OttawaHerald.com -- Community News. Community Connections.

	Franklin County, Kansas, USA

Subscriber Services Home Delivery Gift Subscription Stop-Start Delivery Missing Paper Back Issues Newsstand Locations Shopper Locations

Advertising Services Manage Your Account Place a Classified Ad Place a Display Ad Advertise Online Business Finder Directory

Other Services Submit News Laminated Items Photos & Keepsakes Article Archives Contact Us History of the Herald Our Policies

Suggest a poll topic

2009-11-21

2009-11-18

2009-11-05

Agriculture

Lifestyles

Thursday, August 13, 2009 10:10 AM

Herald file photo

Ottawa University senior quarterback Ethan Haller returns off a record-settting junior campaign. He broke eight school records last season. He threw for 2,882 yards and 23 touchdowns. Ottawa is receiving a lot of attention nationally with its invitation to the First Downs Classic and is ranked No. 22 in the NAIA preseason poll. Ottawa was selected second by the coaches and media in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference polls.

Ottawa football program receives national attention

Braves invited to play in First Downs Classic

Last season’s 8-2 record for the Ottawa University football team opened up some eyes across the nation.

The off-season has seen the Braves gain a lot of respect, especially since Ottawa returns 15 starters from that team.

Ottawa received an invitation to play in the First Downs Classic against McKendree, Ill., Aug. 29 in Platte City, Mo. Ottawa is ranked No. 22 in the NAIA coaches preseason rankings.

Ottawa also was tabbed No. 2 by the media and coaches in the preseason Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference polls.

Sixth-year Ottawa coach Kent Kessinger said the attention is nice, but can also be a double-edged sword.

Ottawa will not sneak up on anybody this season.

Kessinger said it is nice to have respect nationally and within the KCAC.

“It is neat,” Kessinger said about the First Downs Classic game. “We are playing in something that has a name to it. We get to play somebody from a different part of the country.”

It is part of a doubleheader. The first game pits Avila vs. Doane. It is a chance to be in the spotlight.

The coach said McKendree will also have about 12 practices before the game.

“We are on equal footing,” he said. “We were able to exchange tapes in the spring.”

The coaches broke down the tapes and gave out a game plan for the returning players to work on during the summer.

Kessinger said several of the players were doing that as he watched from the sidelines this summer.

“We have a veteran group of guys,” Kessinger said.

Another factor is showcasing the KCAC on a national scale.

Kessinger said there is pressure to show what the KCAC has to offer.

“We feel the KCAC is a strong football [conference],” Kessinger said. “It is a bonus for our program.”

In the big picture, Ottawa hopes to make this season one for the record books.

“We want to be the first Ottawa team to win a playoff game,” Kessinger said.

Ottawa came up short in getting in the playoffs with a 17-13 loss to Sterling in the season finale. Kessinger said that is why it is important to be ranked heading into the season.

Last year, Ottawa did not break into the NAIA poll until mid-season.

Kessinger said Ottawa did not get ranked high enough to withstand a late season loss.

Ottawa is hungry to build on last season. The Braves return several skill position players from both the offense and defense.

“Our skilled players are extremely talented,” Kessinger said.

The coach feels the key to Ottawa’s success will be the play of the offensive and defensive lines.

“It will how [well] the guys upfront come together,” he said.

The coach feels the KCAC is getting stronger all the time.

“It is going to be a dogfight,” he said. “There is a lot of parity. There will be no weekends off.”

The coach said a team like McPherson, who was picked in the middle of the pack, could be a surprise team.

“They will be a very good football team,” Kessinger said. “Kansas Wesleyan had 26 transfers. Friends will be strong. That is only a portion of the teams.”

The players report Saturday with the first practice set for Monday. The practices are open to the public. Ottawa will have night practices through the first week, staring at 8 p.m.

Ottawa will have a scrimmage on Aug. 22, starting at 11 a.m.

Greg Mast can be reached at sports@ottawaherald.com.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

Ottawa football program receives national attention

Braves invited to play in First Downs Classic

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article | Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.

E-mail this story to a friend | Print this article |
Enjoy the convenience of home delivery of The Ottawa Herald.