign looks to be a week-in, week-out grind where the bottom eight spots are up for grabs and there for the taking for any of last year’s bottom feeders. That includes Fort Hays, which looks to make another jump since joining the ranks three seasons ago.