I compare the Missouri Western football teams season to a hero of mine growing up. That hero would be professional wrestler Hulk Hogan. It seemed every match the Hulkster had he would get put in a choke hold and his arm would fall to the mat two times. Right before his arm was getting ready to hit the canvas for a sure defeat, he would stop his arm and bust out of the move for a victory.
The Griffons football season could be categorized the same way. After starting 1-4 the Griffons have bounced back to finish the season 6-5 and secure a Mineral Water Bowl berth. Watching the Griffons this season certainly has been interesting. This team could legitimately be 9-2 and just as easy be 4-7. It certainly has been a roller coaster ride of a season.
After the fourth quarter of the Nebraska-Omaha game, the likelihood of the Griffons making the post season was bleak. To the credit of head coach Jerry Partridge and his coaching staff the team did not give up. The players also deserve credit for not giving up, even though the ultimate goal of making the playoffs was shot.
What a difference a year makes, last year making the Mineral Water Bowl was a let down from an otherwise great season. This year it seems like the prize for a hard fought season. It was a hard path, but the Griffons did it in style.
Senior kicker Dustin Strickler kicked two game winning field goals or the Mineral Water Bowl would have never been a possibility for the Griffons. Thomas Hodges has also been a big spark for the Griffons, as he has racked up yards in key situations. Inspired play by the whole team is what has brought the Griffons to the bowl game.
The Mineral Water Bowl means the seniors get one more collegiate game before starting the next phase of their lives. It will be worth the trip to Excelsior Springs to see Roger Allen, Jarrett Morris, Jamie Hanson, Soane Etu, Dustin Strickler, Martin Lane, Zach Walker and the rest of the seniors suit up one last time.
We might as well rename the Mineral Water Bowl the Missouri Western Bowl. We have been to the bowl game six times and five times in the last eight years. I know the Mineral Water Bowl is not what Missouri Western strives to get to each year, that would be a playoff berth. The Griffons can build off this and hopefully next season we will be hosting a playoff game and not heading back to Excelisor Springs.
The group of seniors that have been on the team the last four years will be leaving the Western program as the group with the most all time victories. They were a part of the first playoff apperance and have a chance to capture their third Mineral Water Bowl victory. A bowl victory would be a nice way for these seniors to end their Western careers.
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