EMPORIA STATE FOOTBALL OPENS SEASON AGAINST NORTHEASTERN STATE

Football | 9/3/2019 12:58:00 AM

Game #1
Emporia State Hornets (0-0.0-0 MIAA)
vs. Northeastern State RiverHawks (0-0.0-0 MIAA)
Thursday, Sept. 5 at 7:00 p.m. • Jones Field at Welch Stadium (7,000) • Emporia, Kan.
Series Record: ESU Leads 8-5 Current Streak: ESU Seven Wins
Last Meeting: ESU 34, at NSU 7 (Aug. 30, 2018)
Radio: KFFX-FM (104.9) Pregame 6:00 p.m. TV: None
Internet (Audio): www.kvoe.com Internet (Video): themiaanetwork.com/esuhornets
Live Stats • Ticket Information • Complete Notes in pdf
Officials: Announced on Game Day
Up Next: Pittsburg State • Saturday, September 14, 2019
Carnie Smith Stadium (7,950)  • Pittsburg, Kan.

LET'S GET THINGS STARTED   
Emporia State begins the 122nd season of Hornet football against Northeastern State.

SEASON OPENERS
Emporia State is 68-48-5 all-time in season openers and have started the season 1-0 in 15 of the last 18 years.  Coach Garin Higgins is 9-3 in season openers with the Hornets and 14-3 in his career in season openers.  Two of the three losses have come to then #1 ranked Northwest Missouri. Emporia State has gone 19-9 in MIAA openers since joining the conference in 1991.

THE COACHES
Garin Higgins has a career record of 129-70 in his 18th season as a head coach. He is 78-61 in his 13th season at his alma mater and is 69-37 since the start of the 2010 season. He has led the Hornets to the post season in five of the last seven years with three NCAA Playoffs and a national semifinal appearance in 2015. He had a 51-9 career record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma, including two trips to the national championship game. Higgins was a quarterback for Emporia State from 1987-90 and was on the 1989 national runners-up team. He is 6-0 against Northeastern State and was the offensive coordinator for the RiverHawks in 2006.
J.J. Eckert is in his first season as the head coach at Northeastern State. He was 85-61 in 14 years as a junior college coach with the last 12 seasons at Kilgore College. This is his first meeting with Emporia State.

SCOUTING THE HORNETS
Emporia State is set to return 15 starters and 39 letterwinners from last season including All-MIAA players Jace McDown, Parker Bass, Tre'Vaun Ammons, Marek Thompson and Gary Woods II on defense along with Austin Unterreiner and Estevan Arana on offense.
Of those 15 starters returning, only four of them are on offense. All four of them are on the offensive line. Four of the six skill positions will have sophomores or freshmen starting.
While the offense will be one of the most inexperienced groups in Coach Garin Higgins 13 years at Emporia State, the defense might be the most experienced group the Hornets have had in his tenure. The Hornets return a player that has started at least five games at all 11 positions including 13 of their top 15 tacklers from a year ago.

SCOUTING THE RIVERHAWKS
Northeastern State is in their first year under head coach J.J. Eckert. The RiverHawks were 0-11 last season and have gone just 12-64 in seven years of MIAA play. They return three of five players that were named honorable mention All-MIAA a year ago - offensive lineman Jason Staggs, safety Jean Bezile and safety Courtland Clark.

THE SERIES
This will be the 14th meeting between the two schools with Emporia State leading 8-5. The Hornets have won the last seven meetings, all since the RiverHawks joined  the MIAA in 2013, and eight of the last nine contests.

LAST TIME VS. NORTHEASTERN ST.
Emporia State forced four turnovers and scored 14 points off them on their way to a 34-7 road opening win at Northeastern State in Tahlequah, Okla.  The game was delayed slightly due to a severe thunderstorm in the Tahlequah area.
Landon  Nault  had  88  yards  on  19  carries  with  two touchdowns while Ricky VanWeezel added a career high 81 yards on 17 carries.  Braxton Marstall  was  17  of  30  for  144  yards  with  two  touchdowns  passing  and  added  46  yards  on  nine  carries  with  a  touchdown  on  the  ground.  Tyler  Harris  was  the  leading  receiver  with  six  catches for 56 yards and two scores.
Parker  Bass  led  the  Hornet  defense  with  five  tackles,  all  of  them  behind  the  line  of  scrimmage,  including  a  career  high  3.5  sacks  for  a  loss of 15 yards.  He also forced and recovered a  fumble.  As  a  team  Emporia  State  had  six  sacks  and  nine  tackles  for  loss  in  the  game.  Gary  Woods  and  Jace  McDown  each  had  a  team high six tackles.

UP NEXT
The Hornets will have eight days between games before they head to Southeast Kansas to take on Pittsburg State on Saturday, September 14. Kick-off from Brandenburg Field at Carnie Smith Stadium for the seventh most played rivalry in NCAA Division II is set for 7:00 p.m. It will be the first night game between the two since the second game of the 2011 season.

KNOW THE FOE
This will be just the 14th meeting between Emporia State and Northeastern State. The RiverHawks have allowed at least 31 points in 10 of 11 games last year and 32 of their last 37 games dating back to 2015.  Emporia State is averaging 42.43 points against Northeastern State in the last seven games between the two.
This is one of four games this year for Emporia State where the head coaches are alums of their program.
Garin Higgins spent the 2006 season as the Offensive Coordinator at Northeastern State before taking over as Head Coach at Emporia State. He was also a graduate assistant in Tahlequah after his playing days for the Hornets.

FLIP A SWITCH
Emporia State was 15-34 under head coach Garin Higgins and trailing Missouri Southern 17-0 at the midway point of the 2011 season. Emporia State came back to win 31-25 and have gone 63-27 since then. Of the 27 losses, 13 have been to teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 at the time. In Emporia State's first 50 games under Coach Higgins, the Hornets averaged 19.46 points per game while giving up 29.46 points per game. In the 88 games since then Emporia State is averaging 33.47 points while giving up 27.27 points per game.

OUTSIDE THE CONFERENCE
The Hornets have gone 14-2 in non-conference games under Garin Higgins and are 25-7 outside the MIAA in the 21st century. Since joining the MIAA, ESU is 34-12 in non-conference games and has lost only three games to unranked non-conference D-II opponents since 1996.  

PLAYOFF HISTORY
The Hornets are 3-4 in their seven NCAA playoff games over four trips to the Division II playoffs and have won three of their last five playoff games. Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, and Pittsburg State are the only MIAA teams to have won playoff games in back to back years.

MIAA IN THE POSTSEASON
Since the MIAA first expanded in 1989 and the new teams became eligible for post season play in 1990, the league has eight national championships and a representative in 15 of 28 national championship games, including ten of the last 15 title games.  In that time the MIAA is 43-19 in the NCAA Playoffs and 19-7 in bowl games for a combined post season record of 62-26 against non-conference opponents. The Hornets join Northwest Missouri (1996-99, 2002, 2004-11, 2013, 2015-16), Pittsburg State (1989-92, 1995, 2001, 2004-05, 2011), Missouri Western (2012), and Central Missouri (2010) as MIAA teams that have reached the national quarterfinals.  Emporia State's game at Northwest Missouri in 2015 was the fifth all-MIAA regional final all-time.  Six different MIAA schools have advanced to the NCAA Playoffs and won a game since 2010 while eight current member institutions have represented the league in the NCAA Playoffs.  Counting their time in other conferences ten of the current 12 MIAA football playing schools have been NCAA Division II Playoff participants. The only two schools to have never made the NCAA Playoffs are Lincoln and Northeastern State, who made the NAIA National Championship game four times and won the title in 1994. Northeastern State participated in the 2011 Mineral Water Bowl, meaning 11 of the 12 member schools have participated in an NCAA sanctioned post season game.   
All MIAA NCAA Divison II Quarterfinals
2015    at Northwest Mo. 38, Emporia State 17    
2011    at Pittsburg State 41, Northwest Mo. 16
2010    at Northwest Mo. 37, Central Mo. 20    
2005    Northwest Mo. 21, at Pittsburg State 10
2004    at Pittsburg State 50, Northwest Mo. 36

YOU HAVE TO SCORE TO WIN
The Hornets are 62-12 under coach Higgins when scoring 28 or more points with a 57-7 record in their last 64 games in which they have scored at least 28 points. The Hornets have scored at least 40 points in 36 games under Coach Higgins with a record 34-2 in those games. Emporia State has won 20 games when allowing their opponents 28 or more points under coach Higgins, but the Hornets have only won 16 games when they have scored less than 28 points. The 53-52 loss at Central Oklahoma last season was the first time in school history the Hornets have scored 50 points in regulation and lost a game.

QUARTERBACKS
For the third time in seven years the Hornets will be replacing a school record setting quarterback. Braxton Marstall graduated ranked second in MIAA history in career total offense and fifth in career passing and was the MIAA Offensive Player of the Year last season.  Marstall replaced Brent Wilson, who was the 2015 MIAA Offensive Player of the Year, while Wilson replaced 2012 All-MIAA quarterback Tyler Eckenrode.   
Sophomores Dalton Cowan was named the starter during the final week of training camp. He was the back up to Marstall last season and appeared in five games.  He replaced Marstall for one play and had a 54 yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of the Hornets 28-24 victory over MIAA Champion Ft. Hays State.
Junior Pat Briningstool sat out last year with an injury after playing in four games with a start as a red-shirt freshman in 2017. He was a First-Team All-Conference and Detroit All-Metro District performer at quarterback in his senior season for Chippewa Valley (Mich.) HS.
Red-shirt freshman Braden Gleason was an All-State Honorable Mention Selection for Muldrow (Okla.) HS. He threw for 6,317 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career along with 1,483 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing.

DALTON GANG
Quarterback Dalton Cowan (Soph./Topeka, Kan.) has earned the starting position as a red-shirt sophomore.
AS A FRESHMAN-He threw a 54 yard touchdown in his only snap against Ft. Hays State. He did not play against Northwest Missouri with flu like symptoms. He played the final series against Pittsburg State and had the majority of the fourth quarter at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team All Class 5A and first-team All-Centennial League selection at quarterback for Seaman HS. He was named Topeka Offensive Player of the Year after he passed for 1,870 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 589 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground for the Vikings. His father Jeff Cowan played linebacker for the Hornets while his mother Cassie (Henry) Cowan played basketball for the Lady Hornets.

PURE MICHIGAN
Quarterback Patrick Briningstool (Jr.-RS/Clinton Township, Mich.) has returned from to action after sitting out last season with an injury.
AS A FRESHMAN-He started at Ft. Hays State. He was three for three for 18 yards and had two rushes for 11 yards against Northeastern State. He completed his first pass as a Hornet against Neb.-Kearney.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He threw for over 4,300 yards and 52 touchdowns as a prepster at Chippewa Valley HS in Clinton Township, Mich.

TO THE MOON
Quarterback Braden Gleason (Fr.-RS/Muldrow, Okla.) is also in the mix for the back up position.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-State Honorable Mention Selection for Muldrow (Okla.) HS. He threw for 6,317 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career along with 1,483 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing.

RECEIVERS
The receiving corps is another position that will have a new look this year for the Emporia State offense as the Hornets lost nearly 90% of their receptions and receiving yards from last season. Tyler Harris led the MIAA in touchdown catches last season and Justin Brown graduated with the most catches and second most receiving yards in Emporia State history.  
Kai Callins 21 receptions last year were more than the other four returners with catches combined.  Sophomore Cole Schumacher is the top wide receiver returning with 112 yards on nine catches with a touchdown in five games last season. He had five receptions for 85 yards and a score against Missouri Southern. Senior Seth Surface, junior Travon Jones and sophomore Corey Thomas are the other Hornets that caught a pass last season. Thomas and Jones both showed big play potential last year, as each of them had a 19 yard reception.
Look for junior Kai Lemons, junior transfers Andre Thomas-Cobb and JT Mackey, along with red-shirt freshmen Wil Amos and Dexton Swinehart to be in the mix at receiver as well.

SUNGLASSES AT NIGHT
Receiver Corey Thomas (Soph./Topeka, Kan.) is in his third season with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had one reception for 19 yards against Mo. Southern. He had an eight yard reception at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Top 11 All-City pick in Topeka as a junior in 2015. He had 1,034 rushing yards and 996 receiving yards with eight touchdowns as a junior but missed much of his senior season at Topeka HS due to Injury.

FORMULA ONE
Receiver Cole Schumacker (Soph./Rossville, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a career best five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against Missouri Southern. He had two key catches for ten yards in the fourth quarter against Ft. Hays State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-Class 3A receiver and three-time state champion at Rossville HS.

WHERE THERE'S A WIL
Receiver Wil Amos (Fr.-RS/Afton, Okla.) is in his second season with the Hornets.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Daily Oklahoman and Tulsa World All-State Selection. He had 3,247 yards and 45 touchdowns on the ground and threw for 1,269 yards and 16 touchdowns as a senior to lead Afton to state championship. He was a two-time 800m and 400m State Champion in track

ANY GIVEN SATURDAY
Receiver Travon Jones (Jr./Mesquite, Texas) is in his third season with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He made a move to running back against Missouri Southern and had three carries for 16 yards. He had a 19 yard reception against Lindenwood. He returned 22 kicks for 489 yards on the season with a long of 75 yards against Missouri Southern.

ON THE SURFACE
Receiver Seth Surface (Sr./Perry, Kan.) is in his fifth year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He caught two passes for 18 yards against Lindenwood.
IN HIS CAREER-He saw action in six games last season.
IN HIGH SCHOOL- He was a first-team All-Big 7 Conference performer at quarterback for Perry -Lecompton HS. He had over 2100 yards of total offense and 26 total touchdowns as a senior.   

MACK TRUCK
Receiver J.T. Mackey (Jr./Ennis, Texas) is in his first year at Emporia State.
AT KILGORE CC-He had 19 catches for 201 yards for the SWJCFC Conference Champions under current Northeastern State coach J.J. Eckert.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a First-Team All-District receiver for Ennis HS.

CORN ON THE COBB
Receiver Andre Thomas-Cobb (Jr./Ft. Myers, Fla.) is in his first season with the Hornets.
AT COFFEYVILLE CC-He had 17 receptions, six of them resulting in touchdowns, for 446 yards for the Red Ravens.
AT WESTERN KENTUCKY-Red-shirted the 2015 season after signing with the Hilltoppers out of high school.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He caught 17 passes for 299 yards and three touchdowns as a senior. He also scored two touchdowns on fumble recoveries.

LEMONADE
Receiver Kai Lemons (Jr./Derby, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
AT HUTCHINSON CC-Played one year before transferring to Emporia State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Second-Team All-State selection and First-Team All-League  as a senior for Derby HS.

STRONG ONE
Receiver Dexton Swinehart (Fr.-RS/Lyndon, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was the Kansas Class 2-1A Offensive Player of the Year and a Topeka Capital Journal Top 33 selection. He earned Topeka Capital Journal and Wichita Eagle 2017 First-Team Offensive and Defensive All-State honors.
 
S-BACK
S-back is another position that took a hit with graduation.  Denzel Strong was a four year player for the Hornets and was the fifth leading receiver for Emporia State last year.
Senior Marcellus Edwards appeared in six games last year at S-Back after making a switch from defensive line during training camp.  Junior Zac Cahill and red-shirt freshman Case Cochran will be in consideration for the position as well.

HAMMER
S-Back Marcellus Edwards (Sr./Little Rock, Ark.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He made the switch from defense to offense during training camp.
AT ROCHESTER TECH COLLEGE-He had 5.5 sacks and 34 tackles as a defensive end at the Minnesota school.

39 CLUES
S-Back Zac Cahill (Jr./Olathe, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
IN HIS CAREER-He caught one pass for five yards against Neb.-Kearney as a red-shirt freshman in 2017.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team All-Sunflower League performer as a senior after earning second-team honors as a junior at Olathe East HS. He as a member of the Hawks 4x400m relay team that won a state championship

FAMILY AFFAIR
S-Back Case Cochran (Fr.-RS/Cashion,Okla.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was the 2016 District Offensive MVP and 2017 District Receiver of the Year for Cashion HS.

RUNNING BACKS
It will be somewhat of a new look for the Hornet backfield this season with nine of the ten running backs in only their first or second year at Emporia State.
The last four years Landon Nault has been the primary ball carrier for Emporia State. Last year he led the MIAA in rushing and became the first player since Harlon Hill Trophy winner Brian Shay to lead Emporia State in rushing for four straight years.  
Kai Callins came to Emporia State the same year Nault did, but due to two knee injuries sat out the 2015 and 2016 seasons.  He has been the Hornets second leading rusher the last two years and has 1,147 career rushing yards. He is the only returning Hornet with at least ten rushes in his career.
Redshirt freshman Calvin Boyce and junior transfer Carlos Grace will also be in contention for the running back spot.  
Junior Jordan Birch is coming back from a knee injury suffered in the first spring practice at Emporia State. He played in six games last year for Illinois State with 86 yards on 14 carries. He saw action in 10 games and finished the season with 77 yards and a touchdown in 2017. He was a First-Team All-State running back for Andover Central HS.
Junior Vinnie Shabazz transferred to Emporia State from Bulter CC. He had 408 yards on 100 carries with two touchdowns during two years with the Grizzlies. Juwan Johnson comes to Emporia State after playing receiver at NEO A&M last season. Noah Diaz was the leading rusher for Friends University last season with 421 yards on 116 carries with three touchdowns.

TRIUMPHANT
Running back Kai Callins (Gr./Guthrie, Okla.) is a sixth year senior on the field for the Hornets due to a pair of knee injuries and has already graduated. He has 1,147 rushing yards in his career.
AS A JUNIOR-He gained 63 yards on ten rushes against Missouri Southern. He rushed six times for 34 yards and added two catches for 25 yards at Central Missouri. He had five catches for 37 yards against Ft. Hays State. He had 38 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown at Neb.-Kearney.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He gained 55 yards on 12 carries against Washburn. He had a team high 46 yards on eight rushes at Ft. Hays State. He had ten carries for 45 yards against Pittsburg State. He ran for 83 yards on a career high 25 carries with two touchdowns and a touchdown reception at Lindenwood. He had 72 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries with 72 yards on seven punt returns against Northeastern State. He had 66 yards on 16 carries at Missouri Southern. He had four carries for 12 yards, a punt return for 14 yards and a 44 yard kick return at Northwest Missouri in his return to the lineup.
He was injured at Neb.-Kearney in 2016 and received a medical redshirt. He had one reception for ten yards against Northwest Missouri in his first action after sitting out the 2015 season following a knee injury in spring ball.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had 346 rushing yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman in 2014. He had 101 yards on 24 carries with a touchdown against Ft. Hays State. He led Emporia State with 107 yards on 11 carries including a 57 yard touchdown run against Mo. Southern.

CALVIN AND HOBBES
Running back Calvin Boyce (Fr.-RS/Prague,Okla.) is in his second season with the Hornets.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an Oklahoma VYPE Magazine All-Star Team Selection after he scored 36 touchdowns as a senior.

GRACEFUL
Running back Carlos Grace (Jr./Crosby, Texas) is in his first season at Emporia State.
AT BLINN JC-He gained 2,193 yards in two seasons at Blinn. He had 1,001 yards and six touchdowns as a sophomore after gaining 1,192 yards with 11 TD as a freshman.

OFFENSIVE LINE
Although Emporia State graduated the leading passer, the leading rusher and the leader in touchdown receptions from last year, the offensive cupboard is not entirely empty. The one position the Hornets did not take a hit with graduation is the offensive line as four out of five starters return from last season.  
Senior Austin Unterreiner earned second-team All-MIAA honors last year at the right guard position.  Senior Estevan Arana is a three-time honorable mention All-MIAA performer at tackle. Senior tackle Stephen Williams has played in 28 games with ten starts in his career and has seen action in three playoff games. Sophomore Hayden Reed became the first freshman to start at center for the Hornets since 2008 last season and rounds out the returning starters.  
Emporia State has more experience after those four as well. Junior guard Tyler Banta is in his fourth year with the Hornets and played in three games last year. He is in-line to take over the fifth starting spot. Sophomore tackle Xavier Cason played in four games as a true freshman last season.  Junior Jarrett Roy played in four games at center last season after transferring in from Butler CC.
Red-shirt freshmen Aaron Clark and Brandon Kane along with sophomore Miles Wade will provide depth up front.

SPIDERMAN
Tackle Estevan Arana (Sr./Enid, Okla.) was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection last year. He has 31 starts in 34 career games at Emporia State.
AS A JUNIOR-He earned his second Squarehead Award of the season against Neb.-Kearney. He was named the Squarehead Award winner after week one's win at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer last season. He earned his second straight Squarehead Award against Pittsburg State and his third of the season. He was also the Squarehead winner at Lindenwood. He was named the Squarehead Award winner at Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was named honorable mention All-MIAA in 2016. He was named the Squarehead Award winner at Central Missouri. He saw his first action for the Hornets against Northwest Missouri after redshirting in 2015.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a three-year letterwinner for Enid HS and earned all-conference, all-district and all-state honors on the offensive line.

PLAY RIGHT AWAY
Guard Austin Unterreiner (Sr./O'Fallon, Mo.) is in his fourth year at Emporia State.
AS A JUNIOR-He was named the Squarehead Award winner against Ft. Hays State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He got his first career start at Missouri Southern in 2017.
AS A FRESHMAN-He moved into the offensive line rotation as a true freshman in 2016.  He played much of the second half at Pittsburg State at right tackle.
IN HIGH SCHOOL- He was a first-team all-conference and second-team all-district performer for Francis Howell HS.

FRESHMAN PHENOM
Center Hayden Reed (Soph./Celina, Texas) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He became the first freshman to start at center for the Hornets under coach Higgins since Lance Uhles in 2008. There have only been three regular starters at center in that time - three year careers by Jake Warehime (2015-17) and Daniel Goodman (2012-14) in addition to Uhles four year career (2008-11).
IN HIGH SCHOOL- He was a first-team All-District performer on the offensive line for Celina HS.

BIG STEVE
Tackle Steve Williams (Sr./St. Louis, Mo.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He was named Squarehead Award winner against Lindenwood.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He earned the Squarehead Award winner against Ft. Hays State last year. He was named the Squarehead Award winner for the Neb.-Kearney game in his first start of the season.
AS A FRESHMAN-He sat out the 2016 season after playing in 12 games with seven starts as a true freshman for the Hornets in 2015.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team all-conference performer on the offensive line for Clayton HS and a four-year letter winner.

OLE ROY
Center Jarrett Roy (Jr./Hoyt, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was named Squarehead Award winner against Missouri Southern.

X MARKS THE SPOT
Tackle Xavier Cason (Soph./Junction City, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He made the two-deep as a true freshman.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Class 6A All-State Honorable Mention pick and 2018 Shrine Bowl Participant. He is the younger brother of former Hornet linebacker Manny Cason.

GET THE JOKE
Guard Tyler Banta (Jr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
IN HIS CAREER-He has played in five games in his career.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team Class 5A OCA All-Star and Carl Albert HS Lineman of the Year.

DEFENSE
While the offense will be one of the most inexperienced groups in Coach Higgins 13 years at Emporia State, the defense might be the most experienced group the Hornets have had in his tenure. The Hornets return a player that has started at least five games at all 11 positions including 13 of their top 15 tacklers from a year ago.

LINEBACKERS
Although there is not a senior in the group, the talk of the Hornet defense begins with junior middle linebacker Jace McDown. He was named Second-Team All-MIAA last season after leading the MIAA with 127 total tackles, 79 solo tackles, and five forced fumbles. He was third in the nation in forced fumbles, fourth in total tackles and eighth in solo tackles.
Sophomore Dawson Hammes played in nine games as a freshman last year and had a season high four solo stops against Missouri Southern. Junior transfer Gee Stanley comes to Emporia State from Coffeyville CC where he recorded 47 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss last season.
Junior Jordan Griffin and sophomore Cade Harelson had five and four starts respectively at outside linebacker last season. Griffon had 21 tackles while Harelson was credited with 20 last year.  Junior Cole Baird played in 11 games last year and had three tackles with two solo stops at Washburn.

GET DOWN
Linebacker Jace McDown (So./Columbus, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets and was named a preseason All-American by Lindy's
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was named Second-Team All-MIAA last season after leading the MIAA with 127 total tackles, 79 solo tackles, and five forced fumbles. He was ranked third in the nation in forced fumbles, fourth in total tackles and eighth in solo tackles. He had 12 tackles at Central Oklahoma, eight of them solo. He had nine tackles with one for a loss against Missouri Southern. He earned his second MIAA Defensive Player of the Week award after recording a career high 14 tackles and forcing two fumbles at Washburn. He had 11 tackles and one tackle for loss against Missouri Western. He was credited with nine tackles, 2.0 tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry at Central Missouri. He had 12 tackles, a forced fumble, pass break up and an interception against Ft. Hays State to earn MIAA and D2Football.com Defensive Player of the Week honors. He led the Hornets with nine tackles, had a forced fumble and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He had 11 solo stops, 2.5 TFL and his first career sack against Lindenwood. He was credited with 12 tackles including a sack at Neb.-Kearney. He had 11 tackles with an assisted tackle for loss against Pitt State. He had six tackles with a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry in his first career start at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was a regular on special teams for Emporia State as a freshman last season. He was credited with two solo tackles against Washburn. He had four tackles on special teams against Missouri Western.  
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a Kansas Top 11 pick and Offensive Player of the Year in Class 4A-II with 2,667 rushing yards and 39 touchdowns as he led Columbus HS to the Class 4A-II semifinals and an 11-1 record. He had 121 tackles as a senior and recorded 401 tackles on defense in his career.

DAWSON'S CREEK
Linebacker Dawson Hammes (Soph./Rossville, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He played in all 11 games last season. He had a career high four tackles against Missouri Southern. He had two stops against Missouri Western. He had two solo tackles against Ft. Hays State. He was credited with a solo tackle at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-State and Top 33 selection in the state of Kansas. He earned first-team All-Mid-East League with 172 tackles, with six sacks and three pass deflections as a senior. He was a three-time state champ at Rossville HS playing for his father, former Hornet Derick Hammes.

GEE-WHIZ
Linebacker Gee Stanley (Jr./Miami, Fla.) is in his first year with the Hornets.
AT COFFEYVILLE CC-He recorded 47 tackles and 9.5 TFL's and three sacks for the Ravens.
AT ROBERT MORRIS-He was the Northeast Conference Defensive Rookie of the Year as a freshman at Robert Morris and was named a HERO Sports FCS Freshman All-American. He had 59 tackles with 12.5 tackles for loss.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a three-star prospect by 247sports.com and a two-star prospect by Rivals. He was a Top 100 outside linebacker recruit in the 2016 class according to 247sports. He was named to the Florida Class 8A all-state third team after recording 104 tackles, 56 of themsolo, in his senior season.

THE BAIRD OF THE LAKE
Linebacker Cole Baird (Jr./Silver Lake, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He had two tackles at Washburn.
AS A FRESHMAN: He played in five games for Emporia State as a freshman.
IN HIGH SCHOOL: He was a first team All-Class 3A selection for Silver Lake HS. He had 65 tackles and two interceptions for the Eagles as a senior.

WHOA, WHOA, WHOA, WHOA
Linebacker Jordan Griffin (Jr./St. Louis, Mo.) is in his second year at Emporia State after transferring from Ft. Scott CC.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He played in 11 games last year. He had three tackles and a pass break up in his first career start at Washburn. He recorded two tackles at Central Missouri. He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-At Ft. Scott CC he had a 100 yard interception return for a touchdown against Iowa Western. He had an 84 yard fumble return for a touchdown for Trinity Catholic HS.

PROCESSIONAL
Linebacker Cade Harelson (Soph./Davenport, Okla.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was credited with four unassisted tackles against Missouri Southern. He had four solo tackles against Missouri Western. He had two tackles and his first career interception at Central Missouri. He was credited with an assisted tackle and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney.  He recorded four tackles with 1.5 sacks in his Emporia State debut at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an All-Little City First team selection and all-state honoree for Davenport HS. He was the eight man football Class B-7 District MVP.

THE LAW
Linebacker Lawson Holbert (Sr./Leawood, Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He had an interception return of 33 yards at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with three tackles at Washburn. He had two tackles against Missouri Western. He had two assisted tackles at Central Missouri. He had four tackles against Ft. Hays State. He had two tackles against Lindenwood.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had seven tackles with a 43 yard interception return for a touchdown for the Blue Dragons last season. He was an honorable mention All-Eastern Kansas League pick at receiver for Blue Valley HS.

BARGAIN WITH ME
Linebacker Jack Barger (Fr.-RS/DeSoto,Kan.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was named a First-Team All-Class 4A Division I linebacker by the Kansas Football Coaches Association.

DEFENSIVE LINE
As good of a group the linebackers are, the defensive line might be better.  Senior Parker Bass was a Second-Team All-MIAA selection. Senior Tre'Vaun Ammons was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer last season after earning Second-Team All-MIAA honors as a sophomore.   
Junior Marek Thompson was an honorable mention All-MIAA selection last season and has 8.0 tackles for loss in his first two years.
Six more returners recorded at least one tackle for the Hornets last season. Senior Jackson Maase is in his fifth year at Emporia State. He is joined by juniors Dylann Haworth, Jahmek Murphy and Cody Swanson, sophomores Hawkens Taylor and Anthony Burton to give Emporia State one of their deepest defensive fronts in recent years.
Redshirt freshman Jordan Williams could also add to the depth of the front line after earning first-team all-conference honors for Hazelwood East HS as a senior in 2017.

THE FIRST DAY
Defensive end Tre'Vaun Ammons (Sr./Omaha, Neb.) is in his fifth year with the Hornets and is the MIAA's active leader with 17.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss.  
AS A JUNIOR-He was named honorable mention All-MIAA on the defensive line. He had seven tackles at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with five tackles and a quarterback hurry against Missouri Western. He recorded seven tackles, 2.5 TFL, a sack, and recovered a fumble against Ft. Hays State. He had six solo tackles against Lindenwood. He was credited with four tackles and a forced fumble at Neb.-Kearney. He had five tackles and was in on a sack at Northeastern State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He earned second-team All-MIAA honors in 2017. He led the MIAA and ranked 25th in the nation in tackles for loss last year and was second in the league in sacks.  He recorded 17.5 TFL, 8.5 sacks, and 53 total tackles to go with four forced fumbles, six quarterback hurries and an interception.  
He recorded a career high ten tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks against Washburn. He had a nine tackles with 3.5 TFL and 1.5 sacks at Ft. Hays State. He was credited with six tackles, 2.5 TFL and a pass break up at Lindenwood. He had four tackles, 3.0 TFL and a sack against Northeastern State. He had four tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a pass break up against Central Missouri. He recorded six tackles, two quarterback hurries, a sack and forced fumble at Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was fourth in the MIAA with 7.0 sacks as a freshman in 2016. He was credited with five tackles and three pass break ups in the playoff game at Northwest Missouri. He had six tackles, 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and blocked a punt against Minn.-Duluth. He was credited with four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a pass break up and two quarterback hurries at Missouri Western. He had a sack and forced fumble against Ft. Hays State. He had five tackles including one for a loss at Pittsburg State. He had four tackles, half a sack and two quarterback hurries against Lindenwood. He had a sack and strip in the end zone at Northeastern State that resulted in a Hornet defensive touchdown. He had three tackles and recovered a fumble at Central Missouri. He had two unassisted tackles and a quarterback hurry in his Hornet debut against Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He has 32.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks in 36 career games. He is ranked third among active NCAA Division II players and fifth in all divisions in forced fumbles with eight.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a second-team All-Metro selection for Omaha North HS and had 93 total tackles as a senior.

BASSMASTER
Defensive lineman Parker Bass (Sr./Emporia, Kan) was named second-team All-MIAA last year after he led the MIAA with three fumble recoveries and finished third with 6.5 sacks.
AS A JUNIOR-He led the MIAA and ranks ninth in the nation with three fumble recoveries. He was third in the MIAA  with 6.5 sacks while ranking fourth in the conference with 11.5 tackles for loss.
He recorded eight tackles and was credited with 1.5 sacks at Central Oklahoma. He had four tackles at Washburn. He earned his second MIAA Defensive Player of the Week award with five tackles and a 74 yard fumble return for a touchdown against Central Missouri. He had five tackles, one for a loss and had a fumble forced and recovered against Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri. He was credited with a sack and a quarterback hurry against Lindenwood. He had five tackles with one for a loss against Pittsburg State. He was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career best 3.5 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss at Northeastern State. All five of his tackles were behind the line of scrimmage against the RiverHawks.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He had a pass break up, a quarterback hurry and an assisted tackle against Missouri Western. He was credited with four tackles, including two assisted tackles for loss at Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles and two quarterback hurries against Pittsburg State. He recorded three tackles with an assisted tackle for loss at Lindenwood. He had three tackles, 1.5 TFL, a sack and a quarterback hurry against Northeastern State. He recorded four tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had four tackles including an assisted tackle for loss against Central Missouri.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was credited with three tackles at Pittsburg State as a freshman in 2016. He recorded three tackles at Northeastern State. He had two unassisted tackles against Central Oklahoma. He recorded two solo tackles at Central Missouri. He had two tackles against Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a second-team Top 11 pick as a senior for Emporia HS and was the Co-Defensive Player of the Year in the Centennial League as a senior.

STRENGTH FROM WITHIN
Defensive lineman Marek Thompson (Jr./Osceola, Mo.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets and was named honorable mention All-MIAA on the defensive line last year.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He recorded five tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had three solo tackles against Missouri Southern. He had a career high six tackles at Washburn. He had four tackles including two sacks and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He had five tackles, four of them unassisted, against Lindenwood. He was credited with five assisted tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded three tackles against Pittsburg State. He had a solo tackle at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a sack and a forced fumble against Washburn last season. He recorded three tackles against Missouri Western. He had two tackles, one for a loss and knocked down a pass at the line of scrimmage at Ft. Hays State. He had four tackles with two of them for a loss against Pittsburg State. He had two assisted tackles, one behind the line of scrimmage, at Lindenwood. He had three tackles against Central Missouri. He had two tackles against Neb.-Kearney. He had four tackles at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He is also a member of the Emporia State track & field team and placed 11th in the MIAA in the discus in 2018.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a two-time first-team All-State pick and unanimous selection as a senior. He was a Missouri state finalist for the Wendy's HS Heisman.

MAASE WINDU
Defensive lineman Jackson Maase (Sr./Overland Park, Kan.) is in his fifth year with the Hornets.
AS A JUNIOR-He had three tackles includingone for a loss against Ark.-Monticello. He had two solo tackles at Central Oklahoma. He was credited with four tackles against Missouri Western. He recorded a solo sack against Ft. Hays State. He had three stops at Northwest Missouri. He had a tackle for loss against Lindenwood. He had three tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with three assisted tackles with one of them behind the line of scrimmage against Pittsburg State. He had two tackles including an assist behind the line of scrimmage and had a fumble recovery of 26 yards.
AS A SOPHOMORE- He was credited with a solo tackle against Central Missouri last year. He had one tackle at Northwest Missouri.
AS A FRESHMAN-He played in four games and recorded a solo tackle against Minnesota Duluth in the playoffs in 2016.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was named second-team All-Eastern Kansas League as a junior when he helped lead Blue Valley HS to the Class 5A State championship but missed several games as a senior due to an injury.

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND
Defensive lineman Dyllan Haworth (Jr./Weatherford, Okla.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets. AS A SOPHOMORE-He was credited with an assisted sack at Central Oklahoma. He had two solo stops against Pittsburg State. He was in on a tackle for loss at Northeastern State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He recorded two solo tackles against Pittsburg State last season. He had two tackles against Northeastern State. He was credited with two assisted tackles in his Emporia State debut at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIS CAREER-He is also a member of the Hornet Track & Field team. He finished in the top 20 in the MIAA in both the shot and discus last spring.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a first-team Class 4A All-Star in Oklahoma on the offensive line for Weatherford HS

OFF THE FERRY
Defensive lineman Jahmek Murphy (Sr./Staten Island, N.Y.) is in his second year with Emporia State after transferring from ASA College.
AS A JUNIOR-He had a solo tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry at Central Missouri. He sealed the win against Ft. Hays State with a sack on the final play of the game. He had a tackle for loss on second and goal that helped hold Pittsburg State to a field goal.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC-He had nine tackles in seven games with three tackles for loss and a sack at ASA College in New York last season. He graduated from Tottenville HS.

IT'S IN THE BROTH
Defensive lineman Cody Swanson (Jr./Emporia, Kan.) is in his third year with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE: He played in four of the last five games. He had solo tackles against Central Oklahoma and Missouri Southern.
IN HIGH SCHOOL/CC: Attended Highland CC after graduating from Emporia HS. He was a first-team All-Centennial League performer for the Spartans in 2014.

STRANGER THINGS
Defensive lineman Hawkens Taylor (Soph./Flower Mound, Texas) is in his third season at Emporia State
AS A FRESHMAN-He had two solo tackles at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a First-team All-District 6-6A at defensive tackle as a senior after earning first-team All-District 5-6A as a defensive end his junior year for Marcus HS.

WILLIAMS AUTOMOTIVE
Defensive lineman Jordan Williams (Fr.-RS/St Louis, Mo.) is in his second year with the Hornets.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a First-Team All-Conference Defensive Lineman as a senior. He also participated on the track & field team for Hazelwood East HS where he threw shot put.

DEFENSIVE BACKS
The defensive secondary might be the most experienced unit on the team. Six of the returning defensive backs have started at least four games in a season
Senior Gary Woods II returns to the defensive backfield after earning honorable mention All-MIAA honors at linebacker last year. He also earned honorable mention all-league honors as a sophomore at safety.
Junior Kyle Rinck was second in the MIAA with 14 passes broken up last season. It was the most pass break ups without an interception in the MIAA last year.
Senior Roscoe Gatewood III had 41 tackles in the first seven games before a season ending knee injury last year. Senior Jawill Aldridge had a season high eight tackles against both Washburn and Ark.-Monticello last year. Junior Jordan Wallace recorded 39 tackles last year with a season's best 35 yard interception return against Pittsburg State.
Sophomore Jaedon Pool had five starts as a true freshman before getting slowed by injuries.  Sophomore Kelin Gordon returns to the line up after missing all of last year with a knee injury.  He started the final three games as a true freshman in 2017.
Senior Lawson Holbert, junior Blake Wilson and sophomore Trey Morris provide the Hornets with a very deep and talented defensive backfield.

BRING THE WOOD
Safety Gary Woods II (Sr./Oklahoma City, Okla.) is in his fifth year at Emporia State. He earned honorable mention All-MIAA honors at linebacker last season.  .
AS A JUNIOR-He was fourth in the MIAA and 19th in the nation in fumbles forced and was sixth in the conference in solo tackles. He had 12 tackles at Central Oklahoma. He had ten tackles and a pass break up against Missouri Western. He was credited with a forced fumble and a pass break up at Central Missouri. He recorded nine tackles and forced a fumble inside the five yard line against Ft. Hays State. He had six tackles, a pass break up and forced a fumble at Northwest Missouri. He had ten tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He recorded ten tackles against Pittsburg State.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was an honorable mention All-MIAA performer at safety in 2017. He had nine tackles against Washburn. He recorded ten tackles against Missouri Western. He had eight tackles with a six yard tackle for loss at Ft. Hays State. He recorded eight tackles at Central Oklahoma, in his first start at nickel backer after beginning season at safety. He had eight tackles, including one for a loss against Central Missouri. He was credited with seven tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break up at Missouri Southern.
AS A FRESHMAN-He was tied for 21st in the MIAA in interceptions in 2016 as a freshman. He had five tackles with an assisted TFL at Pittsburg State. He had six tackles against Lindenwood. He had an interception at Northeastern State. He recorded six tackles against Central Oklahoma. He had three tackles and an interception at Central Missouri.  
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a two-time all-Southwest Prep Conference (includes schools from Oklahoma and Texas) selection at Casady Prep School and named second-team Little All-City by the Daily Oklahoman. He has three uncles that played in the NFL Rashaun Woods, D'Juan Woods and Donovan Woods.

iSPY
Cornerback Kyle Rinck (Jr./Independence, Kan.) is in his fourth year with the Hornets.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He was ranked second in the MIAA with 14 passes defended. He had a career high ten solo tackles at Central Oklahoma along with a pass break up. He broke up three passes and had seven tackles at Washburn. He had four tackles, one tackle for loss, a pass break up and a blocked PAT against Missouri Western. He matched his career high with eight tackles and had two pass break ups at Central Missouri. He had a career high eight tackles, three pass break ups and recovered a fumble against Ft. Hays State. He had three tackles, including one for a loss at Northwest Missouri. He had five tackles, four of them unassisted, against Lindenwood. He had two tackles and a pass break up at Neb.-Kearney. He had a tackle and two pass break ups in his first career start against Pittsburg State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was an honorable mention all-state performer for Independence HS.

JUMP IN THE POOL
Cornerback Jaedon Pool (Soph./Midwest City, Okla.) is in his second season with the Hornets.
AS A FRESHMAN-He had a solo tackle and a pass break up at Washburn. He had two tackles and a pass break up at Northwest Missouri. He two tackles and two pass break ups against Lindenwood. He had a pair of tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He was credited with five solo tackles and a pass break up against Pittsburg State. He had two solo tackles and a fumble recovery in his first game as a Hornet at Northeastern State.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was a First-Team All-District pick on defense for Carl Albert HS. He had 75 tackles, five Sacks and an Interception on defense while catching 22 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. He was part of back-to-back State Championship teams in football in 2016 and 2017 and was a part of the 2017 Track & Field State Championship team.  

CHI-TOWN
Cornerback Jawil Aldridge (Sr./Chicago, Ill.) is in his second year with the Hornets after transferring from Butler CC.
AS A JUNIOR-He tied his career high with eight tackles against Ark.-Monticello. He eight tackles with two behind the line of scrimmage at Washburn. He was credited with five tackles at Central Missouri. He recorded four tackles against Lindenwood. He had two solo tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had a tackle, a fumble recovery and two pass break ups at Northeastern State.
PREVIOUS SCHOOLS-He had 29 tackles for Butler CC as a sophomore in 2017. He redshirted at Illinois State in 2015.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He recorded 78 tackles and picked off four passes, while causing two fumbles at Marist HS. He led Marist to the semifinals of the IHSA state playoffs.

AIR JORDAN
Safety Jordan Wallace (Jr./Denton, Texas) is in his second year with the Hornets after transferring from Coffeyville CC.
AS A SOPHOMORE-He matched his career high with six tackles at Central Oklahoma. He recorded a career high six tackles with a pass break up at Washburn. He had five tackles against Missouri Western. He was credited with five tackles against Lindenwood. He recorded a career high five tackles at Neb.-Kearney. He had four tackles and returned an interception 35 yards against Pittsburg State. He had two solo tackles at Northeastern State.
AT COFFEYVILLE CC-He had 21 tackles and two pass break ups for the Red Ravens in 2017. He originally Signed with Iowa State out of high school.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was ranked as a Three Star Recruit, and listed in the top 100 in the state of Texas. He was a First-Team All-District at Guyer HS. He had 76 tackles, two forced fumbles and an interception as a senior.

THE BIRD
Safety Trey Morris (Soph./Cushing, Okla.) is in his third year at Emporia State.
AS A FRESHMAN-He forced a fumble at Central Oklahoma. He had a career high five tackles at Northwest Missouri. He had a tackle and returned a kick-off 46 yards against Lindenwood.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He earned All-District, all-area, and all-state honors at Cushing HS. He had 35 catches for 873 yards and 15 touchdowns and carried the ball 36 times for 365 yards.

COMEBACK KID
Cornerback Kelin Gordon (Soph./Del City, Okla.) is in his third season with the Hornets. He sat out last season with an injury.
AS A TRUE FRESHMAN-He had a pass break up and a tackle at Ft. Hays State. He had a solo tackle and a pass break up against Pittsburg State along with a 26 yard kick off return. He had three tackles at Lindenwood. He was credited with one tackle and returned two kicks for 13 yards against Northeastern State. He had two tackles at Central Oklahoma and returned two kicks for a total of 37 yards. He was credited with three tackles at Missouri Southern and had three kick returns for a total of 50 yards. He had a solo tackle against Neb.-Kearney and returned one kick 25 yards. The only true freshman on the travel roster, he had two assisted tackles at Northwest Missouri.
IN HIGH SCHOOL-He was the District 5A-1 defensive back of the year for Del City HS. He earned All-District and All-Big City selection after recording 44 tackles, seven interceptions and one fumble recovery as a senior. He was also a member of Del City HS state championship 4x100m relay team.

SPECIAL TEAMS
With two freshmen kickers the Hornets only attempted six field goals last year and were 40 of 48 on extra point attempts.  
Sam Dobbins (Soph./Emporia, Kan.) and Clark Schoonover (Soph./Andover, Kan.) both return after splitting the kicking duties last year.  Dobbins, who missed seven games with an injury, hit both field goals made by the Hornets last year, connecting on tries from 30 and 24 yards against Missouri Southern.  He was 19 of 23 on PATs and at one point hit 18 straight.  Schoonover was 21 of 25 on PATs last season.
Tyler Harris handled most of the punting duties last year however Dobbins punted five times for an average of 43.8 yards per punt.  He averaged 47.7 yards on three punts with a 55 yarder in Emporia State's Corsicana Bowl win.  Freshman Ross Brungardt (Fr./Lawrence, Kan.) had six punts of at least 50 yards for Lawrence HS last year.
Kai Callins led Emporia State with 11 punt returns last year for an average of 4.6 yards per return. Travon Jones had 22 kick-off returns last year for an average of 22.2 yards per return.  He had a season long 75 yard kick retrun against Missouri Southern.
Austin Passmore (Sr./Tulsa, Okla.) is in his second year as deep snapper after transferring to ESU from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M last year.

CAPTAINS
This year's team captains are defensive back Roscoe Gatewood III, safety Gary Woods II, running back Kai Callins, linebacker Jace McDown, and offensive lineman Austin Unterreiner.

HEAD COACH GARIN HIGGINS
Former Hornet Garin Higgins is in his 13th season at his alma mater having transformed Hornet football into a national power, taking Emporia State to the postseason in five of the last seven years. He has a 129-70 record in his 17 years as a head coach and 78-61 in his 13th season at Emporia State. His 78 wins are the second most in Emporia State history behind Fan Welch's 115 from 1928-54. He has built the Hornets the right way during his 12 seasons and orchestrated one of the great turnarounds in Emporia State history. The Hornets have gone 59-25 over the last seven years after going 19-36 in his first five seasons.
He is the 21st head football coach at Emporia State, was the first to lead the Hornets to ten wins in two different seasons and has done it in three seasons. He has coached in more post season games than any one in Emporia State history. He completed his ninth season by taking his alma mater deeper into the NCAA Division II playoffs than ever before in 2015 while winning seven more games than in 2014. In 2013 he became just the second coach to take the Hornets to the NCAA Playoffs and is one of just six Emporia State coaches to take the Hornets to a post season game of any type.
He had led the Hornets to within just one game of a post season berth in 2010 and 2011 before winning the Kanza Bowl in 2012 and was one win away in 2017. He joins Larry Kramer, Fran Welch and Bill Hargis as the only Emporia State coaches to have a span of four straight winning seasons.
He compiled a 51-9 record as the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State University before becoming the co-offensive coordinator at Minnesota State in 2005. He was the offensive coordinator at Northeastern State in 2006.  While at Northwestern Oklahoma State, he was named the Central State Football League Coach of the Year five straight years from 2000 through 2004. The Rangers won 31 consecutive games from 1998 through 2000.
A native of Blackwell, Okla., Higgins graduated from Emporia State in 1992. He was a four-year letterman for the Hornets and helped lead the team to a national runner-up finish in 1989. He has been involved with four teams that have played for or won national championships as a player, coordinator or head coach. Higgins and his wife Heather, a 1995 graduate of ESU, are the parents of three children - son Halen and daughters Harlee and Gracyn.

LISTEN & WATCH LIVE
Video webcasts for all of Emporia State's regular season games are available on a pay per view basis from the MIAA Digital Network. The MIAA Network content is available live and is immediately archived for on-demand viewing after each event.  Fans can find the action on www.themiaanetwork.com and on The MIAA Network apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.
Audio of all Emporia State games are available on KFFX 104.9FM and at www.kvoe.com with Greg Rahe on the call and Tagan Trahoon on the sidelines. KFFX is in their 32nd straight year as the radio home of Hornet Athletics, the longest active streak between a commercial station and an MIAA school.

DID YOU CATCH IT
The Emporia State football game at Northwest Missouri on Saturday, November 7, 2015 was selected for the DII Football Showcase on the American Sports Network, giving the Hornets three televised games that season. For the entire six year run of the MIAA Television Network the Hornets had a home game featured, capped by their 45-34 win over Central Missouri in the 2015 home opener. The Hornets are third behind Missouri Western and Northwest Missouri for the most appearances on live television over the last eight years. The Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012 game against Missouri Western was the first televised match-up of nationally ranked teams from Jones Field at Welch Stadium. The Hornets have played 21 games on live television since 1997.

THE POLLS SAY
The MIAA has two teams ranked in the top 25 in the preseason AFCA National Poll with four more teams receiving votes. There are two conference teams in the D2Football.com national poll. The Hornets have been ranked in the AFCA Poll at some point during the regular season for six straight years. Emporia State is 8-10 against teams ranked in the AFCA Top 25 over the last four years, with an 8-3 record against teams other than Northwest Missouri.

BEST IN THE STATE  
Emporia State has the most wins among NCAA schools in the state of Kansas since the beginning of the 2012 season.

THE NFL EXPERIENCE
The Hornets have had 16 players play in one of the major professional football leagues.  Two Hornets have won Super Bowl rings - Kelly Goodburn with the Washington Redskins and Leon Lett with the Dallas Cowboys. Jeff Richards appeared in the playoffs last year with the Los Angeles Chargers after winning a Grey Cup with the Ottawa Redblacks in the CFL in 2016. Adam Schiltz saw action in exhibition games with the Chiefs in 2015 while Austin Willis played in exhibition action for the Buffalo Bills in 2016. Harold Ayodele was a part of the Kansas City Chiefs during training camp and saw action in exhibition games in 2011. Garin Higgins has coached four players that have gone on to play in the NFL regular season - Jeff Richards with the Chargers, Lynn Scott with the Dallas Cowboys, Sam Breeden with the Green Bay Packers, and Patrick Crayton with the Cowboys and San Diego Chargers.

A Hornet win would...
•make Emporia State 1-0 overall, 1-0 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 9-5 all-time against Northeastern State;
•be the Hornets eighth straight win over the Riverhawks;
•be the Hornets fourth straight win over the RiverHawks in Welch Stadium;
•be Emporia State's second straight season opening win;
•make Coach Higgins 79-61 at Emporia State and 130-70 overall;

A Hornet loss would...
•make Emporia State 0-1 overall, 0-1 in the MIAA;
•make Emporia State 8-6 all-time against Northeastern State;
•snap a seven game winning streak by the Hornets over the RiverHawks;
•be Emporia State's first loss to Northeastern State since 1990;
•be Emporia State's first loss in Emporia to Northeastern State since 1990;
•make Coach Higgins 78-62 at Emporia State and 129-71 overall;

WORKING OVERTIME
• The Hornets are 6-8 in overtime games with wins in six of their last eight after dropping their first four extra period contests.
• Emporia State is 4-1 in overtime games under Garin Higgins with wins in the last four games.
• The quadruple overtime game in 2006 between Emporia State and Pittsburg State was the first MIAA regular season game to go to four overtimes and the first involving an MIAA team since Northwest Missouri's 4 OT win against Carson Newman in the 1999 National Championship Game.
• The 18 point deficit (28-10) in the second quarter at Minnesota State is the largest deficit Emporia State has overcome to win a game as an NCAA school.
• Emporia State has twice overcome a 17 point deficit at the half for a win in MIAA play. Most recently they trailed 17-0 at Neb.-Kearney before rallying for a 20-17 win in week three this year. The first was against Missouri Southern in 2011 when the Hornets trailed 17-0 and eventually won 31-24 in Welch Stadium.
• Emporia State came from 17-0 down at the end of the first quarter to defeat Ft. Hays State 24-17 to open the 1992 season.