From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
MIAMI, Okla. — Rob Green, head football coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; College, has made lineup changes on offense in preparation for tonight’s home opener.
Arkansas Baptist of Little Rock visits for the 7 p.m. contest at Robertson Field.
NEO and Arkansas Baptist have opposite goals after last week’s season-opening results on the road against Kansas opponents.
Arkansas Baptist wants to keep a good thing going after winning 21-17 at Highland. NEO isn’t expected to be in a pleasant mood after losing 33-14 at Hutchinson.
Arkansas Baptist had gone winless (0-9) in its inaugural 2007 campaign. The NEO losing streak is at six since opening the 2007 season with four wins. The Golden Norsemen haven’t won since beating the Buffaloes 38-9 at Robertson Field.
Arkansas Baptist currently is in its probationary season before becoming a full-fledged member of the Southwest Junior College Football Conference next season.
The lineup changes for the Golden Norsemen include the moving of 6-foot-2, 185-pound freshman Danny Knighton from cornerback to quarterback and the insertion of 6-0, 200-pound tailback Cardell Clemons into the starting lineup.
Said Green: “Danny has had only a week to learn the system, but he has the speed and quickness to make things happen. Cardell, who had 35 yards on nine carries against Hutchinson, gives us an inside threat. Even though we’re a spread offense, we have to be able to run the ball to keep the defense going.
“We spent the entire week reemphasizing the importance of turnovers,” Green said. “Our main focus on offense is ball security. We had three interceptions and four fumbles and you can’t beat anybody with that many turnovers.
“We played solid enough defense, that if we take care of the ball, we’re going to stay in the game and have a chance to win.” Green said. “These aren’t things that our players didn’t know.
“Arkansas Baptist took its lumps last season and the Buffaloes will come in looking for revenge,” Green said. “They have a potent passing game in (quarterback Nick) Maxfield and (Eric) Turner.
“Defensively, because we held Hutchinson to only 90 passing yards, we’re in pretty good shape,” Green said. “We settled in and held them in check after they completed that one long reverse pass for 50 yards. We’ll have to have that kind of effort against Arkansas Baptist.”
Sports
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M entertains Arkansas rival today
- Sports
-
-
Kickapoo girls race past Joplin
Annie Armstrong poured in 21 points to lead the Kickapoo girls to a 65-28 victory over Joplin on Thursday night in an Ozark Conference basketball game at Missouri Southern’s Young Gymnasium.
-
Cheever is ultimate blue-collar snowboarder
As a World Cup snowboardcross racer, Jonathan Cheever has taken his share of spills over the years.
-
District wrestling tournaments begin tonight
Neosho’s wrestling lineup will have a different look when the Class 3 district wrestling tournament begins at 6 p.m. today at Carthage.
-
Late board work carries Lions past Pittsburg State
Pittsburg State displayed its offensive rebounding muscle during Wednesday night’s game at Missouri Southern.
-
Pitching holds key for softball Lions
Pitching is the main question Missouri Southern must answer as the Lions open their softball season today in Abilene, Texas.
-
Quapaw completes 12-0 run through Lucky '7' Conference
Quapaw High School girls basketball coach Rod Graves expected the 2011-12 Wildcats to compile another successful season.
They haven’t been a disappointment. -
Hillsdale women stop OCC
Visiting Hillsdale Free Will Baptist handed Ozark Christian a 68-47 loss in women’s college basketball on Thursday night.
-
Tomlin, Steelers welcome Haley as new coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.
-
Rangers, Cruz strike $16M, 2-year deal
Two-time defending AL champion Texas has avoided arbitration with another of its core players, agreeing Thursday to a $16 million, two-year contract with AL championship series MVP Nelson Cruz.
-
Auburn’s Ward adapts game after injury at Texas
Auburn’s Varez Ward can’t take to the air quite like he used to. The onetime Texas starter is still trying to regain strength and explosiveness more than two years after rupturing his right quadriceps tendon while dunking during pre-game warmups.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
