HAAC Champs and First Round of Playoffs

MNU won the Heart of America Athletic Conference Championship outright last week by defeating #9 Missouri Valley College 37-7.  The loss knocked Missouri Valley out of playoff contention, and guaranteed the Pioneers two home playoff games should they advance that far.  The game was close at halftime with a score of 13-7, but the Pioneers pulled away in the 3rd Quarter, utterly dominating in all phases for that 15 minute span.  The starters came out early, and the Pioneers escaped the regular season unscathed.  MidAmerica had a bye week this past week, in anticipation of finding out who the would play in the NAIA Football Championship Series.  The news came in this past Sunday that they would be playing #17 Georgetown College (KY) in their first round game. Georgetown made it in as the Mid-South Conference Champion.  They boast a high powered offense, capable of giving any team problems.  It should be a good match-up for the Pioneers in the first round, as this is the best offense that they've seen since playing Lindenwood back in week 4 of the season.

Do you think MNU got a good draw for the first round?

Are you surprised that MNU isn't hosting someone that is geographically closer?

Attempting to Remove the Co- in Co-HAAC Champs

The Pioneers defeated Central Methodist 56-28 this past Saturday.  The game was never in question as the Pioneers led at half by a score of 42-7.  The second team played almost all of the second half, and the Pioneers clinched at least a share of the HAAC Football Championship.  The Pioneers have one final regular season test looming, a home game against the Missouri Valley College Vikings.  The Vikings have remained at #9 in the polls for the last few weeks, and will head into Olathe with a chance to leave no doubt of their playoff qualifications.  A loss could doom their season.  Missouri Valley boasts one of the best defenses in the nation, especially against the run.  This upcoming Saturday is Senior Day at Pioneer Stadium.  MNU will send off a class that has a combined  37-6 record so far in their four years. 

What are your predictions on the game?  Does Valley have enough firepower on offense to win?  Can the Pioneers run the ball effectively?