ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Griffon Football is back, and so is a familiar foe as Missouri Western kicks off the 2022 season this Thursday at 7 p.m. in a clash vs. Central Oklahoma at Spratt Stadium.

Missouri Western Head Coach Matt Williamson enters his sixth season with his alma mater after rattling off his third official winning year in a row with a 6-5 mark in 2021. He gears up to take on one of the most highly accomplished head coaches in MIAA history — Adam Dorrel. After going 76-8 overall ad 57-5 with Northwest Missouri State from 2011-2016 while winning three NCAA DII Championships in 2013, 2015 and 2016, Dorrel steps foot back into Spratt Stadium for the first time since 2015 in a Bearcat 24-10 victory.

During Williamson's tenure in St. Joseph, each showdown with UCO has been decided by seven points or less in a 2-2 series split. This Thursday marks the first showdown between Williamson and Dorrel. After a 19-32 career at DI Abilene Christian from 2017-21, Dorrel inherits a 4-7 UCO team with little experience coming back on the offensive side of the ball. 

"He's been established," Williamson said. "He does a lot of different things — different fronts different personnel shifts, motions — just thinking that make you do a lot of adjustment, a lot of thinking. When you're thinking, you don't play very fast defensively. He's going do that, but I don't think he'll do it to the extent of what he's done in the past."

GRIFFONS VS. THE GLASS CEILING

Meanwhile, Missouri Western Football has established its own winning legacy in the last two daces. The program has recorded all but two winning seasons (2016-17) since 2005 with four trips to the NCAA Playoffs and six bowl games. The 2021 saw the team take a minor step back after winning consecutive Live United Bowls in 2018 and 2019. While it's been a decade since the last playoff push for MWSU, Williamson is a believer success is engrained in this squad, 

"it's all just the mindset," Williamson said. "We have the tools, we have the capability, we have a great coaching staff, we have the athletes — we have everything we need. Missouri Western has always won and always will win. It's a great school, great university, great town, great place to play. We're going to win here, and we know that."

Williamson is 26-20 overall and 24-20 in the MIAA. Undefeated in the postseason, he is confident the Griffons can take that next step up to break through the glass ceiling and into the playoffs. 

"It's chemistry — it's commitment," Williamson said. Sacrifice is really what it is, and our kids have sacrificed that often this summer. We're going win a lot of football games. We've got to get to that nine-win threshold, which we've done before, but we got to get to that 10-to-11-win mark. If we want to go where we want to go, that includes not making mistakes."

MEET THE GRIFFS

OFFENSE

Returning 19 overall starts with all 11 on offense and eight on defense, Missouri Western brings back one of the best offenses in the MIAA. The Griffons' ground game thrived with 206.5 yards per game thanks to a power offensive line and sophomore running back Brandon Hall's 627 yards gained. Joined by fellow sophomore quarterback Reagan Jones' dynamic playing style and 614 yards on the turf, the backfield is joined by sophomore Jonas Bennett, the returning junior Jared Scott and senior Titus McCoy.

Not to be forgotten is Griffons' aerial attack, kickstarted by junior wide receiver Cooper Burton and sophomore Traveon James. Thanks to Burton and James' 700 and 639 receiving yards respectively, the Griffons were granted a high-octane offense that averaged the second most points in the MIAA with 34 a game. The receiving corps received additional ammo with the likes of senior Caleb Martin and junior Mykel Santos transferring over to St. Joseph, as well as the arrival of freshman receiver Preven Christon.

The tight end room is maintained by mainstays like sophomore Tycen Gray and junior Cam Grandy. The latter is coming back from a two-year injury he sustained in 2020 after earning an All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection in 2019. 

Circling back to the crew that starts it all, the offensive line is highlighted by Evan Clark, who made the All-MIAA Third Team in 2021. The O-line has sports senior such Keegan Zars and juniors Keith Russell and Brenden McClure. Sophomore Noah Price heads the group up front at center.'

DEFENSE

When it comes to down the trenches, the Griffons trend upwards in experience and familiarity. Last year's All-MIAA standouts are sack leader junior defensive end C.J. Ravenell (seven sacks) and sophomore Brandon Johnson, who both made the third team. Inside with Johnson is junior Ison Robinson, and next to him is senior defensive and longtime Griffon A.J. Crayton.  

A young linebacking corps led by senior Isaac Wallace have shoes to fill after the graduation of Evan Chohon and his 116 tackles. Junior Anthony Villenueva joins the team via transfer, while sophomore C.J. Bufkin will play a free-roaming nickel position. 

The defensive secondary is led by some serious talent and veterans. Senior cornerback D.J. Stirgus is back for his fourth year of starting after leading the team with nine pass breakups last season. Senior safety Kobe Cummings made the All-MIAA Third Team thanks to his league-high six interceptions in 2021. Next to Cummings is senior free safety Domanic Chapa, and across the field from Stirgus includes sophomore cornerback Javerius McGuinn.

"Probably outside of Kobe, Stirgus is the second most knowledgeable of our defense and how it runs and what we do," Williamson said. "D.J. is out on an island all the time, which is good because he's really good player. (Cummings and Stirgus) just communicate together as a group and they've been around each other alot. There's a connection there, and it's pretty cool to see." 

"We've got a lot of experience on the defensive side," Williamson said. "Our captains are coaches out on the field."

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicking duties belong to the likes of freshman Preston Gregg and sophomore Cody Watson. The punters include new players like sophomore Tyson Lucas and graduate student Evan Williams. Long-snapping duties are assigned to Canaan Jackson.

Jackson and Watson are the only returning specialty players from 2021. 

SCOUTING THE BRONCHOS

Central Oklahoma senior quarterback Stephon Brown is the returning leading passer from 2021 with three picks on just 101 passes attempted in nine games. He threw 17-of-27 for 189 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 126 yards and another score on the ground last year in week one's 24-10 win vs. Missouri Western. Brown lost his starting spot after a two-interception performance during week three's 14-10 defeat against Missouri Southern.

While sporting a respectable ground attack with Jayce Gardner's 549 rushing yards, UCO's returning leading receiver is senior Daunte McGee, a 270-pound halfback who collected 245 receiving yards. Gardner was held in check by MWSU last season, only claiming 43 yards of real estate. McGee only managed three receptions for 15 yards against Missouri Western.

Sophomore defensive back Dylan Buchheit comes back after leading the team with three interception and four total takeaways. He forced a fumble in the first quarter that led to UCO building a 10-0 lead.

While the 2022 MIAA Media and Coaches Poll both voted MWSU (6-5 in 2021) seventh, Central Oklahoma (4-7) was not given much more confidence. The media tabbed the Bronchos either while the coaches' poll had them at ninth due to a tie between MWSU and UCM.

GRIFFONS VS. BRONCHOS: ALL-TIME SERIES

Missouri Western leads UCO 7-4 all-time since the two teams first tangled in 2005. The Griffons won the first four matchups, most recently winning in a 50-43 shootout in Edmond, Oklahoma, during 2019. Missouri Western has never lost back-to-back games to the Bronchos, as the typically hot Griffon offense averages 32.4 points per game against their MIAA rival.

"I'm ready to let them loose. Take the cuffs off and let it go and just play with passion and energy. It'll be fun to watch come Sept. 1."

You can watch the contest on the MIAA Network or listen at www.StJosephPost.com.

MWSU FOOTBALL 2022 SCHEDULE
*Home games denoted in bold

Thursday, September 1st  vs. Central Oklahoma, 7pm
Thursday, September 8th @ Fort Hays State, 7pm
Saturday, September 17th @ Emporia State, 1pm
Saturday, September 24th vs. Washburn, 6pm  (Family Day, Military Appreciation Day)
Saturday, October 1st  @ Northwest Missouri, 1:30pm
Saturday, October 8th  vs. Nebraska-Kearney, 4pm (Homecoming)
Saturday, October 15th @ Northeastern State 4pm
Saturday, October 22nd @ Pittsburg State TBA
Saturday, October 29th vs. Missouri Southern, 1pm (Hall of Fame Game) 
Saturday, November 5th @ Central Missouri, 1pm
Saturday, November 12th vs. Lincoln, 1pm (Senior Day)