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Stars give Cardinal girls a challenge

Both St. Teresa’s Academy coach Doug Nelson and Benton coach Brett Goodwin were surprised at Monday night’s girls basketball game at Springer Gymnasium. Nelson figured his Stars would implode against a Cardinals team. Goodwin expected to see a lot of energy from his team after suffering its first loss Neither got what they expected, although the Cardinals had enough firepower to slog to a 44-27 victory.

Early hole dooms Central boys

For a team that just lost its third straight game, the Central boys felt pretty good about the majority of Tuesday night's 57-56 loss against Lee's Summit. It was the first quarter and final minute the Indians would rather forget. Sean Green hit the game-winning free throw with 2.8 seconds remaining, helping the Tigers escape a furious Central comeback.

Northwest continues to remember title game setbacks

Past losses to Grand Valley prepare Bearcats

Two heartbreaking losses to Grand Valley State in national championship games are seared into the memories of Northwest Missouri State fans. The Bearcats hope a little self-induced amnesia against the Lakers will help them earn that coveted national title today. Grand Valley defeated Northwest 21-17 in the 2005 title game as Lakers defenders stopped Northwest wide receiver Raphael Robinson just outside the end zone as time expired. In 2006, a fumble in the waning moments short-circuited a potential game-winning drive in a 17-14 Northwest loss.

Northwest football reaping accolades

The season-ending honors continued to roll in for Northwest Missouri State's football team on Tuesday. The American Football Coaches Association named senior safety Myles Burnsides to its All-America first-team defense, while the nation's sports information directors picked sophomore wide receiver Jake Soy and offensive lineman Brett Grozinger to the Daktronics All-America first-team defense. It was the second straight All-America campaign for Burnsides, who earned the honor from four publications last season.

Northwest makes fifth straight national championship game

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Quarterback Blake Bolles threw three touchdown passes to Jake Soy, and two special teams scores gave Northwest Missouri State the boost it needed Saturday night in a 56-31 victory against California University of Pennsylvania in an NCAA Division II semifinal. The victory puts Northwest in an unprecedented fifth straight national championship game - where it will play Grand Valley State on Saturday in Florence, Ala.

Western's Atkinson still defying odds

Coaches told Daniel Atkinson he wasn't good enough to play NCAA Division II football. Good thing for Missouri Western that Atkinson didn't believe them. Atkinson, who concludes his college career today in the 44th Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo., instead is making believers of those coaches.

Northwest's semifinal visits almost seem routine

MARYVILLE, Mo. - For the fourth straight season, the glare of the television spotlight is on Northwest Missouri State. Little wonder the Bearcats view the extra photo sessions and interviews as just a part of the routine in their week of preparation for today's 7:30 p.m. game against California (Pa.) in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II playoffs.

Griffons prepare for Mineral Water rematch with Augustana

Except for maybe at a playoff game, there is nowhere else the Missouri Western football team would rather be on Saturday than at Tiger Stadium in Excelsior Springs, Mo. Familiarity with the Mineral Water Bowl didn't breed contempt of the postseason game in head coach Jerry Partridge. However, one aspect of the annual bowl game doesn't appeal to him.

Bearcat's big play greeted by silence in D-2 quarterfinal

MARYVILLE, Mo. - Tyler Roach raised his big, right hand and instantly silenced a crowd of nearly 6,000 people on Saturday in Ellensburg, Wash. Roach's block of Garrett Rolsma's potential game-tying extra-point kick with just 6 seconds remaining preserved Northwest Missouri State's quarterfinal victory against top-ranked Central Washington. It also sent the No. 2 Bearcats into this weekend's semifinal game at Bearcats Stadium against California (Pa.). It was a cause for celebration on Northwest's sideline, and a kick in the gut to a rowdy Central Washington crowd.

Griffons gear back up for Mineral Water Bowl

The clock is ticking on two important things for his football program, and it's nearly enough to drive Missouri Western coach Jerry Partridge cuckoo. Partridge is doing double duty this week as he tries to get his Griffons ready for Saturday's 44th Mineral Water Bowl game against Augustana. "It's kind of a weird feeling, because your biological clock, or whatever it is, is telling you, you've got to go recruit, but it's in the middle of a game week, too," Partridge said. "There's that mix to kind of do both."

Rick Dunaway

Sports Reporter

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