2018 Emporia State Hornets football team

The 2018 Emporia State Hornets football team represented Emporia State University in the 2018 NCAA Division II football season. The Hornets played their home games on Jones Field at Francis G. Welch Stadium in Emporia, Kansas, as they have done since 1937.[1] 2018 was the 121st season in school history.[2] The Hornets are led by head coach Garin Higgins, who is in his 17th season overall, and 12th season at Emporia State as head coach.[3] Emporia State has been a member of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 1991.[4]

2018 Emporia State Hornets football
Corsicana Bowl, W 30–22
Conference	Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association
2018 record	8–4 (7–4 MIAA)
Head coach	Garin Higgins (12th season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Mike LoPorto (9th season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Bryan Nardo (7th season)
Home stadium	Francis G. Welch Stadium (capacity: 7,000)

2018 Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association football standings
	Conf							Overall
Team		W		L					W		L
No. 10 NW Missouri State +^		9	–	2					10	–	3
No. 22 Fort Hays State +^		9	–	2					9	–	3
Pittsburg State		8	–	3					8	–	3
Central Oklahoma		7	–	4					8	–	4
Emporia State		7	–	4					8	–	4
Missouri Western		6	–	5					7	–	5
Central Missouri		5	–	6					5	–	6
Nebraska–Kearney		5	–	6					5	–	6
Washburn		5	–	6					5	–	6
Lindenwood		4	–	7					4	–	7
Missouri Southern		1	–	10					1	–	10
Northeastern State		0	–	11					0	–	11
+ – Conference co-champions Rankings from AFCA Poll

Preseason

The Hornets enter the 2018 season after finishing with a 6–5 overall and in conference play last season under Higgins.[5] On July 31, 2018 at the MIAA Football Media Day, the Hornets were chosen to finish fifth in both the Coaches Poll and Media Polls.[6]

Personnel

Coaching staff

Along with Higgins, there are 9 assistants.

Name	Position	Seasons at ESU	Alma mater
Garin Higgins	Head Coach	12	Emporia State (1992)
Mike LoPorto	Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach	9	Emporia State (2010)
Bryan Nardo	Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach	7	Ohio (2008)
Cayden Cochran	Passing Game/Recruiting Coordinator/Running Backs	1	Valdosta State (2013)
Nathan Linsey	Defensive Secondary/Special Teams Coordinator	8	Emporia State (2010)
Tony Koehling	Running Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach	4	Ohio (2013)
Austin Willis	Running Backs/Strength & Conditioning Coach	2	Emporia State (2015)
Jarrett Stastny	Graduate Assistant/Offensive Line	1	Emporia State (2017)
Brock Burrows	Graduate Assistant/Linebackers		Emporia State (2018)
Darius Hicks	Graduate Assistant/Defensive Backs		Lincoln (MO) (2017)
Reference:[7]

Roster

2018 Emporia State Hornets football team roster
Players			Coaches
Offense Pos. # Name Class QB 2 Dalton Cowan  Fr WR 4 Jordan Reed Sr WR 5 Justin Brown Sr WR 6 Kyle Harrison Jr RB 9 Kai Callins  Jr WR 10 Jaylon Radel  Sr WR 11 Jordan Jackson Sr QB 12 T'Quan Wallace Jr QB 14 Braxton Marstall  Sr QB 15 Pat Briningstool  Fr QB 16 Ethan Anderson  So RB 19 Dillon Lohr  Jr RB 22 Wil Ammos Fr SB 24 Denzel Strong Sr RB 25 Ricky VanWeezel Jr RB 26 Landon Nault Sr RB 35 Calvin Boyce Fr RB 37 Clay Phillips  Fr SB 39 Andre Lewis Jr SB 44 Sam Neumeier Jr SB 48 Cole Schumacker  Fr SB 49 Case Cochran Fr OL 53 Jarrett Roy Jr OL 61 Marlon McKeithen Jr OL 62 Daegan Manley  Fr OL 64 Hayden Reed  Fr OL 65 Denton Sanchez  Fr OL 66 Wyatt Malcom  Fr OL 67 Aaron Clark Fr OL 69 Zack Fasbender Fr OL 70 Andrew Lillich Sr OL 71 Brandon Kane Fr OL 72 Xavier Cason Fr OL 75 Estevan Arana Jr OL 76 Austin Unterreiner Jr OL 77 Braden Janzen Sr OL 78 Stephen Williams Jr SB 79 Tyler Banta Jr WR 80 Trenton Ball Sr SB 81 Kirvin Parks Jr WR 82 Tyler Harris So WR 83 Corey Thomas  Fr WR 84 Kai Lemons Jr WR 85 Seth Surface  Jr WR 86 Sean Talley Jr WR 87 Jack Schneider Fr WR 88 Travon Jones Jr WR 89 Zach Cahill  So	Defense Pos. # Name Class LB 1 Lawson Holbert Sr DB 3 Roscoe Gatewood Jr DB 7 Jordan Wallace So LB 8 Gary Woods II Jr DB 13 Brent Davenport Sr LB 17 Orlando Sheets Sr DB 18 Trey Morris So DB 20 Jawill Aldridge Jr DB 21 Marquise Johnson Sr DB 23 Asher Goldston Sr DB 27 Blake Wilson  So DB 28 Jaedon Pool Fr DB 29 Cole Baird  Fr DB 30 Kelin Gordon So LB 31 Jace McDown So LB 32 Doug Collins Fr LB 33 Randall Friday  Fr LB 34 Joshua Carrethers  Fr LB 36 Logan Thompson Jr LB 38 Cade Harelson So DB 41 Cody Ladson  Fr DB 42 Cody Savage Jr LB 43 Dawson Hammes So DB 45 Kyle Rink  Fr DB 47 Montrell Wilson Fr DE 50 Donovan Walker  Fr LB 51 Darric Cashier Sr DB 52 Jordan Griffin Jr DE 54 Logan Powell Sr DL 55 Brance Watts Jr LB 56 Brett Sage  Fr LB 58 Immanuel Cason Sr LB 59 Matt Johnson So DL 60 Cody Swanson Jr DL 63 Carlos Taylor Jr LB 68 Chad Gloudeman  Fr DL 73 Camren Proby Jr DL 74 Miles Wade Fr DE 90 Parker Bass Sr DE 91 Marcellus Edwards Sr DL 92 Jahmek Murphy Fr DL 93 Marek Thompson Jr DE 94 Anthony Burton  Fr DE 95 Tre'Vaun Ammons Jr DE 96 Hawkens Taylor  Fr DL 97 Isaiah Miles  So DE 98 Jackson Maase  Jr DL 99 Dyllan Haworth  Fr	Special teams Pos. # Name Class K 40 Sam Dobbins So K 46 Clark Schoonover Fr LS 57 Austin Passemore Jr	Head coach Garin Higgins Coordinators/assistant coaches See Coaching staff Legend (C) Team captain (S) Suspended (I) Ineligible Injured Redshirt Roster Last update: July 31, 2018

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance
August 30	7:00 pm	at Northeastern State	Doc Wadley Stadium Tahlequah, Oklahoma	W 34–7	2,109
September 6	7:00 pm	Pittsburg State	Francis G. Welch Stadium Emporia, KS	L 34–13	5,764
September 15	2:00 pm	at Nebraska–Kearney	Ron & Carol Cope Stadium Kearney, Nebraska	W 20–17	6,217
September 22	2:00 pm	Lindenwood	Francis G. Welch Stadium Emporia, Kansas	L 48–41	4,987
September 29	1:30 pm	at No. 17 Northwest Missouri State	Bearcat Stadium Maryville, Missouri	L 41–0	6,141
October 6	2:00 pm	No. 18 Fort Hays State	Francis G. Welch Stadium Emporia, Kansas	W 28–24	3,087
October 13	1:00 pm	at Central Missouri	Audrey J. Walton Stadium Warrensburg, Missouri	W 41–23	5,835
October 20	2:00 pm	Missouri Western	Francis G. Welch Stadium Emporia, Kansas	L 42–28	4,714
October 27	2:00 pm	at Washburn	Yager Stadium at Moore Bowl Topeka, Kansas (Turnpike Tussle)	W 34–31 ^OT	6,340
November 3	2:00 pm	Missouri Southern	Francis G. Welch Stadium Emporia, Kansas	W 48–0	3,056
November 10	2:00 pm	Central Oklahoma	Wantland Stadium Edmond, Oklahoma	W 35–28	5,118
December 1	2:00 pm	Arkansas–Monticello	Corsicana Stadium Corsicana, Texas	W 30–22	4,000
Homecoming Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Northeastern State

Emporia State at Northeastern State

1 2 3 4 Total • Emporia State 13 0 21 0 34 Northeastern State 0 7 0 0 7 Date: August 30 Location: Wadley Stadium, Tahlequah, OK Game start: 7:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 2:54 Game attendance: 2,109 Game weather: Sunny and cool, 72°F Referee: James Brookhart

Pittsburg State

Pittsburg State at Emporia State

1 2 3 4 Total • Pittsburg State 3 7 3 21 34 Emporia State 7 6 0 0 13 Date: September 6 Location: Welch Stadium, Emporia, KS Game start: 7:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 2:52 Game attendance: 5,764 Game weather: Overcast, 72°F Referee: Scott Hardin

Nebraska–Kearney

Emporia State at Nebraska–Kearney

1 2 3 4 Total • Emporia State 0 0 14 6 20 Nebraska–Kearney 14 3 0 0 17 Date: September 15 Location: Cope Stadium, Kearney, NE Game start: 2:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:01 Game attendance: 6,217 Game weather: Hot and humid, 89°F Referee: John Adams

Lindenwood

at Lindenwood at Emporia State

1 2 3 4 Total • Lindenwood 0 21 20 7 48 Emporia 13 7 7 14 41 Date: September 22 Location: Welch Stadium, Emporia, KS Game start: 2:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:10 Game attendance: 4,987 Game weather: Sunny, 72°F Referee: Lonnie Brickman

Northwest Missouri

Emporia State at Northwest Missouri

1 2 3 4 Total Emporia State 0 0 0 0 0 • #17 Northwest Missouri 7 20 7 7 41 Date: September 29 Location: Bearcat Stadium, Maryville, MO Game start: 1:30 pm CDT Elapsed time: 2:28 Game attendance: 6,141 Game weather: Rain, 50°F Referee: John Adams

Fort Hays State

Fort Hays State at Emporia State

1 2 3 4 Total #18 Fort Hays State 7 0 10 7 24 • Emporia State 0 0 7 21 28 Date: October 6 Location: Welch Stadium, Emporia, KS Game start: 2:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:03 Game attendance: 3,087 Game weather: Overcast, 52°F Referee: Dwight Neibling

Central Missouri

Emporia State at Central Missouri

1 2 3 4 Total • Emporia State 7 20 0 14 41 Central Missouri 3 14 0 6 23 Date: October 13 Location: Walton Stadium, Warrensburg, MO Game start: 1:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:01 Game attendance: 5,835 Game weather: Cloudy, 48°F Referee: Lonnie Brickman

Missouri Western

Missouri Western at Emporia State

1 2 3 4 Total • Missouri Western 7 13 0 22 42 Emporia State 7 7 14 0 28 Date: October 20 Location: Welch Stadium, Emporia, KS Game start: 2:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:06 Game attendance: 4,714 Game weather: Sunny, 64°F Referee: Criag Helser

Washburn

Emporia State at Washburn

1 2 3 4 OT Total • Emporia State 7 14 7 0 6 34 Washburn 0 21 0 7 3 31 Date: October 27 Location: Yager Stadium, Topeka, KS Game start: 1:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:22 Game attendance: 6,340 Game weather: Beautiful, 57°F Referee: Dwight Neibling

Missouri Southern

Missouri Southern at Emporia State

1 2 3 4 Total Missouri Southern 0 0 0 0 0 • Emporia State 0 20 14 14 48 Date: November 3 Location: Welch Stadium, Emporia, KS Game start: 2:00 pm CST Elapsed time: 2:54 Game attendance: 3,056 Game weather: Cloudy, 55°F Referee: Scott Hardin

Central Oklahoma

Emporia State at Central Oklahoma

1 2 3 4 Total • Emporia State 7 7 7 14 35 Central Oklahoma 0 14 7 7 28 Date: November 10 Location: Wantland Stadium, Edmond, OK Game start: 2:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:08 Game attendance: 5,118 Game weather: Sunny, 40°F Referee: Craig Helser

Corsicana Bowl: Arkansas–Monticello

Emporia State vs. Arkansas–Monticello

1 2 3 4 Total Arkansas–Monticello 6 3 10 3 22 • Emporia State 6 12 6 6 30 Date: December 1 Location: Tiger Stadium, Corsicana, TX Game start: 2:00 pm CDT Elapsed time: 3:19 Game attendance: 4,000 Game weather: Sunny, 71°F Referee: Scott Hardin

References

1. "Emporia State University Athletics – Facilities – Welch Stadium". Retrieved July 31, 2018.
2. Weast, Don (August 29, 2016). "#24 Emporia State Football Opens Up Against #1 Northwest Missouri" (Press release). Emporia State University Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
3. "Higgins, Garin". Retrieved July 31, 2018.
4. "Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association – Conference History". Themiaa.com. May 21, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
5. Weast, Don (July 30, 2018). "Emporia State Football Ranked Fifth in MIAA Preseason Polls" (Press release). Retrieved July 31, 2018.
6. Egger, Ryley (July 30, 2018). "2018 MIAA Football Coaches, Media Polls Released" (Press release). Retrieved July 31, 2018.
7. "Emporia State University Athletics – 2018 Football Roster". Emporia State Athletics. Retrieved July 31, 2018.