2005 Around the Midwest columns
November 16, 2005
Favorites, underdogs get set for playoffs
Many teams opened training camp with August with several goals, including having a winning seasons and capturing their conference titles. But there is an old saying which goes: “Be careful what you wish for.”
November 8, 2005
Augustana, Mount St. Joseph complete comebacks
One team is nationally ranked and has gone undefeated through the gauntlet of a tough conference that featured three other nationally ranked teams at one time.
November 1, 2005
Monmouth, Lakeland in the dance
With the NCAA playoffs merely a few weeks away, two Midwest teams are already savoring successful seasons and their first-ever trips to football’s big dance.
October 26, 2005
Separated at graduation
Saturday’s game between Elmhurst and No. 19 Augustana will be something special to Augustana’s Matt Roe and Mike Ziefert and Elmhurst’s Eric Luna.
October 18, 2005
Defying the odds
The YellowJackets from Northwest Ohio captured one contest last year and lost their first two games this year. So how in four short weeks did Defiance go from the predicted sixth place team in the seven-team Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference to leading the league?
October 11, 2005
Playing hungry
At the beginning of the season, Lakeland was picked to be the team at the top of the heap when it was all said and done. No one knows better than Lakeland coach Jim Zebrowski that his team needs to make its statement.
October 4, 2005
Hanover back in driver's seat
Did anyone see outside of Hanover see Hanover’s 41-35 overtime victory over Mount St. Joseph coming? Well, Wayne Perry, coach of the Panthers, said he did. He said his players did, too.
September 28, 2005
One game not enough to decide CCIW
For Carthage and Wheaton, from the Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, one would think everything is building up to their showdown at Wheaton on Oct. 29.
September 20, 2005
Scots ruin Knights' day
Monmouth players should be walking a little taller, smiling a little wider, and hugging friends and loved ones a little tighter this week.
September 14, 2005
Willing to mess with perfection
Cincinnati’s Mount St. Joseph had its most successful football season in history last year, going a perfect 10-0, winning the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and making it to the NCAA playoffs.