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Category: Sports
Tigers picked 6th in MIAA preseason polls
MIAA Media Relations
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Defending MIAA Co-Champion Northwest Missouri received 36 first place votes between two polls as they topped both the coaches and media poll for 2015. 2014 MIAA Co-Champion Pittsburg State earned 17 first place votes between the two polls as they finished second in both the media and coaches poll.
The polls could not agree in the third place spot as Central Missouri edged Central Oklahoma by just one point for third place in the coaches poll while the Bronchos were third for the media. Missouri Western racked up 350 points to be picked fourth by the media while UCM was six points behind them in the fifth spot in the media poll with the Griffons earning the fifth spot in the coaches opinion.
Sixth place was agreed upon by both polls as Fort Hays State earned 284 points from the media and 71 points from the coaches. Their was a tie in the poll for the coaches at seventh place as Turnpike Tussle Rivals Emporia State and Washburn each earned 59 points. In the media poll the Hornets edged the Ichabods by just 13 points.
Earning the ninth spot in both polls was Nebraska-Kearney grabbing 39 points from the coaches and 153 points from the media. Lindenwood earned the tenth spot in the coaches poll ahead of the 11th pick MIssouri Southern with the two teams swapping roles in the media poll. Northeastern State was picked 12th by both the coaches and media in third year’s poll.
All of the MIAA football schools are scheduled to kick off the season on Thursday, Sept. 3 with Fort Hays State traveling to Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Television Network game of the week.
2015 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (8) 118
2. Pittsburg State (4) 114
3. Central Missouri 92
4. Central Oklahoma 91
5. Missouri Western 82
6. Fort Hays State 71
T7. Emporia State 59
T7. Washburn 59
9. Nebraska-Kearney 39
10. Lindenwood 34
11. Missouri Southern 17
12. Northeastern State 16
2015 MIAA Preseason Media Poll
1. Northwest Missouri (28) 478
2. Pittsburg State (13) 455
3. Central Oklahoma 382
4. Missouri Western 350
5. Central Missouri 344
6. Fort Hays State 284
7. Emporia State 226
8. Washburn 213
9. Nebraska-Kearney 153
10. Missouri Southern 144
11. Lindenwood 122
12. Northeastern State 47
MIAA Media Day in Kansas City
FHSU Sports Information
KANSAS CITY – August is here, which means football season is right around the corner. Watch MIAA Football Media Day for FREE online, Tuesday, August 4, live from Sporting Park in Kansas City. Sporting Park will be the home of the NCAA Division II Football Championship Game for the second straight year.
Head coaches and players representing all 12 teams from across the conference will be on hand to field questions from the media. The Tigers will be represented by head coach Chris Brown, running back Kenneth Iheme, and linebacker Alex Schmidtberger.
Fort Hays State’s press conference time is set for 10:30 a.m., which will be carried live on the free webstream. The webstream begins at 8:45 a.m., with press conferences set to begin at 9 a.m. Click on the following link to watch the event… WATCH LIVE
2015 Tiger Football Season Preview
The MIAA preseason polls (coaches and media) will be announced in the first press conference slot (9 a.m.) by MIAA Commissioner Dr. Bob Boerigter. The complete schedule including times for each school is listed below.
Press Conference Room Schedule*
9 a.m. Dr. Bob Boerigter (MIAA Commissioner)
9:15 a.m. Phil Laurie (Supervisor of Football Officials)
9:30 a.m. Washburn Coach Craig Schurig, OL Michael Miller and LB Cody Heiman
9:45 a.m. Emporia State Coach Garin Higgins, QB Brent Wilson and LB Jason Tetuan
10 a.m. Missouri Western Coach Jerry Partridge, QB Skyler Windmiller and DL Arbanas Elliot
10:15 a.m. Missouri Southern Coach Denver Johnson, RB Giresse Forchu and LB Justin Tomlinson
10:30 a.m. Fort Hays State Coach Chris Brown, RB Kenneth Iheme and LB Alex Schmidtberger
10:45 a.m. Lindenwood Coach Patrick Ross, LB Connor Harris and WR Greg Coble
11 a.m. Northeastern State Coach Rob Robinson
11:15 a.m. Nebraska-Kearney Coach Josh Lamberson, QB Bronson Marsh and DB Dillon Loschen
11:30 a.m. Central Missouri Coach Jim Svboda, OL Brian Berzanski and DE Jason Venckus
11:45 a.m. Central Oklahoma Coach Nick Bobeck, RB Jake Gandara and DL Kenny Allen
12 p.m. Northwest Missouri Coach Adam Dorrel and players
12:15 p.m. Pittsburg State Coach Tim Beck, TE Kyle Schwartz and DB Deron Washington
*Players appearing are subject to change
Chiefs Training Camp Report with Mitch Holthus
Listen for daily updates from Kansas City Chiefs training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri with the Voice of the Chiefs, Mitch Holthus. The reports air Monday – Friday at 6:30 on KFIX (96.9-FM).
FHSU’s Williams signed by the Packers
GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Green Bay Packers announced Monday that they’ve signed former Fort Hays State wide receiver Ed Williams.
Williams played three seasons at Fort Hays State after transferring from the University of Toledo. In 2014, he was a first-team All-MIAA selection and earned All-Super Region 3 honors from Don Hansen and Beyond Sports Network after recording 53 receptions for 946 yards (17.8 avg.) and seven touchdowns. For his career, Williams started 13 of 27 games played and registered 86 receptions for 1,617 yards (18.8 avg.) and 14 TDs.
Hays Monarchs open play Thursday in American Legion Central Plains regional
The Hays Monarchs Sr. American Legion will play the Nevada Silver Division state champions then take on the Minnesota Division II state runner-up in their two pool play games at the Central Plains American Legion regional in Le Sueur, Minn.
The Monarchs, who went 4-0 to win the ‘AA’ state tournament in Colby, opens with the Rancho (NV) Post 8 Rams at 9:15 a.m. Thursday. They will then play Moose Lake (MN) at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Single elimination bracket play begins Friday afternoon.
Central Plains Regional pairings and bracket
The Monarchs, who beat Iola 8-3 in the state title game Saturday, are 27-7 on the season. They are the third Hays team in the last four years to represent Kansas in the American Legion regional. The Hays Eagles played in the ‘AAA’ regional in 2012 and 2013.
Larks have three named to All-Jayhawk League team
The Hays Larks had three players named to the All-Jayhawk League team. Outfielder Michael Burns was named to the First Team along with designated hitter Jacob Campbell. Starting pitcher Augie Gillardo was named to the Second Team.
Campbell led the Larks with a .407 average and tied for the team lead with four home runs and had 18 RBI’s. The University of Houston product only played in 18 games after seeing his season end early with a pulled oblique.
Burns, who was also a First Team pick last season, hit .376. He lead the Larks with 67 hits, 11 doubles, 39 runs scored and 22 stolen bases. He was tied for the team lead with four home runs.
Gillardo finished 3-1 in seven appearances (5 starts) with a team low 1.63 earned run average. He held opponents to a team-low .183 batting average in 32 innings.
Wellington first baseman Austin Krainak was named Jayhawk League Player of the Year.
League champ Haysville had six players named to the all league team including four on the First Team. Wellington also had six selections with two on the First Team. Dodge City, who finished last in the North Division, also had six all league selections with two on the First Team.
Complete All-Jayhawk League team below…
First Team
C: Brent Williams-Liberal
1B: Austin Krainek-Wellington
2B: Krsthian Leal-Wellington
SS: Robbie Glendinning-Dodge City
3B: Brady Cox-Liberal
OF: Clayton Dalrymple-El Dorado
OF: Michael Burns-Hays
OF: Dan Holst-Haysville
DH: Jacob Campbell-Hays
UT: Tyler Tokunaga-Haysville
SP: Andrew Moralez-El Dorado
SP: Vince Lujan-Wellington
SP: Mick Vorhof-Dodge City
RP: Sam Beattie-Haysville
RP: Pat Ledet-Haysville
RP: Jaren Drummond-Wellington
Second Team
C: Stephen Sauter-Dodge City
1B: Matt Holcombe-El Dorado
2B: Alex Aguire-Dodge City
SS: Ben Mauseth-Wellington
3B: Chase Rader-Wellington
OF: Madison Foster-Liberal
OF: Keven Connally-Dodge City
OF: Gavin Wehby-Liberal
DH: Trever Karbowski-Haysville
UT: Will Farmer-Dergy
SP: Brandon Hicks-El Dorado
SP: Justin Vincent-Derby
SP: Augie Gillardo-Hays
RP: Tristan Jones-Haysville
RP: Derek Fiege-El Dorado
RP: Kody Jones-Dodge City
All eyes on $101 million man as Chiefs’ Houston gets to work
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) – The massive linebacker with the sweat-drenched biceps insists he never took a day off this offseason, even if he never showed up for one of the Kansas City Chiefs’ workouts.
Early in training camp, it’s easy to believe him.
With his familiar No. 50 stretched across his broad shoulders, Justin Houston has wasted no time in terrorizing quarterbacks again – even if they happened to be his own teammates. While the Chiefs worked out in only shells during the first couple of days, and hitting the QB is always taboo this time of year, more than once Houston could have easily leveled the boom.
“I just made sure about being busy at all times,” said Houston, who often posted videos of his offseason workouts on social media while his representatives worked on a long-term contract.
The deal was consummated just over a week ago, a six-year, $101 million pact.
Jays beat Royals in testy game
By IAN HARRISON
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Chris Colabello hit a two-run home run, R.A. Dickey threw seven shutout innings and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Kansas City Royals 5-2 in testy matchup Sunday, taking three of four from the AL’s top team.
Both benches and bullpens emptied after Toronto reliever Aaron Sanchez was ejected for throwing at Kansas City’s Alcides Escobar in the eighth. It was the climax of a game-long spat that began when Royals starter Edinson Volquez hit Josh Donaldson on the left arm in the first.
Donaldson and Volquez traded stares and words as the Blue Jays slugger took a slow walk to first base. Home plate umpire Jim Wolf warned both dugouts.
When Donaldson batted again in the third, Volquez missed high and inside with a pitch that sailed to the backstop. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons came out to argue but Volquez was not ejected.
Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer to pull the Royals within a run in the eight, but Toronto took advantage of three walks from reliever Kelvin Herrera to score twice in the bottom of the inning.
Monarchs win AA State Tournament
The Hays Monarchs offense came through when it counted once again as they claimed the AA American Legion State Championship Saturday afternoon in Colby beating Iola 8-3.
With one out in the top of the first inning the Monarchs collected four straight singles, scoring two runs. Braiden Werth and Justin Pfeifer delivered RBI singles to put Hays up 2-0.
Iola plated two in their half of the first to tie the game at 2.
Hays took advantage of two Iola errors scoring two runs in the fourth inning taking a 4-2 lead. The Monarchs got another run across, on an error in the fifth giving Hays a 5-2 lead.
In the sixth inning the Monarchs got three walks and Jared Vitztum scored on a wild pitch. Jordan Gottschalk and Ryan Ruder added RBI singles putting Hays up 8-3.
Kameron Schmidt allowed three runs in the complete-game 7 inning victory. His second win of the tournament.
Justin Pfeifer finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.
Hays improved to 27-7 and have won five in-a-row.
They will represent Kansas at the Central Regional in Le Sueur, Minn., beginning Aug. 6.
Click here for the tournament schedule.
Iola was also selected to take part in the regional after they finished second to the Monarchs.
Monarchs advance to championship game
The Hays Monarchs scored in all but one inning Friday night on their way to a 10-5 win over the Beloit Blue Jays, advancing to the AA American Legion State Championship game at Young Memorial Field in Colby.
Beloit took advantage of a walk to the second hitter of the game and scored the game’s first run on an RBI single. But the runner was picked off first by Monarchs’ starter Liam Stults for the final out of the first inning.
The Monarchs tied the game at one in the bottom of the second after Chase Romme reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second and then scored on a Ryan Ruder single.
Hays got three straight singles to lead off the third inning and took a 2-1 lead on a Jared Vitztum single that scored Liam Stults. But with two on the Monarch were unable to add to their lead.
With one out in the top of the fourth the Blue Jays worked a pair of walk and a single off of Stults, who gave way to reliever Braiden Werth. Werth recorded a strikeout and a groundout to work out of the jam.
In the bottom of the inning, with two outs, Ryan Schippers delivered a bases clearing double to give Hays the 5-1 lead.
Beloit tied the game at 5 with a four-run fifth inning. Werth surrendered back-to-back walks to lead off the inning and then after retiring one he allowed two straight hits including an RBI single. He then gave up a bases loaded walk that drove in a run and a two-run double to tie the game at 5.
With the game tied at 5 the Monarchs answered with a two run fifth inning. Ricky Hockett drove in a run on an RBI single and Jared Vitztum drew a bases loaded walk to put the Monarchs up 7-5.
Hays added three more runs in the sixth inning on their way to the 10-5 win. The Monarchs fourth in-a-row as they improve to 26-7.
Braiden Werth earned the win in relief, his third. Werth allowed four runs on five hits in three and two-thirds innings.
Vitztum was two-for-three with 3 RBIs and Schippers also drove in 3 RBIs.
The Monarchs will play in the AA championship game at approximately 12:30 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Hays will play the winner of the loser’s bracket.
Hays can clinch the championship with a win, a loss would mean a second championship game scheduled for Sunday in Colby.
Iola defeated Doniphan County, 10-2 in an elimination game and Larned eliminated Colby with an 8-2 win in the second elimination game Friday morning.
Iola and Larned faced each other in the loser’s bracket semifinal game Friday night. The winner of that game plays Beloit Saturday morning. The winner of that game plays Hays for the championship.
Royals blow 2 leads; lose in extra innings
By IAN HARRISON
Associated Press
TORONTO (AP) — Josh Donaldson singled home Troy Tulowitzki in the 11th inning and the new-look Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the Kansas City 7-6 on Friday night as Johnny Cueto failed to get a decision in his Royals’ debut.
After acquiring Tulowitzki and reliever LaTroy Hawkins from Colorado and starter David Price from Detroit, the Blue Jays obtained right-hander Mark Lowe from Seattle and outfielder Ben Revere from Philadelphia ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.
Tulowitzki played a key role in the win. With the score 6-all in the 11th, he singled to center and advanced on a balk by Franklin Morales (3-1).
Donaldson singled to left-center, giving Toronto its third straight win and sending the AL champion Royals to their third defeat in a row. Donaldson, mobbed at first base after his winning hit, went 3 for 4 with a walk and two RBIs.
Liam Hendriks (3-0) pitched one inning for the win.
Chiefs veterans return to Missouri Western for training camp
By DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson and defensive tackle Mike DeVito, both coming back from season-ending injuries, were among the veterans reporting to training camp Friday.
This is generally a loathsome period for veterans, with insufferable practices in heat often topping triple digits. But Johnson and DeVito wore broad grins on their faces as they ambled up the pathway to Scanlon Hall at Missouri Western State University.
Johnson’s season ended before halftime of last season’s opener when he ruptured his Achilles tendon with nobody near him. He remains 15 tackles away from breaking the franchise record.
Eight plays later, DeVito went down with the same injury at nearly the same spot on the field. And without him on the line, the Chiefs struggled all season to defend the run.