After a perfect conference season, Northwest Missouri State will start the NCAA Division II playoffs with a game today against Abilene Christian. The Bearcats received a first round bye and are seeded number two in Super Region Four. Number six seed Abilene Christian comes into this game after beating number three seed Midwestern State.These two teams know each other maybe a bit too well as they have played each other four times over the last two seasons. That includes a game in August, where Abilene Christian won a close home game over Northwest 19-14. But since that game, Northwest Missouri State is averaging close to 50 points per game.
Sophomore wide receiver Blake Soy has caught 22 touchdown passes this season and has more than 11 hundred yards receiving. Senior running back LaRon Council, the conference offensive player of the year, rushed for more than 12 hundred yards and 16 touchdowns.
Northwest Missouri State has the home field advantage in today’s ball game as they have lost just one game in Maryville since 2005. However, that was a loss to Abilene Christian.
The Bearcats have made the playoffs for six consecutive seasons and have played in the championship game in four straight years.
Today’s game will kick off at noon.