MVC football: No. 12 Vikings eying playoff spot

Unless some strange last-minute manipulation of the rankings occurs, all the Missouri Valley College football team needs to do is win Saturday to return to the NAIA Championships Series for the third time in four years.

"If we take care of business, we should be in," declared head coach Paul Troth as the 12th-ranked Vikings prepared to close the regular season at Heart of America Conference foe Avila.

Although the Eagles (4-6, 3-6 HAAC) are not in contention, they are much improved from a year ago and are not expected to be a walkover for Valley.

"This is their last chance to do something outstanding," Troth remarked, recalling a close 20-14 win two years at the Rockhurst field which nearly ruined the Vikings' playoff bid. "They've always been tough when we've played them there."

Avila is ninth in scoring offense (12.8 points per game) and seventh on total offense (270.1 yards per game) in the league, but can be dangerous because of its run-pass balance out of the spread formation -- operated ably by junior quarterback Austin Cole, with 1,710 yards passing this season.

"He's got a strong arm and is pretty mobile," Troth said. "They throw deep outs quite a bit, and the vertical routes."

Senior Damien Collins, the Eagles' leading rusher, had 560 yards -- but only one touchdown and an average of only 3.9 yards per attempt.

"We need to come out and get on top of them early to force them into a passing situation," Troth said.

Avila's strength is its defense, especially in the passing game -- were it is fourth in the loop, allowing just 184.5 yards per game. Sophomore safety Tyler Caldwell leads the HAAC with five interceptions and senior defensive end Stephen Jackson has penetrated opposing backfields for 12 tackles for loss, including four sacks.

"They've got some better players," Troth said, noting eight returning starters on defense. "Some kids who red-shirted for them last year are playing, and a couple of last season's starters are back-ups."

The Vikings (7-2, 7-2) were unable to get their air attack going during last week's 28-27 loss to MidAmerica Nazarene. That could have been disastrous, especially with junior tailback Sterling Hardin out for the season, without the return to prominence of senior David Allen -- turning in a career-high 202 yards.

"Having David finally healthy enough to play was huge," Troth said. "He's been a big part of us for four years, so, yeah, we're going to use him."

With both of Valley's losses coming in the last minute, including a 45-37 setback against No. 3 Lindenwood in the season's third week, no letdown is now allowed.

"Both those losses are tough on the kids, tough on the coaches," Troth admitted. "Our next loss is our last game, so every week we take the field we have to win."