PIGSKIN PODCAST EP. 9: The playoffs are here

Check out episode 9 of the KOAM Presents: Pigskin Podcast (links below). On THIS episode:

  • Nevada knocks off Seneca (1:55)
  • Quin Renfro huge night for Joplin (3:30)
  • A look ahead for Carthage, Webb City, Seneca and Lamar (6:43)
  • Girard enters playoffs undefeated (7:43)
  • Columbus gets hot at the right time (10:05)
  • Interview with Quapaw HC J. MacArthur and QB Jack Deringer (15:42)
  • The thin margin for error in the MIAA (29:25)
  • Pitt State aims to stay perfect at Central Oklahoma (31:28)

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/koam-presents-pigskin-podcast-ep-9/id1610196188?i=1000583994080

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XUpWZK7RgmOqTvuiMhL8G?si=SJQ4GPqsSCGnPL3JVYEfYw

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0PZmt1Xnz4

WEB: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/pigskin/koam-presents-pigskin-podcast/

Gorillas rally by Missouri Western to get to 8-0

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) Pitt State rallies to beat Missouri Western 28-16 Saturday afternoon to get to 8-0 this season.

QB Chad Dodson, Jr. throws 3 touchdown passes (Kolbe Katsis, Kaizer Newell, Christian Carter).

RB Caleb Lewis rushes for 101 yards and a touchown, while linebacker PJ Sarwinski lead the team in tackles with 13.

“They were a fast defense, for sure. They played fast and they played strong,” Katsis says, “I feel like we played harder in the second half than we did in the first half. We were slacking in the first half. We had to pick it up and kick it up a notch in the second half.”

“We were flat coming out. I don’t think it was that we didn’t show them respect or anything like that,” Lewis says, “The second half we just had a lot more energy and we came out more ready to play I feel like.”

“I thought we needed to pick up our energy level with all 80 guys suited up,” head coach Brian Wright says on his halftime message, “I just didn’t feel the same energy on the sideline. Our guys did that and our guys dialed in in the second half.”

The Gorillas will be on the road against Central Oklahoma next Saturday.

Freshman WR Kolbe Katsis shines for Pitt State

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg State redshirt freshman wide receiver Kolbe Katsis has become quite the weapon for the Gorillas in his first season on the field.

“He’s a versatile player,” says Pitt State head coach Brian Wright, “He can help us on special teams, and he can do a lot of things on offense as well – as an inside or outside receiver.”

Katsis is already one of the best kick returners in the MIAA as a freshman.

He’s currently #1 in the conference in total kick return yards (342), and is #2 in the MIAA in kick return average (28.5).

On top of being a dangerous return man, Katsis also has 11 receptions for 309 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Pitt State offense – averaging a team-high 28 yards per reception.

“I worked really hard in the summer to get into the position I’m in,” Katsis says, “I didn’t expect to have this big of an impact, I just wanted to have a role on the team and do my best and do anything I could possibly do. It’s a true blessing, and all glory to God that what I’m doing right now is turning out the way it is.”

“Kolbe is a great young man and a hard worker. He’s a really good football player,” Wright adds, “I think some guys are fast, and then some guys are really fast on the field. Kolbe is fast on the field and plays the game extremely fast. He’s benefitting, and we’re also benefitting from that.”

Katsis and the Gorillas are 7-0 this season and have climbed the national rankings up to #5 this week.

Pittsburg State hosts Missouri Western for their annual homecoming game on Saturday at 2 PM.

October is Domestic Awareness Month

PITTSBURG Kan. – October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.  We talked with the Safehouse Crisis Center in Pittsburg to hear what they have to offer, as well as the events they are doing this month to spread awareness.

According to the Safehouse Crisis Center, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic violence in their lifetime, whether it is mental, physical, verbal, or sexual.

Safehouse provides free advocates for men or women who are in need of someone to talk to as well as a 24-hour hotline and text line.

The Safehouse is partnered with Pitt State to help any students or staff on campus who may need their services.

Watch KOAM and FOX 14 evening news to see the whole story or check back later to see additional content.

You can find more information here.

 

PIGSKIN PODCAST: Ep. 8 with Colgan HC Shawn Seematter

Check out episode 8 of the KOAM Presents: Pigskin Podcast (links below).

On THIS episode:

  • Hudson Moore is a problem (2:05)
  • Chanute aims for undefeated regular season (3:22)
  • Frontenac and Galena district championship (5:45)
  • Why I like Girard (6:43)
  • Seneca looks to go 9-0 (8:36)
  • Quapaw and Miami impressive seasons (10:47)
  • Interview with Colgan HC Shawn Seematter (15:23)
  • Pitt State offensive weapons (29:28)

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5AYf2JvFN2TIrvJADg7hMm?si=BafkMu9jT862T8WOAAU6RA

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/koam-presents-pigskin-podcast-ep-8/id1610196188?i=1000583182343

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qkHHT_8dR0

WEB: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/pigskin/koam-presents-pigskin-podcast/

Pitt State RB Lewis takes advantage of expanded role

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas (6-0) will be on the road on Saturday, facing the Lincoln Blue Tigers.

Heading into the weekend, Pitt State running back Caleb Lewis is #3 in the MIAA in rushing yards with 455 yards on 100 carries in six games. He has also scored 3 touchdowns.

Lewis is taking advantage of a bigger role in the Pitt State offense, after posting 522 yards on 123 carries his freshman season in 2021.

“I’ve always been a dominant competitor, but this year I feel like I have a chip on my shoulder,” Lewis says, “I feel like I didn’t get the accolades that I wanted last year. When I run the ball, I got something to prove.”

“When you take a step back and get out of that game plan mode and watch your guys play on film, you’re like wow, Caleb is playing really fast,” Pitt State head coach Brian Wright says about his sophomore running back, “You can see him hitting the hole and picking up pass protection. He’s a well-rounded player. He’s doing a lot of things really well and playing really fast. He’s really doing a great job leading as well. He’s a great leader on our football team.”

PIGSKIN PODCAST: Ep. 7 with ESPN 100.7’s Mike Snow

Check out episode 7 of the KOAM Presents: Pigskin Podcast. On THIS episode:

  • Reaction to last week’s Parsons/Galena game (1:35)
  • What’s behind Neosho’s high-powered offense (5:55)
  • Big opportunity this week for Seneca (9:58)
  • Joplin/Carthage matchup this week (12:25)
  • Frontenac aims to stay hot at Parsons (13:17)
  • Interview with ESPN 100.7’s Mike Snow (17:18)
  • Local guys shine for MSSU (33:33)
  • Reaction to Pitt State vs. Northwest (36:08)

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dahsra9ofG0

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5fnOjDAjafMOf0KHmuMqX1?si=tI0Rq5i5SIKmGwEyDMqzbQ

APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/koam-presents-pigskin-podcast-ep-7/id1610196188?i=1000582454378

WEB: https://www.koamnewsnow.com/pigskin/koam-presents-pigskin-podcast/

Gorillas hold off Northwest in top-10 showdown; PSU gets to 6-0

PITTSBURG, Kan. – (WATCH) #7 Pittsburg State tops #9 Northwest Missouri 24-22 Saturday afternoon.

The Gorillas are 6-0 and will be on the road against Lincoln next Saturday.

#7 Pitt State prepares to host top-10 showdown against #9 Northwest Missouri

PITTSBURG, Kan. – The Pittsburg State Gorillas host a top-10 showdown on Saturday afternoon, welcoming in the Northwest Missouri State Bearcats.

Pitt State (5-0) is ranked #7 in the nation heading into the weekend, while Northwest Missouri (4-1) is #9 in the latest AFCA Division II poll released on Monday.

Pittsburg State has sold out every seat in the stadium for Saturday, and is now only selling standing room only tickets for the game – so the Gorillas are expecting a home field advantage in Saturday’s game.

“We’ve used some social media to challenge our fans to get to the game by 1:40 and be in their seats and start that atmosphere right at kick off and be loud. We want them to be as loud as they’ve ever been at Carnie Smith Stadium,” says Pitt State head coach Brian Wright, “If we can do that, that home field advantage is certainly there and will be important for us.”

“I think that’s really what we should get every week, honestly,” says linebacker PJ Sarwinski on playing in front of a packed stadium, “This is a big week for the community. I expect it to be loud. I’m excited that we’re going to have a crowd like that.”

“I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere. Last year was pretty loud,” says Pitt State offensive lineman Trase Jeffries on playing in Maryville last year, “On our last drive, I could barely hear at their stadium. I think we’ll return the favor with all of our fans at this game.”

Saturday’s game will be a matchup of the two best defenses in the MIAA.

Pittsburg State and Northwest Missouri are the only two teams in the league allowing fewer than 15 points per game. They’re also the only two programs in the MIAA allowing fewer than 300 yards per week.

“We’ve talked about it a couple times this week on the defensive side. This may a 10-9 game. It may be that way,” Sarwinski adds, “As a defensive guy, I love that. I love seeing a low-scoring game. It’s tough and physical, and you have to get every inch. Football is about every inch.”

“Those guys understand the mindset and the mentality we need on that side of the ball,” Wright says of his defense, “Those guys have done a great job of coming through for us, and we’ll certainly need them again Saturday.”

Saturday’s game begins at 2 PM at Carnie Smith Stadium in Pittsburg.

Former Pitt State standout Dallis Flowers ACTIVE tonight for Indianapolis Colts

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Former Pittsburg State standout Dallis Flowers could see his first NFL action tonight for the Indianapolis Colts.

The rookie cornerback/kick returner – who has been inactive for the first four games of the season for Indianapolis – is active for tonight’s game against the Denver Broncos.

The former Gorilla signed with the Colts as an undrafted free agent back in May, after playing one full season with Pittsburg State.

The 6-2, 190 lb Flowers was a 1st team All-MIAA selection as a defensive back and a 2nd team All-MIAA selection as a kick returner last fall. He finished with 21 tackles and a team-high 4 interceptions. He also had two kick return touchdowns for the Gorillas and averaged 33.7 yards per kickoff return – setting a new Pitt State record and breaking the previous record held by former PSU All-American John Brown.

He finished his career with Pitt State after being a 2X NAIA All-American with the Grand View Vikings in Des Moines, Iowa.