From staff reports
sports@joplinglobe.com
Northeastern Oklahoma A&M; College football coach Rob Green is hoping the combination of an improving offense and lack of mistakes can yank the team out of its miseries.
The Golden Norsemen, 0-3 overall this season, have lost eight in a row entering today’s game in Little Rock against Arkansas Baptist College.
The Buffaloes are in a less alarming slide with two straight losses after opening the season with two victories — their first — after launching play in 2007 in winless fashion.
Kickoff between NEO and ABC — each lost their Southwest Junior College Football Conference opener last week — is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Quigley Stadium at Central High School.
The Buffaloes visited the Golden Norsemen on Sept. 6 in Miami at Robertson Field and came away with a 21-6 nonconference win.
“Playing a team for the second time really isn’t a factor because in this conference it’s probably going to happen anyway if you qualify for the playoffs,” Green said.
“Our main objective is to win the game regardless of the opponent. Because it was just three weeks ago, both of us are more familiar with each other’s personnel and the schemes that we run.”
NEO lost 48-29 to Trinity Valley and No.1-ranked Blinn spanked Arkansas Baptist 38-3 in SWJCFC openers last week.
“We’ve made great strides overall in our offense and it showed against Trinity Valley,” Green said. “That’s a great positive. But the negative part is that we keep ‘shooting ourselves in the foot.’ You can’t beat anybody at any level if you continue to throw interceptions or fumble the ball away in the red zone. You also can’t have the breakdowns in your kicking game that we’ve been having.
“(Cardell) Clemens really has stepped up his game to make our running game a lot more effective,” Green said. “Our offensive line has started to jell together and I was encouraged by the play of our tight ends against Trinity Valley. We moved freshman offensive guard Garrett Dick (6-foot-2, 250-pounder from Yukon) to a tight end or blocking fullback and he did a great job.
“Our kids are playing hard and I believe our schemes are solid,” Green said. “We were 4-0 a year ago at this time and hadn’t committed one turnover. This year it’s almost like ‘anytime they want the ball, you can have it.’ As we continue to make the same mistakes, it’s important for us as coaches not to put these kids in those situations where they repeat them.”
Notes: Clemens, a transfer from Pittsburg State, has rushed 61 times for 288 yards and three touchdowns. NEO freshman quarterback Trey Munden has completed 39 of 75 passes for 531 yards. Colton Chelf is the leading receiver with 18 receptions for 358 yards and one score. ... Middle linebacker Robert Spann is the NEO leader in total tackles with 42. End Christo Bilukidi has four sacks.
Sports
September 27, 2008
Norse try to shake eight-game losing streak
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Outlaws open season Thursday on the road
Chris Oldner takes a cut during the Joplin Outlaws practice Tuesday afternoon. The Outlaws open their season on Thursday night at Rossville and play seven road games before their home opener on June 5.
The Joplin Outlaws and new coach Rob Vessell have set some lofty goals for the 2012 baseball season.
Continued ... - Heat take 2-0 lead into Boston in East finals
- McIlroy recovers from rugged start for 71
- Former equipment manager sues Rams
- Stanton’s homers fuel Marlins’ surge in May
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- Pittsburg State Sports
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- Vengels sixth in heptathlon; PSU picks up two seventh-place finishes
- Ethan Cordray signs with Pittsburg State
- Lions, Gorillas begin competition in outdoor track and field championship
- Three finalists named for PSU head baseball coach position
- Lions qualify 10, PSU 15 for Division II outdoor track meet
- Missouri Southern Sports
- High School Sports
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Area athletes turn shine at state meet
Webb City's Jarvis Jones takes sixth in the 200.
- Cleo Elbert steps down at Thomas Jefferson
- Frontenac wins first state baseball title
- Joplin's Jeremy Lynn takes fifth at state tennis
- Frontenac advances at state baseball
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