Findlay Notes (PDF) vs. Shepherd
SHEPERDSTOWN, W.Va. – The Findlay Oilers are preparing to make their first appearance in the NCAA Division II Football Championship as the No. 7 seed in the Super Region One bracket against No. 2 Shepherd.
Kickoff from Ram Stadium is set for noon ET. The winner would advance to the second round to face the winner of No. 3 Assumption (NE-10) and No. 6 California (PA) (PSAC).
The other Super Region One matchup features No. 4 Shippensburg (PSAC) vs. No. 5 West Chester (PSAC). The winner of that contest would face No. 1 Indiana (PA) (PSAC), which received an opening-round bye.
Findlay was one of 28 teams across the country from four super regions to be selected for the NCAA Division II Championship bracket. The Oilers enter the playoffs with an overall record of 9-2 (6-1 G-MAC) under the direction of head coach Rob Keys.
Findlay also celebrated a handful of individual awards following the Great Midwest announcement of the all-conference teams. The Oilers staked claim to the following awards: Great Midwest Defensive Back of the Year (Aaron Ivory), Great Midwest Offensive Lineman of the Year (Andrew Alten) and Great Midwest Defensive Lineman of the Year (Johnny Hopkins).
The Oilers placed 24 total student-athletes on the Great Midwest All-Conference Team, the most out of the league’s eight competing schools. Six made the first team, nine were on the second team and six more placed on the honorable mention list.
Findlay takes on an undefeated Rams’ program that goes into the postseason with a 10-0 record as MEC champs. The Oilers and Rams showcase an offense that averages over 48 points per game and on paper, this contest has all of the ingredients to be an offensive shootout.
Shepherd quarterback and MEC Offensive Player of the Year Connor Jessop threw for 3,284 yards, 38 TD’s while completing over 65 percent of his passes. Defensive end Myles Humphrey was the MEC Defensive Player of the Year and Monte Cater was recognized by his peers as MEC Coach of the Year.
Both teams feature 1,000-yard rushers as UF’s Daouda Sylla carried the rock for 1,266 yards and and 17 TD’s as the Oilers’ ground game has averaged north of 274 yards per game this season. The rushing game also includes first-team all-conference running back Michael Campbell, who has accounted for 14 TD’s and a 6.9 average per rush.
The Oilers’ secondary will be on patrol against Shepherd with four all-conference defensive backs stalking the Rams’ receiving corps. Ivory, Francis Cutchember, Chiebuka Chukwuneke, and Tyler Lee, are a permanent threat to jump routes and take it back to the house.
Video and live stats are provided by Shepherd and additional audio commentary from Findlay is available at WLFC883.com.