The Victory Sports Network (VSN) and GPAC lead writer B. Lynn Fouts will once again be providing gpacsports.com a preview each week of the football season.  The GPAC thanks Barry and VSN for their continued support of GPAC Football.

There are six games on the week one GPAC football schedule.

 

by B. Lynn Fouts

Yes, I'm back for another GPAC season, couldn't stay away if it were doctor's orders. The plan this year is simple; we'll review the previous week's games a bit then head into the upcoming weekend schedule. This might be the finest, and deepest, collection of teams yet in the premier NAIA conference.

First, the GPAC went 2 and 1 on August 30 to open the fall campaign. Hastings downed Independent Peru State 26-0 and Doane stole out of Platte City, Mo (HAAC Country) with a 15-12, last second, now everyone knows how to spell Groteluschen even if they can't pronounce it, win. The freshman booted 3 fgs to earn Offensive player of the game honors in his inaugural college game while LB Josh Warren took the defensive award as the Tigers swept the show. Hastings wasted no time, literally, as Maurice Mansfield ran the opening kick-off back 85 yards for a score and the defense had several stands inside their own 10 to keep the Bobcats off the scoreboard. Briar Cliff was driving to take the lead with under 6 minutes to go when an interception was taken 89 yards for a score by Grand View who ultimately won 20-17.

  Briar Cliff travels to Blair as Dana opens its season. The Chargers were close to ending that losing streak, now at 13 games, and the advantage of a game under their belts might be enough against the Vikings. The BCU defense gave up one big play to Grand View, a 50 yard td run; otherwise they allowed only 152 yards. Kyle Gerdes and Ryan Hajek shared the Qb duties, tossing one td and one Int. Ball control will be essential for Coach Rethman's crew as the Vikings have the makings of a scoring machine. Marcus Sladek is back under center for Dana for the fourth fall and he has a good weapon in Wr Mark Schlueter to go to. Clayton Timm headlines a young but experienced O-line.

Midland Lutheran (0-0, 0-0) at Concordia (0-0, 0-0) - 7PM
  Midland Lutheran goes to Concordia for a long standing rivalry game. Warrior Coach Thiele has high hopes with several experienced skill people; Seniors Terrance Maahs at QB and Jinho Tohara at anyone of several positions. Jordan Crook will lead one of the larger O-lines in the league. Defensively, the Warriors are led by Brian Hanson at Lb. The Bulldogs counter with possibly the most experienced O-line, but needing some skill people to step up. Three loses came last fall when they could score only 10, 7, and 10 points. Consistency will be paramount. Brock Simonson will lead the defensive front for CU. Expect a tough, slug-it-out game going to the team that can finish their drives with tds, not fgs.

(#2) Sioux Falls (0-0, 0-0) at (RV) Nebraska Wesleyan (0-0, 0-0) - 6PM
  Sioux Falls heads down to Nebraska's capital city wearing the target on their collect back. The Cougars are a semi-unknown quantity right now, with so many new faces. The D-line got a facelift but the rest of the defense returns a lot of experience. One transfer, Lorenzo Brown enters the Qb derby with senior Bret Beachner to follow Chad Cavender's rather large shoes. TJ Wendt anchors a bruising O-line reinforced by several transfers while Ryan Anderson is back at wr. Host Nebraska Wesleyan counters with 9 starters back on offense led by rb Jordan Stutzman and te John Duff, but there's a new Qb to break in. The defense has some new faces, but seniors Phil Schroer db and Jim Tvrdy lb will provide solid leadership.

(#13) Northwestern (0-0, 0-0) at Dordt (0-0, 0-0) - 6PM
  Northwestern opens a new bit of history and a new rivalry on the gridiron as they travel all of about 10 miles to visit Dordt. Northwestern returns 16 starters from an unheralded 8-2 squad that was barely beaten out for the postseason last fall. With the loss of Qb Craig Hector, the O-line will need to protect its new leader and open holes for the run game. Senior defenders, Cody Van Sloten and Nate Jansen will lead an aggressive group. Coach Heavner presents his Dordt Defenders to the GPAC and hopes youth and enthusiasm helps make up for inexperienced talent. With just 15 juniors and seniors on the roster, the hosts will be looking for turnovers to help the cause; they were a plus 20 during last fall's JV schedule.

Dakota Wesleyan (0-0, 0-0) at (#7) Morningside (0-0, 0-0) - 6PM
  Dakota Wesleyan visits Morningside and brings 20 starters back from its best season in 4 years. Coach Brad Pole has the combination of qb Jon Doom to wr Bubba Slaba for a 3^rd year aided by a solid O-line. All-league Lb Daniel Wysong is the heart of the defense. Morningside enters the game with its own aerial duo plus one. Qb Ian Gilworth and wr Autuan Bloom and Beau Kildow should hook up numerous times this campaign, but several starters needed replaced on the line. Defensively, Lb Brett Nickolite and D-lineman Travis Uleman lead 8 starters back.

Doane (1-0, 0-0) at (RV) Hastings (1-0, 0-0) - 1PM
  Nothing like a good old fashioned NIAC match up to start the season. Doane brings its First Down Classic trophy to Hastings and meets the Broncos for the 92^nd time, trailing in the series 45-37-9. JR Artozqui moved the Tigers enough in the 4^th quarter to win the game against William Jewell, but will need a better effort overall against Hastings. Defensively, both squads bent but rarely broke in their openers, so do not expect a 38-35 score/fest like last year. Bronco Qb Dayton Edwards and rb Nick Grummert had fine opening games, but run into an improved Tiger D. This, like a lot of games between the two should go into the 4^th quarter. The hosts have won 9 of the last 10 meetings, but both teams come into this one 1-0.  Should be a good one at Lloyd Wilson Field.

B Lynn Fouts

(RV) = Receiving Votes