It took two, three and sometimes even four players, but the Emporia State football team managed to hoist each of its 16 seniors on shoulders and backs and carry them to the locker room after practice on Thursday.
Now all that’s left is to send them out with a victory, which will be the goal this Saturday as ESU takes on Missouri Southern in the final game of the season.
“Where we’re at right now,” ESU coach Dave Wiemers said, “we’d like to give them one more special day.”
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Welch Stadium. It will be the Hornets’ first home game since a 14-13 loss to Truman on Oct. 14.
“I feel confident that we’ll go out with a win Saturday,” ESU senior cornerback Brandon Stribling said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
To get that win, ESU will have to step up its pass defense, which was exposed a week ago against the MIAA’s leading quarterback, Toby Korrodi.
The senior finished 18-of-24 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns last week, and ESU will face a similar challenge this week with the conference’s second-leading passer Adam Hinspeter.
The sophomore — who was co-freshman of the year in the MIAA last season — has thrown for 236.3 yards per game this year. He needs just 174 yards Saturday to reach the 5,000-yard milestone for his career.
“We worked on some things we’ve been having problems with other games,” Stribling said. “We’ve got that cleaned up, so hopefully it will work out on Saturday.”
The Hornets also will have to go against the top receiver in the conference. Colin Bado leads all MIAA wideouts with 86 catches for 903 yards. After recording 12 catches last week, he passed current Denver Bronco Rod Smith on the Southern all-time reception list with 164.
“They’ll do whatever it takes to get it to him,” Wiemers said.
Southern started the season 3-0 and received votes in the top 25 before losing six of its last seven games. The Lions’ lone victory during the stretch came against Central Missouri three weeks ago.
ESU, meanwhile, will look to halt a six-game losing streak that started back on Sept. 30 with a quadruple overtime loss to Pittsburg State.
The Hornets will get a boost from returning players, as wide receiver Jermaine Barnett and defensive lineman A.J. Franklin should both play after serving one-game suspensions last week.
Tight end Scott Schoenfeld (finger) and Junis McDowell (hamstring) will miss the game because of injuries. Running back El Ray Henry has not practiced all week and is doubtful as well.
Henry, Schoenfeld and Stribling are three of the players that will be honored as seniors during Saturday’s game. Wiemers said all 16 were deserving of recognition.
“You end up with those guys that have put that time in and have invested a lot for us,” Wiemers said. “We appreciate the heck out of it, and you want them to win so bad.”
ESU has won the last four meetings with Southern, including a 22-21 come-from-behind victory last season.
While a win would be nice, Stribling said he was looking forward to getting on the field one last time.
“Win or lose, whatever happens,” Stribling said, “I’m just glad I get to play another game with all my friends.”