Nov 06, 2023

MWSU football moves up in regional rankings, polls, earn MIAA accolades

Posted Nov 06, 2023 11:19 PM
Photo by A.J. Robbins.
Photo by A.J. Robbins.

By TOMMY REZAC

St. Joseph Post

In the latest NCAA Division II football regional rankings released Monday, Missouri Western football is up two spots to No. 7 in Super Region Three.

The top seven teams in each of the four regions reach the playoffs once the regular season is over. The Griffons seek their first playoff bid since 2012. Also, the Griffons are up to No. 21 in the coaches poll and 19th in the media poll.

Missouri Western senior and defensive end Dakari Streeter was named MIAA Defensive Player of the Week Monday. Streeter, with his 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble Saturday, played a key role in the win over Pitt.

His 12.5 sacks on the season lead the MIAA and are the third most in a single season by a Griffon in program history.

The accolades don’t stop there for Missouri Western. Punter Evan Williams was named Specialist of the Week Monday as well. Out of Williams's three punts, the senior pinned two inside the 20-yard line.

His first punt put the Gorillas at their own 11-yard line, eventually resulting in a turnover that MWSU converted into points in the first quarter. With 12 punts downed inside the 20 this season,

Williams is third in the MIAA in that category.

The Griffons end the regular season at Missouri Southern (4-6) on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Joplin. The game will be on KFEQ Radio (680, 95.3).

You can follow Tommy on Twitter @TommyKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.