Our final set of D-III precaps, this for the four games in the Mary Hardin-Baylor bracket of this week’s playoff first round.

8 Redlands (8-1) at 1 Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-0)
Belton High School Stadium, Belton TX, 1pm ET
Video and Live Stats available via Stretch Internet. Audio available via KCAA.

Series: first meeting.

Redlands Bulldogs

Location: Redlands CA
Conference: Southern California
Colors: Maroon and Gray
Playoff appearances: 6, 0-5 (1990, 1992, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2011)
Coach: Mike Maynard (24th year, 151-68)
Key games: 35-29 win over then #4 North Central on 9/3; 28-24 loss at then #20 Cal Lutheran on 10/1
Offense: 36.4 ppg, 423.9 ypg
Defense: 23.1 ppg, 389.9 ypg
Passing offense: 212.8 ypg
Passing defense: 272.3 ypg
Rushing offense: 211.1 ypg
Rushing defense: 117.6 ypg
Turnover margin: +6
Key players: QB Chad Hurst (52.9%, 1907 yds, 17 TD, 8 INT, 83-677 rushing, 72.6 ypg, 10 TD), DL Brett Hutter (4.5 sacks, 11 TFL)
Other notes: It started with such promise, but it’s starting to look like it was just one of those upsets. When Redlands took down North Central on the opening weekend, they jumped from nowhere into the polls. They stayed there all year, but the reality is that if you take away the Cal Lutheran loss, the cumulative stats barely change. This is a team that played 7 games against pretty much nobody and still gave up almost 400 ypg of offense. Worse, their own offense has precisely one weapon.

Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders

Location: Belton TX
Conference: American Southwest
Colors: Purple, Gold, and White
Playoff appearances: 10, 16-9 (2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Coach: Pete Fredenburg (14th year, 131-32)
Key games: 27-20 win over Wisconsin-La Crosse on 9/10; 28-27 win over McMurry on 9/17; 35-17 win at then #21 Hardin-Simmons on 9/24; 36-10 win at then #19 Louisiana on 10/1
Offense: 45.7 ppg, 464.7 ypg
Defense: 16.4 ppg, 305.5 ypg
Passing offense: 165.4 ypg
Passing defense: 194.6 ypg
Rushing offense: 299.3 ypg
Rushing defense: 110.9 ypg
Turnover margin: +4
Key players: QB LiDarral Bailey (63.8%, 1465 yds, 13 TD, 10 INT, 106-504 rushing, 50.4 ypg, 10 TD), RB Darius Wilson (172-1119, 124.3 ypg, 13 TD), WR Damian Davis (44-690, 69.0 ypg, 6 TD), PR/KR Geoff Myles (29-520 PR, 2 TD; 13-310 KR), PR/KR Tariekus Ellis (1-66 PR, 12-393 KR, 2 TD), LB Javicz Jones (5.5 sacks, 11.5 TFL)
Other notes: Pete Fredenburg is a legend you may have never even heard of. He was the defensive coordinator for Baylor under Grant Teaff (you know, back when Baylor was good before they became a joke). And then, after stops at LSU and Louisiana Tech, he got lured to Belton to start a brand-new football program at a little school that even I hadn’t given any notice back in 1998. In the 14 years since, they’ve made the playoffs 10 times. You have to tip your hat to that.

Jon’s Prediction:
UMHB 41, Redlands 21. Redlands is going to get some offense going, and they’re going to get on the board. But they’re not coming anywhere near their normal output, and they’re not going to stop UMHB from approaching their own.

7 Hobart (7-1) at 2 Wesley (DE) (9-1)
Scott D. Miller Stadium, Dover DE, 12pm ET
Audio available via WDEL. Live Stats available via Presto Sports.

Series: first meeting.

Hobart Statesmen

Location: Geneva NY
Conference: Liberty League
Colors: Purple and Orange
Playoff appearances: 8, 4-7 (2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011)
Coach: Michael Cragg (17th year, 100-52)
Key games: 56-20 win at Saint John Fisher on 9/24; 41-24 win at Union (NY) on 10/8
Offense: 34.3 ppg, 403.3 ypg
Defense: 14.9 ppg, 259.4 ypg
Passing offense: 192.4 ypg
Passing defense: 149.9 ypg
Rushing offense: 210.6 ypg
Rushing defense: 109.5 ypg
Turnover margin: +6
Key players: QB Nick Strang (55.6%, 1483 yds, 15 TD, 9 INT), RB Steven Webb (108-535, 5.37 ypc, 5 TD), DE Tyre Coleman (12.5 sacks, 17.5 TFL), LB Devin Worthington (6 sacks, 11 TFL)
Other notes: The open question for Hobart is whether Nick Strang will even step on the field. He was concussed in the season finale, and may not be cleared to play. Hobart can pile yards and points, and their defense is pretty sound.

Wesley Wolverines

Location: Dover DE
Conference: independent
Colors: Navy and White
Playoff appearances: 8, 15-7 (2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Coach: Mike Drass (19th year, 164-46-1)
Key games: 31-28 loss at Kean on 9/19; 32-20 win at FCS Charleston Southern on 10/1; 23-14 win at then #11 Salisbury on 10/29; 54-13 win over Huntingdon on 11/12
Offense: 41.8 ppg, 394.4 ypg
Defense: 10.8 ppg, 237.5 ypg
Passing offense: 186.6 ypg
Passing defense: 163.5 ypg
Rushing offense: 207.8 ypg
Rushing defense: 74.0 ypg
Turnover margin: +13
Key players: QB Shane McSweeney (64.1%, 1821 yds, 18 TD, 4 INT, 91-363 rushing, 10 TD), RB Askia Jahad (101-685, 68.5 ypg, 9 TD), RB Steven Koudossou (only 11 carries… but 320 yards), KR Matt Barile (7-290, 41.4 ypr, 1 TD), DE Chris Mayes (5.5 sacks, 17.5 TFL), LB Jeff Morgan (5.5 sacks, 15.5 TFL), DE Devin Hardy (7.5 sacks, 11 TFL)
Other notes: McSweeney sprays his passing yards around to a corps of five primary receivers, none of whom average over 33 yards a game. All of them average over 11 yards a catch, though, and they move the chains a lot in the air. Kicking off to Wesley is fraught with peril if you can’t get the ball to the goal line; although no one player has gone Devin Hester on the opposition, the team’s return corps has, as a whole, averaged 33.7 yards per return and scored two TDs.

Jon’s Prediction:
Wesley 31, Hobart 21. That’s assuming Strang plays; Hobart can actually match up somewhat with Wesley if he’s healthy. But the rest of the team isn’t, and if Strang’s not in there (or not 100%), this game is going to be a blowout.

6 Cal Lutheran (8-1) at 3 Linfield (9-0)
Maxwell Field, McMinnville OR, 3pm ET
Video and audio are supposed to be available via Linfield’s web site, but the links aren’t there yet. Check around there near gametime.

Series: Linfield leads 4-2 (last: 24-14 Linfield, 9/10/2011 at Linfield)

Cal Lutheran Kingsmen

Location: Thousand Oaks CA
Conference: Southern California
Colors: Violet and Gold
Playoff appearances: 3, 0-2 (2009, 2010, 2011)
Coach: Ben McEnroe (5th year, 36-11)
Key games: 24-14 loss at then #7 Linfield on 9/10; 28-17 win over Pac Lutheran on 9/17; 28-24 win over then #13 Redlands on 10/1
Offense: 47.2 ppg, 488.5 ypg
Defense: 16.2 ppg, 292.1 ypg
Passing offense: 227.8 ypg
Passing defense: 161.7 ypg
Rushing offense: 260.7 ypg
Rushing defense: 130.4 ypg
Turnover margin: +6
Key players: QB Jake Laudenslayer (65.6%, 2043 yds, 18 TD, 8 INT, 79-419 rushing, 5 TD), RB Daniel Mosier (127-1027, 114.1 ypg, 8.1 ypc, 17 TD), WR Eric Rogers (36-866, 96.2 ypg, 24.1 ypc, 8 TD), DB Justin Haulcy-Bateman (5 INT, 1 TD, 1 PR TD), DL Rian Younker (6 sacks, 11.5 TFL), DL Chris Carr (3.5 sacks, 10 TFL)
Other notes: Cal Lutheran can play with pretty much anyone. The offense is potent and balanced, and the defense is measured and solid; one of the few teams in this year’s field giving up under 300 yards a game.

Linfield Wildcats

Location: McMinnville OR
Conference: Northwest
Colors: Cardinal and Purple
Playoff appearances: 8, 13-6, 1 title (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2011)
Coach: Joe Smith (6th year, 48-12)
Key games: 24-14 win over then #16 Cal Lutheran on 9/10; 45-7 win over Pac Lutheran on 10/22; 47-14 win over Lewis & Clark on 11/12
Offense: 41.7 ppg, 440.1 ypg
Defense: 11.7 ppg, 285.3 ypg
Passing offense: 294.0 ypg
Passing defense: 193.2 ypg
Rushing offense: 146.1 ypg
Rushing defense: 92.1 ypg
Turnover margin: +7
Key players: QB Mickey Inns (59.4%, 2296 yds, 25 TD, 5 INT), RB Josh Hill (156-731, 81.2 ypg, 8 TD), KR Colin Forman (8-219, 27.4 ypr, 1 TD), K Josh Kay (11-14, long 49), DT Tyler Steele (10 sacks, 17 TFL), DE Brynnan Hyland (8 sacks, 11 TFL), DE Michael MacClanathan (7 sacks, 10 TFL), DT Mike Maierhofer (5 sacks, 11 TFL)
Other notes: Inns spreads the ball around very well; four different players have caught four or more TD passes from him, a different set of four players have caught at least 20 balls, and yet a different set of four players have over 200 receiving yards. And just look at the defensive line there: a combined 30 sacks and 49 TFL.

Jon’s Prediction:
Linfield 35, Cal Lutheran 29. It’s a shame CLU ended up matched with Linfield again (the third time in the last four years in the playoffs, plus the game this season). CLU was shaky in their first three games, then just took everyone out behind the woodshed. Of course, the problem there is that their first three games were against Linfield, Redlands, and Pac Lutheran. Meanwhile, the Wildcats have just been shredding everyone. Still, it should be a good game to keep an eye on, and an upset is not out of the realm of reason here.

5 McMurry (8-2) at 4 Trinity (TX) (10-0)
E.M. Stevens Field, San Antonio TX, 1pm
Video available via ATW Sportscast. Live Stats available via Trinity.

Series: Trinity leads 23-13-1 (last: 2009, Trinity won 31-26 at McMurry)

McMurry Warhawks

Location: Abilene TX
Conference: American Southwest
Colors: Maroon and White
Playoff appearances: 1 (2011)
Coach: Hal Mumme (3rd year, 18-12; 126-114 overall including stints at Iowa Wesleyan, Valdosta State, Kentucky, Southeastern Louisiana, and New Mexico State)
Key games: 24-21 win at FCS Texas-San Antonio on 9/10; 28-27 loss at then #3 Mary Hardin-Baylor on 9/17; 60-16 win at Texas Lutheran on 10/15; 49-28 win at then #20 Louisiana on 11/5
Offense: 40.7, 471.6 ypg
Defense: 27.4, 364.4 ypg
Passing offense: 369.8 ypg
Passing defense: 211.1 ypg
Rushing offense: 101.8 ypg
Rushing defense: 153.3 ypg
Turnover margin: -7
Key players: QB Jake Mullin (65.0%, 3102 yds, 26 TD, 12 INT), RB Justin Johnson (120-655, 65.5 ypg, 8 TD), WR D. Diamond (60-843, 14.1 ypc, 6 TD), WR R.J. Long (51-672, 13.2 ypc, 11 TD), Corey Hall (4.5 sacks, 12.5 TFL)
Other notes: It’s the Air Raid, led by the guy that pretty much invented it. What else do you need to know about McMurry’s offense? Mullin spreads the wealth, as five receivers have 25 or more catches and over 300 yards receiving apiece. The running game is only there to keep defenses honest. McMurry could go a long way; you should probably mentally subtract the impact of their 82-6 loss to FCS Stephen F. Austin from those defensive stats, and then remember that they only lost by a point to UMHB. There is one small problem, however: Mullin himself. He was injured in the season finale, and was on crutches on the sideline. If that was just a precaution and he’s mobile, everything’s fine. If not… backup Stephen Warren is serviceable, but a little too prone to throwing the ball into the waiting arms of an opponent.

Trinity Tigers

Location: San Antonio TX
Conference: Southern CAC
Colors: Maroon and White
Playoff appearances: 12, 12-11 (1994, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2011)
Coach: Steve Mohr (23nd year, 174-65)
Key games: 24-7 win over Huntingdon on 10/15; 24-16 win over Birmingham-Southern on 10/29; 20-14 win over then #25 Centre on 11/5; 7-6 win at winless Austin on 11/12
Offense: 25.5 ppg, 321.8 ypg
Defense: 9.3 ppg, 242.1 ypg
Passing offense: 154.3 ypg
Passing defense: 133.2 ypg
Rushing offense: 167.5 ypg
Rushing defense: 108.9 ypg
Turnover margin: +13
Key players: QB Nyk McKissic (60.8%, 1443 yds, 13 TD, 4 INT), RB Pat Granchelli (186-849, 84.9 ypg, 6 TD), DB Tyler Barrett (6 INT), LB Phillip Hiner-Leamon (6 sacks, 11 TFL), LB Ben Robinson (12.5 TFL)
Other notes: The most defensively-oriented team in the field, Trinity’s not going to scare you when they have the ball. They force a decent number of turnovers, however, and make good use of field position to grind the opponents into dirt. It’s been a special season for the Tigers, recovering from their first losing season in 20 years to run the table and win the championship of a conference which is abandoning them, but they’re dead the second they run into anyone that can score on them. Their season finale against hapless Austin bore that out.

Jon’s Prediction:
McMurry 31, Trinity 24. This is a prediction which requires Mullin to play and be effective; otherwise, Trinity 27, McMurry 24. There’s no way Trinity holds the Air Raid to anywhere near Trinity’s usual levels of defensive awesome, and there’s no way McMurry scores on them like they have everyone else not named Mary Hardin-Baylor or Stephen F. Austin.