\nElwood Olsen Stadium, Sioux City IA, 2pm ET
\nVideo available via LiveStream<\/a>. Audio available via WCSF<\/a> and KMSC<\/a>. Live Stats available via DakStats<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Series: first meeting.<\/p>\n
Saint Francis Fighting Saints<\/span> Morningside Mustangs<\/span> Jon’s Prediction:<\/span> 13 Benedictine (KS) (9-2) at 3 Georgetown (KY) (10-0)<\/strong><\/span> Series: first meeting.<\/p>\n Benedictine Ravens<\/span> Georgetown Tigers<\/span> Jon’s Prediction:<\/span> 9 Saint Francis (IN) (8-2) at 7 Missouri Valley (9-1)<\/strong><\/span> Series: first meeting.<\/p>\n Saint Francis Cougars<\/span> Missouri Valley Vikings<\/span> Jon’s Prediction:<\/span> 12 Valley City State (9-1) at 2 Carroll (MT) (10-1)<\/strong><\/span> Series: Carroll leads 2-0 (last: 45-27 at Carroll in 2001)<\/p>\n Valley City State Vikings<\/span> Carroll Fighting Saints<\/span> Jon’s Prediction:<\/span> The second part of the NAIA first round playoff preview, our final playoff preview piece of the week, featuring the teams in the bottom half of the bracket.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7,12],"tags":[13],"class_list":["post-1171","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-division-news-and-notes","category-naia","tag-naia-2"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p185sV-iT","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1171","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1171"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1171\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1173,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1171\/revisions\/1173"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1171"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1171"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/jonfmorse.com\/tog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1171"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/b\/b7\/Saint_Francis_%28IL%29.png\")
\nLocation: Joliet IL
\nConference: Mid-States (Midwest League)
\nColors: Brown and Gold
\nPlayoff appearances: 2, 0-1 (1987, 2011)
\nCoach: Mike Uremovich (7th year, 32-44)
\nKey games: 34-30 loss to then #2 Saint Xavier on 9\/10; 36-35 win over then #4 William Penn; 24-21 loss at Grand View on 10\/29; 30-27 win at FCS Georgia State on 11\/5; 21-10 win over then #17 Saint Ambrose on 11\/12
\nOffense: 43.3 ppg, 471.3 ypg
\nDefense: 15.7 ppg, 245.5 ypg
\nPassing offense: 213.0 ypg
\nPassing defense: 137.3 ypg
\nRushing offense: 258.3 ypg
\nRushing defense: 108.3 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +7
\nKey players: QB E.J. White (66.1%, 2113 yds, 31 TD, 11 INT, 126-723 rushing, 65.7 ypg, 2 TD), RB Garen Demery (154-837, 93.0 ypg, 14 TD), WR Lexus Jackson (43-876, 79.6 ypg, 20.4 ypc, 8 TD), LB Adam Tondini (14.5 TFL), LB Drew Tondini (11 TFL), LB Martelle Prince (10 TFL)
\nOther notes: White’s a precise passer, and has deep threats to lean on, but the bulk of the attack is on the ground. Defensively, however, the Saints are vicious.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/f\/f8\/Morningside.png\")
\nLocation: Sioux City IA
\nConference: Great Plains
\nColors: Maroon and White
\nPlayoff appearances: 8, 7-7 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011)
\nCoach: Steve Ryan (10th year, 85-29)
\nKey games: 35-17 win at Valley City State on 9\/1; 21-10 win at then #14 Northwestern (IA) on 9\/10; 30-23 loss to Nebraska Wesleyan on 9\/17; 28-27 win at then #9t Midland on 9\/24; 31-16 win over then #13 Doane on 10\/8
\nOffense: 35.7 ppg, 394.8 ypg
\nDefense: 15.4 ppg, 261.2 ypg
\nPassing offense: 198.5 ypg
\nPassing defense: 195.2 ypg
\nRushing offense: 196.3 ypg
\nRushing defense: 66.0 ypg
\nTurnover margin: -3
\nKey players: QB Kyle Nikkel (61.7%, 1265 yds, 17 TD, 8 INT), RB Fred Jones (184-1005, 100.5 ypg, 10 TD), DB Colby Henderson (9 INT, 4 TD), LB Marshall Barney (7.5 sacks, 19 TFL), LB Taylor Johnson (12 TFL)
\nOther notes: An almost perfectly-balanced attack, and a defense that’s pretty tight, three times more effective against the run than the pass.<\/p>\n
\nSaint Francis (IL) 24, Morningside 14. Morningside will limit the Saints’ ground game, but their problem is going to be scoring points. Meanwhile, the Saints can still pass, and that’s Morningside’s weak spot on defense.<\/p>\n
\nToyota Stadium, Georgetown KY, 1:30pm ET
\nVideo available via ILive<\/a> (pay per view). Audio available via KAIR<\/a>. Live Stats available via DakStats<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/2\/28\/Benedictine_%28KS%29.png\")
\nLocation: Atchison KS
\nConference: Heart of America
\nColors: Black and Red
\nPlayoff appearances: 11, 4-11 (1985, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2011)
\nCoach: Larry Wilcox (33rd year, 229-125)
\nKey games: 38-0 win over then #25 Evangel on 10\/1; 35-19 win over then #4 Missouri Valley on 10\/15; 49-39 loss at then #5 MidAmerica Nazarene on 10\/22; 10-7 loss at then #25 Baker on 11\/5
\nOffense: 34.1 ppg, 394.9 ypg
\nDefense: 11.6 ppg, 242.7 ypg
\nPassing offense: 192.1 ypg
\nPassing defense: 145.6 ypg
\nRushing offense: 202.8 ypg
\nRushing defense: 97.1 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +16
\nKey players: QB Bill Noonan (51.6%, 2060 yds, 24 TD, 14 INT), RB Kevin McGrew (119-662, 73.6 ypg, 5 TD), RB Cameron Fore (94-645, 6.9 ypc, 12 TD), DB Ashton Stephens (6 INT, 1 TD), DB Lawrence Haynes (5 INT), DE Jordan Ancar (16 TFL)
\nOther notes: Snuck into the field by three poll points. Noonan is not the most accurate passer, and prone to interceptions, but does distribute the ball to numerous targets. A two-headed rushing attack gives Noonan room to work. The defense is potent, but vulnerable to top-end offenses.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/7\/77\/Georgetown_%28KY%29.png\")
\nLocation: Georgetown KY
\nConference: Mid-South (East Division)
\nColors: Orange, Purple, and Black
\nPlayoff appearances: 17, 22-13, 3 titles (1987, 1989, 1990, 1991<\/strong>, 1992, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001<\/strong>, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011)
\nCoach: Bill Cronin (15th year, 143-34)
\nKey games: 21-19 win at then #10 Ottawa on 9\/3; 31-14 win over then #10 Cumberlands (KY) on 9\/17; 21-14 win over then #18 Shorter on 9\/24; 56-27 win over Lindsey Wilson on 11\/15
\nOffense: 37.7 ppg, 412.5 ypg
\nDefense: 12.8 ppg, 258.3 ypg
\nPassing offense: 257.6 ypg
\nPassing defense: 178.3 ypg
\nRushing offense: 154.9 ypg
\nRushing defense: 80.0 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +13
\nKey players: QB Neal Pawsat (63.5%, 1739 yds, 17 TD, 2 INT), WR Chris Gohman (28-587, 21.0 ypc, 4 TD), K Alex Kreimer (7\/9, long 40), LB Brock Messina (12 sacks, 10 TFL)
\nOther notes: Not one rusher on this team has managed to gain 400 yards, yet the team managed to average 155 ypg anyway. It’s the defense that gets things done for Georgetown, both holding the opponent’s running game in check and forcing takeaways.<\/p>\n
\nGeorgetown 27, Benedictine 20. Georgetown doesn’t blow teams out, but they find a way to win. Benedictine doesn’t get blown out. But Georgetown’s better, and I’ve got to give them the edge here.<\/p>\n
\nGregg-Mitchell Field, Marshall MO, 2pm ET
\nVideo available via LiveStream<\/a>. Audio available via Stretch Internet<\/a> and WLYY<\/a>. Live Stats available via DakStats<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/6\/6f\/Saint_Francis_%28IN%29.png\")
\nLocation: Fort Wayne IN
\nConference: Mid-States (Mideast League)
\nColors: Royal Blue and White
\nPlayoff appearances: 12, 18-11 (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011)
\nCoach: Kevin Donley (14th year, 139-30; overall 254-116-1 including stints at Anderson IN, Georgetown KY, and California PA)
\nKey games: 34-33 win at Saint Ambrose on 9\/10; 42-31 loss to then #1 Saint Xavier on 10\/1; 40-13 loss to then #2 Marian on 10\/15
\nOffense: 40.8 ppg, 403.1 ypg
\nDefense: 21.4 ppg, 268.3 ypg
\nPassing offense: 246.1 ypg
\nPassing defense: 159.2 ypg
\nRushing offense: 157.0 ypg
\nRushing defense: 109.1 ypg
\nTurnover margin: -8
\nKey players: QB Justin Boser (59.3%, 1972 yds, 16 TD, 11 INT), RB Frank Wolfe III (86-535, 89.2 ypg, 4 TD), RB Antoin Campbell (94-522, 58.0 ypg, 9 TD), KR Austin Coleman (13-617, 47.5 ypr, 4 TD), DE Rex Drabenstot (8 sacks), LB Brody Kalbaugh (11.5 TFL)
\nOther notes: It’s got to be rough, being ranked #2 and losing to #1, then two weeks later losing to the team that replaced you at #2. But the Cougars persevered. This is a solid team, but they’re obviously prone to turnovers. Boser can be rattled.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/0\/0c\/Missouri_Valley.png\")
\nLocation: Marshall MO
\nConference: Heart of America
\nColors: Purple and Orange
\nPlayoff appearances: 9, 7-8 (1974, 1978, 1989, 1994, 1999, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011)
\nCoach: Paul Troth (10th year, 78-33, 116-51 overall including four years at Si’Tanka-Huron)
\nKey games: 26-21 win over then #3 MidAmerica Nazarene on 9\/10; 38-7 win over then #22 Baker on 9\/24; 35-19 loss at then #9 Benedictine (KS) on 10\/15
\nOffense: 40.3 ppg, 397.0 ypg
\nDefense: 11.8 ppg, 204.7 ypg
\nPassing offense: 163.5 ypg
\nPassing defense: 130.7 ypg
\nRushing offense: 233.5 ypg
\nRushing defense: 74.0 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +10
\nKey players: QB Bruce Reyes (55.2%, 1128 yds, 15 TD, 9 INT), RB Keith O’Neal (120-781, 76.6 ypg, 6 TD), RB Nijel Daw (115-625, 69.4 ypg, 4 TD), DB\/PR Tyler Davis (26-336 PR, 1 TD; 6 INT, 1 TD), PR Jonathan Hicks (10-182, 2 TD), DL Richard Wick (6.5 sacks, 14.5 TFL), DL Trey Kampeter (5 sacks, 11 TFL), LB Adam Maher (12 TFL)
\nOther notes: MVC’s crushing defense is going to be a problem for anyone, although they can be vulnerable against the pass. If they run into a team that can stop their running game, though, it’s going to be a problem.<\/p>\n
\nMissouri Valley 34, Saint Francis (IN) 27. This is going to be a tight one. MoVal will force SFIL into the passing game, where Boser’s inaccuracy and tendency to get picked will hurt. But the reverse is equally true. Ultimately, Valley has just a little bit more defense, and home-field advantage to boot.<\/p>\n
\nNelson Stadium, Helena MT, 2pm ET
\nVideo available via LiveStream<\/a>. Audio available via KOVC<\/a> and KBLL<\/a>. Live Stats available via DakStats<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/c\/c1\/Valley_City_State.png\")
\nLocation: Valley City ND
\nConference: independent
\nColors: Cardinal and Blue
\nPlayoff appearances: 7, 1-6 (1976, 1980, 1988, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2011)
\nCoach: Dennis McCulloch (15th year, 75-58)
\nKey games: 35-17 loss to then #5 Morningside on 9\/1; 28-26 win at then #7 Dickinson State on 9\/10
\nOffense: 29.5 ppg, 377.4 ypg
\nDefense: 18.4 ppg, 296.9 ypg
\nPassing offense: 222.3 ypg
\nPassing defense: 129.5 ypg
\nRushing offense: 155.1 ypg
\nRushing defense: 167.4 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +5
\nKey players: QB Tommy Zinke (59.8%, 2223 yds, 24 TD, 8 INT), RB A.J. Pfeifer (256-1049, 104.9 ypg, 7 TD), WR LeTheo Proctor (54-872, 16.1 ypc, 10 TD), DB Cody Kilthau (5 INT, 2 TD), DL Jordan Maher (11.5 sacks, 16 TFL)
\nOther notes: I don’t mean to disparage the Vikings, but they got here by beating the #7 team in the country during the dead period between the pre-season poll and the first regular season poll, when said #7 team went out of the poll altogether because they’d been grossly overrated going in. They coasted through a very weak schedule, and were pulled up the rankings by filling a vacuum. They’re not a bad team by any stretch, but they don’t have what it takes to advance through this field.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.jonfmorse.com\/wiki\/images\/d\/dc\/Carroll_%28MT%29.png\")
\nLocation: Helena MT
\nConference: Frontier
\nColors: Purple and Gold
\nPlayoff appearances: 20, 36-13, 6 titles (1978, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005<\/strong>, 2006, 2007<\/strong>, 2008, 2009, 2010<\/strong>, 2011)
\nCoach: Mike Van Diest (13th year, 154-21)
\nKey games: 41-33 loss to Eastern Oregon on 9\/10 (lost #1 ranking); 37-21 win over then #22 Montana State-Northern on 10\/1; 30-7 win over then #21 Rocky Mountain on 10\/15; 31-21 win at then #22 Eastern Oregon on 10\/22
\nOffense: 34.4 ppg, 419.5 ypg
\nDefense: 16.4 ppg, 268.3 ypg
\nPassing offense: 175.9 ypg
\nPassing defense: 193.2 ypg
\nRushing offense: 285.6 ypg
\nRushing defense: 101.9 ypg
\nTurnover margin: +9
\nKey players: QB Dane Broadhead (61.6%, 1643 yds, 23 TD, 5 INT), RB Chance Demarais (242-1422, 142.2 ypg, 14 TD), WR Matt Ritter (59-906, 82.4 ypg, 12 TD), DB Mike Siegersma (6 INT, 1 TD),
\nOther notes: Carroll is Carroll. Their stats aren’t gaudy, but they play disciplined ball and don’t kill themselves with mistakes. Oh, and they’re the defending champs. They’ve been here.<\/p>\n
\nCarroll 28, Valley City State 10. VCSU can make some progress in the air, but in the end Carroll is going to roll over them on the ground. Especially if weather becomes a factor, as it often does in Helena during the playoffs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"