MIAA PLAYERS TO WATCH IN 2013 (In no particular order)

1. Travis Partridge, QB, Missouri Western - He's come a long way since 'Little P,' the nickname I gave him as he fumbled his way through his sophomore season in 2011. On a team full of senior stars, it was Partridge who stood out the most as the Griffons took home the 2012 MIAA title.

2. Nate Dreiling, LB & Jon Brown, WR, Pittsburg State - I had to throw these two in as a package deal, because the seniors have been making plays for years,



Southwest Baptist will open the season on the road at Truman State in a non-league game with the GLVC opponent. The Bearcats return receiver Derwyn Lauderdale who caught 76 passes for 697 yards and five touchdowns. On defense Shaquille Shedd was fifth in the MIAA in tackles with 105 on the year, 3.5 of which went for a loss. Truman, in their first year since leaving the MIAA, won the meeting between the two teams last year 24-14 in Bolivar. TSU quarterback Conrad Schottel threw for 2,103 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2012. On defense Jeramey Dockery had 58 tackles on the season.