Every game is a highlight for Northwest Missouri State running back James Franklin.
Asked to pick the biggest moment in his first year for the Bearcats, the sophomore from Olathe, Kan., said he's overjoyed just to be on the football field.
He's become a big part of the offense for Northwest Missouri, scoring twice last Saturday in the Bearcats' 35-29 opening-round Division II playoff victory over Missouri Western.
Franklin played his first year at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and said he freaked out when the school cut its football program last spring, leaving him afraid that he'd never compete again.
Although not a starter, he played in every game for the Mavericks. So he attracted some interest from Northwest Missouri, Pittsburg State, Washburn, Missouri Western and other area schools.
"Once everybody started calling, it kind of felt good," he said.
The Bearcats reached out the most, he said, with coaches and players asking him to check out the program. They greeted him with open arms, making it easy to choose the Division II powerhouse in Maryville, Mo.
The death of coach Scott Bostwick in June made for a tough start. But once again, people in the program smoothed the way.
"This is definitely a school built on togetherness," Franklin said. "We have a team atmosphere like no other I have seen."
The Bearcats' welcome to Franklin has definitely paid off. He's rushed for 1,059 yards and 21 touchdowns on 167 carries. He's averaging 6.3 yards per carry and 88.2 yards of offense per game.
He's splitting time with junior Jordan Simmons as they usually rotate each series. Franklin said they're always fresh while he can see the opponent's defense tiring.
"We handle it really well,'' he said. "We don't complain about carries. When we get in, we make the most of our chances.''
Franklin is one of four former Mavs at Northwest. John Becklun is starting at tackle, Brian Miller is playing at wide receiver and defensive back Jerry Key is injured.
Franklin likes to keep up with other former teammates, such as kicker Greg Zuerlein, who hit a last-second 58-yard field goal for Missouri Western to edge the Bearcats 31-28 earlier this month. The Lincoln Pius X graduate hit 58-, 57- and 52-yarders in Saturday's playoff loss.
A few other former Mavs — Jason Peete, Jeff Seybold and Boston Higgins — are at Pittsburg State, so Franklin is hoping that the Bearcats can stick around and meet up with them in the quarterfinals on Dec. 3. The Gorillas host Washburn in the second round on Saturday.
The No. 10 Bearcats (10-2) travel to No. 2 Midwestern State (11-0) in Wichita Falls, Texas, for their second-round matchup on Saturday. Game time is noon.
"We have the potential to do a lot," Franklin said, "as long as we stick to the game plan and play our game and don't shoot ourselves in the foot."
UNK QB is named Harlon Hill finalist
University of Nebraska at Kearney quarterback Jake Spitzlberger has been named one of nine national finalists for the Harlon Hill Trophy, Division II's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy.
The finalists were selected from a field of 22 by Division II sports information directors. The winner will be named at the Harlon Hill trophy presentation banquet on Dec. 16 in Florence, Ala.
Spitzlberger, a senior from Lakewood, Colo., has led UNK to a 10-1 record, throwing for 2,426 yards and 20 touchdowns while rushing for another 983 yards. The Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference offensive player of the year, Spitzlberger is fifth in the nation in total offense with an average of 309 yards per game.
UNK plays Wayne State (Mich.) at noon on Saturday in the second round of the Division II playoffs.
Updates
• Senior forward Ashley Arlen, who averaged 24 points and nine rebounds in a pair of wins over the weekend for ninth-ranked Wayne State (4-0), was named the Northern Sun women's basketball player of the week.
• Morningside College (26-6) will face third-ranked Lee University of Tennessee (30-2) in its first match in pool play at the NAIA volleyball championships in Sioux City, Iowa. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. on Nov. 29.
• Peru State volleyball coach Lexie Baack has announced her resignation at the end of the contract year. Baack has been coaching the Bobcats for six years.
Contact the writer:
402-444-1034, marjie.ducey@owh.com
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