ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed defensive end Carlos Dunlap to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million on Thursday, giving them an experienced pass rusher opposite Frank Clark and first-round pick George Karlaftis another veteran presence.

The 33-year-old Dunlap was released in March by the Seahawks, who acquired him in a trade with Cincinnati in 2020 and had signed him to a two-year deal. Dunlap rotated with other defensive ends in Seattle, much like he’s expected to do with the Chiefs, and had 8 1/2 sacks along with eight tackles for loss while playing 38% of snaps last season.

“I don’t know if there’s pen to paper. I know I talked to that particular player yesterday,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said after the second full-squad workout of training camp at Missouri Western State University.

“It was a good chat,” Spagnuolo said. “I’m always happy to add big, long guys with experience in the league.”

Dunlap was a second-round pick of the Bengals in 2010, making back-to-back Pro Bowl trips in 2015 and ’16, and is among the NFL’s active leaders with 96 career sacks. He also has 117 tackles for loss across 13 seasons in the league.

“I trained with him this summer in Miami. We’ll accept him with open arms,” said Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who has been their best at pressuring the quarterback in recent years. “I always told him I would love to play with him.”

The Chiefs managed just 31 sacks last season, better only than Detroit, Philadelphia and Atlanta, and their inability to put pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was a factor in a second-half collapse in the AFC championship game.

Painfully aware of the situation, the Chiefs reworked Clark’s contract in the offseason rather than letting him go, even though he managed just 4 1/2 sacks last season. They also spent the second of their two first-round picks on Karlaftis, an edge rusher out of Purdue whom the Chiefs hope can develop into a long-term solution.

Now, they hope Dunlap can fill a role similar to what Melvin Ingram did for Kansas City last season. That veteran was acquired midway through the year from Pittsburgh, when the Chiefs were trying to bolster their pass rush for the playoffs. And while he had just one sack in nine regular-season games with them, Ingram had two more during the postseason.

The Chiefs hoped to bring back Ingram this season but he ultimately signed with Miami in free agency.

They found a capable substitute in Dunlap during the first week of camp.

“I’ve always told him, ‘I’d love to play with you, you know what I mean?’” Jones said. “Guys like Carlos Dunlap, Justin Houston — guys who set the standard when I was in the league. You know, I watched some of their film when I first came into the league, so it’s always a pleasure to be around that type of high-character guy.”

Notes: The Chiefs created roster space for Dunlap by waiving former Baylor F Mark Vital, who has been trying to make it in the NFL at tight end. ... FS Justin Reid spent time stretching at the medical tent during practice but later returned to the field. ... Rookie SS Bryan Cook got work with the first-team defense during 7-on-7 drills. ... Roderick Johnson remained with the starting group while Pro Bowl LT Orlando Brown Jr. continues his holdout.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — The Chiefs signed defensive end Carlos Dunlap to a one-year deal worth up to $8 million on Thursday, giving them an experienced pass rusher opposite Frank Clark and first-round pick George Karlaftis another veteran presence.The 33-year-old Dunlap was released in March by the Seahawks, who acquired him in a trade with Cincinnati in 2020 and had signed him to a two-year deal. Dunlap rotated with other defensive ends in Seattle, much like he’s expected to do with the Chiefs, and had 8 1/2 sacks along with eight tackles for loss while playing 38% of snaps last season.“I don’t know if there’s pen to paper. I know I talked to that particular player yesterday,” Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo said after the second full-squad workout of training camp at Missouri Western State University.“It was a good chat,” Spagnuolo said. “I’m always happy to add big, long guys with experience in the league.”Dunlap was a second-round pick of the Bengals in 2010, making back-to-back Pro Bowl trips in 2015 and ’16, and is among the NFL’s active leaders with 96 career sacks. He also has 117 tackles for loss across 13 seasons in the league.“I trained with him this summer in Miami. We’ll accept him with open arms,” said Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones, who has been their best at pressuring the quarterback in recent years. “I always told him I would love to play with him.”The Chiefs managed just 31 sacks last season, better only than Detroit, Philadelphia and Atlanta, and their inability to put pressure on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow was a factor in a second-half collapse in the AFC championship game.Painfully aware of the situation, the Chiefs reworked Clark’s contract in the offseason rather than letting him go, even though he managed just 4 1/2 sacks last season. They also spent the second of their two first-round picks on Karlaftis, an edge rusher out of Purdue whom the Chiefs hope can develop into a long-term solution.Now, they hope Dunlap can fill a role similar to what Melvin Ingram did for Kansas City last season. That veteran was acquired midway through the year from Pittsburgh, when the Chiefs were trying to bolster their pass rush for the playoffs. And while he had just one sack in nine regular-season games with them, Ingram had two more during the postseason.The Chiefs hoped to bring back Ingram this season but he ultimately signed with Miami in free agency.They found a capable substitute in Dunlap during the first week of camp.“I’ve always told him, ‘I’d love to play with you, you know what I mean?’” Jones said. “Guys like Carlos Dunlap, Justin Houston — guys who set the standard when I was in the league. You know, I watched some of their film when I first came into the league, so it’s always a pleasure to be around that type of high-character guy.”Notes: The Chiefs created roster space for Dunlap by waiving former Baylor F Mark Vital, who has been trying to make it in the NFL at tight end. ... FS Justin Reid spent time stretching at the medical tent during practice but later returned to the field. ... Rookie SS Bryan Cook got work with the first-team defense during 7-on-7 drills. ... Roderick Johnson remained with the starting group while Pro Bowl LT Orlando Brown Jr. continues his holdout.

🏈 Chiefs sign veteran DE Carlos Dunlap to 1-year contract

The Hays Larks open NBC World Series play Thursday at 3:00 p.m. against the Austin (TX) Shockers.&nbsp;

You can listen to the game on KFIX (96.9 FM) or click on the link below.

<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">Click here to listen</a>

The Hays Larks open NBC World Series play Thursday at 3:00 p.m. against the Austin (TX) Shockers.&nbsp;You can listen to the game on KFIX (96.9 FM) or click on the link below.<a href="https://radio.securenetsystems.net/cwa/KFIX">Click here to listen</a>

🎧 LISTEN - Hays Larks vs. Austin Shockers at NBC World Series

HAYS – Austen Jaslove provided the heroics Wednesday night as
the Hays Larks closed out their regular season with a thrilling come-from behind
5-4 win over the Gameday Angels. Jaslove’s two-out single to left scored Jack
Torosian with the winning run in a 5-4 victory over the Gameday Angels at Larks
Park.

Torosian reached on a fielder’s choice then moved to third on
Jackson Halter’s two-out single to right.

The Larks (34-8) took advantage of two hit batters, two walks
and an error and scored four runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead after
they had fallen behind 3-0.

Caden Hare (2-1) pitched three scoreless innings of relief
and picked up the win. 

Halter had three hits and Jaslove drove in two runs.

The Larks begin pool play at the NBC World Series Thursday
afternoon against the Austin (TX) Shockers. Game time is scheduled for 3:00
p.m. at Hobart-Detter Field. The Larks will continue pool play against either
the Seattle (WA) Studs or the Lonestar (TX) Kraken on Saturday and again on
Monday.

The top two teams from each of the four pools advance to
Wednesday’s quarterfinals at Eck Stadium in Wichita.

HAYS – Austen Jaslove provided the heroics Wednesday night as
the Hays Larks closed out their regular season with a thrilling come-from behind
5-4 win over the Gameday Angels. Jaslove’s two-out single to left scored Jack
Torosian with the winning run in a 5-4 victory over the Gameday Angels at Larks
Park.Torosian reached on a fielder’s choice then moved to third on
Jackson Halter’s two-out single to right.The Larks (34-8) took advantage of two hit batters, two walks
and an error and scored four runs in the sixth inning to take a 4-3 lead after
they had fallen behind 3-0.Caden Hare (2-1) pitched three scoreless innings of relief
and picked up the win. Halter had three hits and Jaslove drove in two runs.NBC BOUNDThe Larks begin pool play at the NBC World Series Thursday
afternoon against the Austin (TX) Shockers. Game time is scheduled for 3:00
p.m. at Hobart-Detter Field. The Larks will continue pool play against either
the Seattle (WA) Studs or the Lonestar (TX) Kraken on Saturday and again on
Monday.The top two teams from each of the four pools advance to
Wednesday’s quarterfinals at Eck Stadium in Wichita.

⚾ Larks close out regular season with walk-off win

KANSAS
CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals
announced tonight that they have traded All-Star and reigning Rawlings Gold
Glove outfielder Andrew
Benintendi to the New York
Yankees for right-handed pitchers Chandler
Champlain and Beck Way and left-handed pitcher T.J.
Sikkema.

“Andrew
Benintendi is a true professional and a great example of how a winning player
prepares and competes,” Royals President of Baseball Operations Dayton Moore said. “It was an absolute joy for all of us with the Royals to
have him with our organization and in our city.”

The
Royals now have 39 players on the Major League Reserve List and 25 on the
active Major League roster and will announce a corresponding move tomorrow. Way
and Sikkema will be assigned to High-A Quad Cities, and Champlain will be
assigned to Low-A Columbia. 

Champlain,
who turned 23 last Saturday, owns a 4.30 ERA (35 ER in 73.1 IP) with 94
strikeouts (11.5 K/9) and just 19 walks (2.3 BB/9) in 16 appearances (15
starts) with Low-A Tampa this season. In his July 17 start vs. Daytona, he
recorded a career-best 11 strikeouts with no walks in 6.0 innings. He was
selected in the ninth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of USC. 

Way,
22, is 5-5 with a 3.73 ERA (30 ER in 72.1 IP) and 80 strikeouts (10.0 K/9) in
15 starts with High-A Hudson Valley this season. He leads the South Atlantic
League with a .212 opponents’ average (55-for-259), ranks 3rd in
WHIP (1.12) and is tied for 3rd in ERA. In his most recent start
last Saturday at Wilmington, he recorded 6.0 no-hit innings en route to a 3-0
win. He was selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2020 First-Year
Player Draft out of Northwest Florida State College.

Sikkema
(sick-KEHM-uh), who turned 24 on Monday, owns a 2.48 ERA (10 ER in 36.1 IP)
with 54 strikeouts (13.4 K/9) and 9 walks (2.2 BB/9) in 10 starts (11
appearances) with High-A Hudson Valley this season. He has struck out 21
batters over 10.1 innings in his last 2 starts, a stretch in which he’s allowed
just 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, including 11 strikeouts in 5.0
innings on July 10 at Jersey Shore, and 10 strikeouts in 5.1 innings in his
most recent start on July 16 vs. Greenville. The left hander was selected by
the Yankees in Competitive Balance Round A (38th overall) in the
2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Missouri.

Benintendi,
28, represented the Royals in the All-Star Game earlier this month, and is
batting .320 (111-for-347) in 93 games this season, which ranks 5th in
the Majors. He’s currently riding an eight-game hit streak, in which he’s
batting .382 (13-for-34) and is batting .377 (40-for-106) in his last 29 games
since June 20, a stretch in which he has more walks (15) than strikeouts (12).

Kansas City RoyalsKANSAS
CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals
announced tonight that they have traded All-Star and reigning Rawlings Gold
Glove outfielder Andrew
Benintendi to the New York
Yankees for right-handed pitchers Chandler
Champlain and Beck Way and left-handed pitcher T.J.
Sikkema.“Andrew
Benintendi is a true professional and a great example of how a winning player
prepares and competes,” Royals President of Baseball Operations Dayton Moore said. “It was an absolute joy for all of us with the Royals to
have him with our organization and in our city.”The
Royals now have 39 players on the Major League Reserve List and 25 on the
active Major League roster and will announce a corresponding move tomorrow. Way
and Sikkema will be assigned to High-A Quad Cities, and Champlain will be
assigned to Low-A Columbia. Champlain,
who turned 23 last Saturday, owns a 4.30 ERA (35 ER in 73.1 IP) with 94
strikeouts (11.5 K/9) and just 19 walks (2.3 BB/9) in 16 appearances (15
starts) with Low-A Tampa this season. In his July 17 start vs. Daytona, he
recorded a career-best 11 strikeouts with no walks in 6.0 innings. He was
selected in the ninth round of the 2021 First-Year Player Draft out of USC. Way,
22, is 5-5 with a 3.73 ERA (30 ER in 72.1 IP) and 80 strikeouts (10.0 K/9) in
15 starts with High-A Hudson Valley this season. He leads the South Atlantic
League with a .212 opponents’ average (55-for-259), ranks 3rd in
WHIP (1.12) and is tied for 3rd in ERA. In his most recent start
last Saturday at Wilmington, he recorded 6.0 no-hit innings en route to a 3-0
win. He was selected by the Yankees in the fourth round of the 2020 First-Year
Player Draft out of Northwest Florida State College.Sikkema
(sick-KEHM-uh), who turned 24 on Monday, owns a 2.48 ERA (10 ER in 36.1 IP)
with 54 strikeouts (13.4 K/9) and 9 walks (2.2 BB/9) in 10 starts (11
appearances) with High-A Hudson Valley this season. He has struck out 21
batters over 10.1 innings in his last 2 starts, a stretch in which he’s allowed
just 2 earned runs on 3 hits and 2 walks, including 11 strikeouts in 5.0
innings on July 10 at Jersey Shore, and 10 strikeouts in 5.1 innings in his
most recent start on July 16 vs. Greenville. The left hander was selected by
the Yankees in Competitive Balance Round A (38th overall) in the
2019 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Missouri.Benintendi,
28, represented the Royals in the All-Star Game earlier this month, and is
batting .320 (111-for-347) in 93 games this season, which ranks 5th in
the Majors. He’s currently riding an eight-game hit streak, in which he’s
batting .382 (13-for-34) and is batting .377 (40-for-106) in his last 29 games
since June 20, a stretch in which he has more walks (15) than strikeouts (12).

⚾ Royals acquire three pitchers from Yankees for Andrew Benintendi

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Janson Junk didn't get a chance to pitch when the Los Angeles Angels recalled him from Triple-A Salt Lake last month.

He made the most of his time on the mound Wednesday.

Junk dazzled the Angels with five-plus innings of four-hit ball, mixing up a fastball with a two-seam slider, and earned his first major league win when the Los Angeles bullpen shut out the Kansas City Royals the rest of the way in a 4-0 victory.

“After the last time I came up, I got activated but I wasn't able to throw,” said Junk (1-0), who did make a relief appearance in May after four starts last season. “It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I made it my mission to get back here.”

He might get another shot, too, considering how he set down the Kansas City lineup. The 26-year-old allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight before turning over a 2-0 lead to his bullpen, which did not allow a run for the second consecutive day.

“He was pounding the strike zone. He knows what's effective for him,” interim Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “A lot of good fastballs, pitched ahead and just really pitched well.”

Shohei Ohtani reached base three times and drove in a run, pacing a scuffling Angels offense that managed to capitalize on the Royals' shoddy fielding and get their first series win since June 27-29 against the White Sox.

“We put some pressure on them,” Nevin said, “and then we were able to add a couple of runs.”

Brad Keller (5-11) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks in six innings for Kansas City.

“It was a really good outing,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He gave us a chance to win and that's all we can ask.”

Keller retired the first nine batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until the fifth, when Kurt Suzuki led off with a double to left field that Andrew Benintendi didn't field cleanly enough to hold Suzuki to one bag.

One out later, Phil Gosselin drove a pitch to right that MJ Melendez — a catcher by trade making his eighth career start in the outfield — couldn't snare while crashing into the wall. Gosselin cruised into third with a run-scoring triple while Melendez, whose face smacked the metal fencing, needed a moment to recover before staying in the game.

Brandon Marsh proceeded to drive in Gosselin for a 2-0 lead.

Gosselin had a chance to do more damage in the sixth, when Jared Walsh and Suzuki hit one-out singles and Magneuris Sierra walked to load the bases. Instead, Gosselin grounded to shortstop for an inning-ending double play.

It didn't matter. The Royals never came close to solving Junk or the Los Angeles bullpen all afternoon.

Angels OF Mike Trout will go at least another week without baseball activity because of his ailing back, trainer Mike Frostad said, and there’s a chance the three-time AL MVP could need to manage it the rest of his career.

Trout left a game against Houston on July 12 with what was called back spasms, then went on the injured list a week later with rib case inflammation. He had a cortisone injection last week for what has since been determined to be a rare spinal dysfunction.

“Of course, that's my goal,” Trout said, when asked whether he plans to play again this season. “I'm going to see the doctor for a checkup and we'll go from there.”

Angels: RHP Austin Warren was optioned to Salt Lake to make room for Junk on the roster.

Royals: LHP Angel Zerpa went on the IL after hurting his right knee while fielding a grounder down the first-base line in his start Tuesday night. RHP Jackson Kowar was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to replace him.

Angels: OF Jo Adell got the day off after getting hit in the arm by a pitch Tuesday night.

Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (hamstring) missed his third straight game, though Matheny said he's still hopeful of avoiding an IL trip. ... 1B Vinnie Pasquantino was out of the lineup with right thumb discomfort.

Angels: Head home for a four-game series against Texas with RHP Shohei Ohtani (9-5, 2.80 ERA) starting Thursday night's opener.

Royals: Embark on a seven-game trip with RHP Brady Singer (4-3, 3.82) on the mound for the first of four games against the Yankees on Thursday night.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Janson Junk didn't get a chance to pitch when the Los Angeles Angels recalled him from Triple-A Salt Lake last month.He made the most of his time on the mound Wednesday.Junk dazzled the Angels with five-plus innings of four-hit ball, mixing up a fastball with a two-seam slider, and earned his first major league win when the Los Angeles bullpen shut out the Kansas City Royals the rest of the way in a 4-0 victory.“After the last time I came up, I got activated but I wasn't able to throw,” said Junk (1-0), who did make a relief appearance in May after four starts last season. “It left a bitter taste in my mouth. I made it my mission to get back here.”He might get another shot, too, considering how he set down the Kansas City lineup. The 26-year-old allowed four hits and a walk while striking out eight before turning over a 2-0 lead to his bullpen, which did not allow a run for the second consecutive day.“He was pounding the strike zone. He knows what's effective for him,” interim Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “A lot of good fastballs, pitched ahead and just really pitched well.”Shohei Ohtani reached base three times and drove in a run, pacing a scuffling Angels offense that managed to capitalize on the Royals' shoddy fielding and get their first series win since June 27-29 against the White Sox.“We put some pressure on them,” Nevin said, “and then we were able to add a couple of runs.”Brad Keller (5-11) allowed three runs on six hits and three walks in six innings for Kansas City.“It was a really good outing,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He gave us a chance to win and that's all we can ask.”Keller retired the first nine batters he faced and didn't allow a hit until the fifth, when Kurt Suzuki led off with a double to left field that Andrew Benintendi didn't field cleanly enough to hold Suzuki to one bag.One out later, Phil Gosselin drove a pitch to right that MJ Melendez — a catcher by trade making his eighth career start in the outfield — couldn't snare while crashing into the wall. Gosselin cruised into third with a run-scoring triple while Melendez, whose face smacked the metal fencing, needed a moment to recover before staying in the game.Brandon Marsh proceeded to drive in Gosselin for a 2-0 lead.Gosselin had a chance to do more damage in the sixth, when Jared Walsh and Suzuki hit one-out singles and Magneuris Sierra walked to load the bases. Instead, Gosselin grounded to shortstop for an inning-ending double play.It didn't matter. The Royals never came close to solving Junk or the Los Angeles bullpen all afternoon.TROUT'S PROGNOSISAngels OF Mike Trout will go at least another week without baseball activity because of his ailing back, trainer Mike Frostad said, and there’s a chance the three-time AL MVP could need to manage it the rest of his career.Trout left a game against Houston on July 12 with what was called back spasms, then went on the injured list a week later with rib case inflammation. He had a cortisone injection last week for what has since been determined to be a rare spinal dysfunction.“Of course, that's my goal,” Trout said, when asked whether he plans to play again this season. “I'm going to see the doctor for a checkup and we'll go from there.”ROSTER MOVESAngels: RHP Austin Warren was optioned to Salt Lake to make room for Junk on the roster.Royals: LHP Angel Zerpa went on the IL after hurting his right knee while fielding a grounder down the first-base line in his start Tuesday night. RHP Jackson Kowar was recalled from Triple-A Omaha to replace him.TRAINER'S ROOMAngels: OF Jo Adell got the day off after getting hit in the arm by a pitch Tuesday night.Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (hamstring) missed his third straight game, though Matheny said he's still hopeful of avoiding an IL trip. ... 1B Vinnie Pasquantino was out of the lineup with right thumb discomfort.UP NEXTAngels: Head home for a four-game series against Texas with RHP Shohei Ohtani (9-5, 2.80 ERA) starting Thursday night's opener.Royals: Embark on a seven-game trip with RHP Brady Singer (4-3, 3.82) on the mound for the first of four games against the Yankees on Thursday night.

⚾ Junk shuts down Royals, Angels cruise to take series

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Clyde Edwards-Helaire trotted down the long hill toward the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice field, one day after he was placed on the physically unable to perform list, and the competition was on to be the starting running back this season.

Just like jobs at left tackle, cornerback and even wide receiver.

The Chiefs had their first full-squad workout of training camp on a warm, humid Wednesday morning with a cast that looks a lot different from how they finished last season. Edwards-Helaire is competing with Ronald Jones II and a bevy of others for carries in the backfield, the cornerback job opposite L’Jarius Sneed is up for grabs and, after the departure of Tyreek Hill and two other receivers, the pecking order for quarterback Patrick Mahomes is still to be determined.

“Looks like we’re in good shape, got a little foundation there and we’ll start building on that,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who wasted no time pitting tentative starters against each other with a crowd of thousands on hand.

"Offense won a few. Defense won a few. They were competing,” Reid said. “I was happy with the attitude and the work.”

Edwards-Helaire briefly landed on the PUP list Tuesday while taking care of his conditioning test, then joined Jones and the rest of the running backs in what should be a spirited competition the next few weeks. Jerick McKinnon is also back after a strong finish to last season with Derrick Gore and rookies Isiah Pacheco and Tayon Fleet-Davis.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Clyde Edwards-Helaire trotted down the long hill toward the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice field, one day after he was placed on the physically unable to perform list, and the competition was on to be the starting running back this season.Just like jobs at left tackle, cornerback and even wide receiver.The Chiefs had their first full-squad workout of training camp on a warm, humid Wednesday morning with a cast that looks a lot different from how they finished last season. Edwards-Helaire is competing with Ronald Jones II and a bevy of others for carries in the backfield, the cornerback job opposite L’Jarius Sneed is up for grabs and, after the departure of Tyreek Hill and two other receivers, the pecking order for quarterback Patrick Mahomes is still to be determined.“Looks like we’re in good shape, got a little foundation there and we’ll start building on that,” said Chiefs coach Andy Reid, who wasted no time pitting tentative starters against each other with a crowd of thousands on hand."Offense won a few. Defense won a few. They were competing,” Reid said. “I was happy with the attitude and the work.”Edwards-Helaire briefly landed on the PUP list Tuesday while taking care of his conditioning test, then joined Jones and the rest of the running backs in what should be a spirited competition the next few weeks. Jerick McKinnon is also back after a strong finish to last season with Derrick Gore and rookies Isiah Pacheco and Tayon Fleet-Davis.

🏈 Chiefs hold first full-squad workout with jobs to be won

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State head basketball coach Jereme Tang completed his full-time coaching staff on Wednesday afternoon with the selection of veteran coach Rodney Perry as the program's third and final assistant coach. Perry's first official day will be Monday, August 1.

Perry, a finalist
for the 2022 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Boys Coach of the Year, arrives
at K-State after spending the past season building Link Academy in Branson,
Mo., into a national powerhouse, as the Lions finished as the national
runner-up at the GEICO National Tournament with a 34-2 record. 

In addition, Perry
recently led the AAU program that he helped found – MOKAN Elite – to their
third championship at the prestigious Nike Peach Jam (2016, 2019, 2022) with a
53-52 win over Team Takeover on July 24 to cap a 26-4 season. MOKAN Elite’s
three championships are the most by any team in the 26-year history of the
signature Nike EYBL (Elite Youth Basketball League) summer event held in North
Augusta, S.C.

All told, Perry’s
Link Academy (34-2) and MOKAN Elite (26-4) teams went a combined 60-6 during
the 2021-22 season.

<a>“I couldn’t be more excited about adding someone of the
quality – on and off the basketball court – as Rodney Perry,” said Tang.
“Obviously he is a terrific coach and winner, just look at what he was able to
do in just one season at Link Academy and his many years working with one of
the best grassroots organizations in MOKAN Elite. </a>

But he is more than just an elite basketball
mind, he fits in so with our staff because of his values and character. I can’t
wait for Wildcat Nation to get to know Rodney, his wife, Leslie, and their
family!”

Overall, Perry has
28 years of coaching experience with 15 coming on the college level, including
six as the head coach at NAIA Avila University in Kansas City from 2010-16. On
top of that, he is a co-founder and former head coach of two ultra-successful
AAU teams in the Springfield (Mo.) Rockets (1994-2003) and MOKAN Elite (2006-16,
2018-19, 2021-22). In addition to the three Peach Jam titles in the last seven
years with MOKAN Elite, he won the 1995 AAU National Championship with the
Rockets. 

“My family and I are
extremely grateful and feel blessed to be joining such an incredible staff and
university,” said Perry. “I know the goals that Coach Tang has for the Wildcat
family and community, the expectations are extremely high. I am committed to
working extremely hard to ensure that these goals are achieved. I'm looking
forward to getting started and helping the team get better on and off the floor
and getting to know the Wildcat community. EMAW!”

Perry completes the
three-man assistant coaching staff for Tang, which includes associate head
coach Ulric Maligi and fellow assistant coach Jareem Dowling. He
also joins a support staff that includes Chief of Staff Marco Borne,
Director of Men’s Basketball Operations Bailey Bachamp, Director of
Player Development Austin Carpenter, Director of Video Services Anthony
Winchester, Director of Basketball Strategies Kevin Sutton and
Strength and Conditioning Coach Phil Baier.

“I couldn’t be more
excited about the future of our program with this staff and their families,”
said Tang. 

Perry has served as
a head coach on six different occasions at the professional, college and high
school ranks in his career, including Purdy High School (2001-02) in Purdy,
Mo., Miller High School (2006-07) in Miller, Mo., the Kansas City Stars ABA
Basketball Club (2009-10), Avila University (2010-16), Summit Christian Academy
(2018-19) in Broken Arrow, Okla., and Link Academy (2021-22). 

Perry has also had a
hand in the development of a number of NBA players during his career, most
notably Atlanta Hawks superstar Trae Young, Detroit Piston Alec Burks,
Denver Nugget Michael Porter, Jr. and Philadelphia 76er Shake Milton
as well as 2022 first-round draft picks Ochai Agbaji (Cleveland
Cavaliers) and Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets). In all, he counts 10
former players on NBA rosters.

In his one season
with Link, Perry nearly made coaching history by leading the first-year program
to the GEICO national title before falling to powerhouse Montverde Academy,
60-49, in the championship game on April 2. The Lions opened the season with 26
wins in a row, spending time as the nation’s top-ranked team, before their lone
regular-season loss to No. 1 Sunrise Christian, 74-65, at the Heartland Classic
in Nebraska. 

Link finished the
regular season with a 32-1 record before defeating No. 5 Oak Hill, 81-67, and
No. 8 Prolific Prep, 60-53, at GEICO Nationals, and setting up the showdown
with defending champion Montverde in the championship game. The Lions finished
No. 2 in the final ESPN High School Boys Basketball Top 25.

While at Link, Perry
coached a pair of McDonald’s All-Americans in Julian Phillips (LSU
commit) and Jordan Walsh (Arkansas commit) in 2021-22, while Phillips
and Walsh were joined by Tarris Reed (Michigan commit) on the Jordan
Brand Classic All-America Team for which Perry was selected as a head coach.

Perry has coached at
six universities in his 15-year college coaching career, including Southwest
Baptist (2002-03), Duquesne (2003-06), Western Illinois (2007-08), Avila
(2010-16), Oral Roberts (2016-18) and Kansas City (2019-21).

Perry’s most recent
job in college came during a two-year stint (2019-21) at Kansas City under head
coach Billy Donlon. He helped the ‘Roos to their second-highest win
total (16) in the last 19 seasons in 2019-20.

Perry was associate
head coach at Oral Roberts for Scott Sutton and Paul Mills from
2016-18, where he helped establish the foundation for a Golden Eagle program
that advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2020-21. He coached the 2016-17 Summit League
Freshman of the Year Emmanuel Nzekwesi as well as the 2017-18 Transfer
of the Year Austin Ruder and Sixth Man of the Year Albert Owens.
He also played a part in the recruitment of Kevin Obanor, who would be
named the league’s Freshman of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year in 2018-19.

From 2010-16, Perry
was the head coach at Avila University, a small private NAIA program of 1,500
students in suburban Kansas City. He led the Eagles to 81 victories in six
seasons, including the school’s first 20-win campaign in 15 years in 2015-16.
He developed a two-time All-American in Sedrick Johnson, who was an NAIA
Second Team All-American and the Heart of America Athletic Conference Defensive
Player of the Year in 2015-16. In all, he coached two Defensive Players of the
Year (Curtis Churchman, Johnson) and 16 all-conference players.

Perry has served as
recruiting coordinator twice at the Division I level, including at Duquesne
(2003-06) for head coach Danny Nee and Western Illinois (2007-08) for
head coach Derek Thomas. He helped sign Bryant McAllister, who
ranks 10th on the Dukes’ all-time scoring list with 1,546 points,
while one of his players at WIU – Ceola Clark III – was a two-time
Summit League Defensive Player of the Year (2010, 2012) and a First Team
All-Summit League selection (2010).

In 2006, Perry
helped co-found the MOKAN Elite AAU program, which has been the home to some of
the best players in the country. He was part of five trips to the Peach Jam
Final Four (2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022), including three championships (2016,
2019, 2022), while assisting in the development of eight NBA players. He was
named the 2016 Indihoops National Coach of the Year while with MOKAN.

Perry began his coaching career as an assistant coach in the
Missouri high school system in 1994. He coached at Willard and Springfield
Central High Schools before landing his first head coaching position at Purdy
High School in Purdy, Mo., in 2001-02. He led Purdy to its best record in 10
years before accepting his first college coaching career as an assistant at
Division II Southwest Baptist under head coach Jerry Kirksey in 2002-03.

In 1994, Perry started the Springfield (Mo.) Rockets AAU
program, earning 1996 AAU Coach of the Year honors after leading the team to
the 1995 AAU national championship. In 10 years with Perry, the Rockets
developed 26 players who went on to compete at the college level.

Perry also has extensive experience with USA Basketball,
serving as a court coach at the 2016 U17 World Cup training camp, 2018 Junior
National Team minicamp and the 2019 U19 National Team training camp. He has
coached for the USA Men’s West Team at the 2012 Nike Global Challenge and the
2015 Nike Global Challenge.

Perry was the head coach the USA Nike World Challenge Team,
which won the gold medal in 2015 and a bronze medal in 2012, while he was an
assistant coach on the gold-medal winning 2016 Team USA U17 and 2019 Team USA
U16 World Championship teams.

Perry played collegiately at both Arkansas-Fort Smith
(1989-91) and Missouri State (1991-93). He helped the Bears to a pair of
postseason appearances, including the 1992 NCAA Tournament under legendary head
coach Charlie Spoonhour. He served as co-captain for a MSU squad that
posted a 20-11 record and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals under head coach Mark
Bernsen.

A two-time member of the MVC All-Defensive Team, Perry led
the team in steals in each of his two seasons at Missouri State. He was named
to the Missouri Valley (MVC) All-Tournament after leading the school to its
first and only postseason conference tournament title in 1992.

Perry earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from
Missouri State in 1994.

A native of Fort Smith, Ark., Perry and wife, Leslie,
have two sons, Darris and Devrin.

Founder and Head Coach,
Springfield Rockets AAU program, 1994-2003 Head Coach, Purdy High
School, 2001-02 Assistant Coach, Southwest
Baptist, 2002-03 Assistant Coach, Duquesne,
2003-06 Head Coach, Miller High
School, 2006-07 Co-Founder and Head Coach,
MOKAN Elite, 2006-16; 2018-19; 2021-22 Assistant Coach, Western
Illinois, 2007-08 Head Coach, Kansas City Stars
ABA Basketball Club, 2009-10 Head Coach, Avila University,
2010-16 Associate Head Coach, Oral
Roberts, 2016-18 Head Coach, Summit Christian
Academy (Okla.), 2018-19 Assistant Coach, Kansas City,
2019-21 Head Coach, Link Academy
(Mo.), 2021-22 Assistant Coach, Kansas
State, 2022-present

Playing Experience Arkansas-Fort Smith, 1989-91 Missouri State, 1991-93

Education Bachelor’s Degree in Physical
Education, Missouri State, 2002

Personal Hometown: Fort Smith, Ark. Wife: Leslie Children: Darris and Devrin

The Perry College Head
Coaching FileYear&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
School&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Conference&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Postseason 2010-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Avila
(Mo.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
12-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
8-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAAC Tournament
(0-1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
 2011-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Avila
(Mo.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
18-12&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
11-7&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAAC Tournament (0-1) 2012-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Avila
(Mo.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
10-19&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
5-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAAC Tournament (0-1) 2013-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Avila
(Mo.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
6-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
4-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAAC Tournament (0-1) 2014-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Avila
(Mo.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
15-15&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
9-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAAC Tournament (1-1) 2015-16&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Avila
(Mo.)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
20-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
13-10 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
HAAC Tournament (0-1) Totals (6
years)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
81-96 (.458)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 50-67
(.427)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a>The
Perry College Assistant Coaching File </a>Year&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
School&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Overall&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Conference&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Postseason 2002-03&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Southwest
Baptist&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
9-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
5-11&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
-- 2003-04&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Duquesne&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
12-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
6-10 (5th)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
-- 2004-05&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Duquesne&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
8-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
5-11 (5th)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
-- 2005-06&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Duquesne&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
3-24&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
1-15 (14th)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
-- 2007-08&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Western Illinois&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
12-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
7-11 (7th)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Summit League Tournament (0-1) 2016-17&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Oral
Roberts*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
8-22&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
4-12 (9th)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
-- 2017-18&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Oral
Roberts*&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
11-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
5-9 (5th)&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Summit League Tournament (0-1) 2019-20&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Kansas
City&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
16-14&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
8-7 (4th)&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
WAC Tournament (ccd.) 2020-21&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Kansas City&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
11-13&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
7-7 (5th)&nbsp;
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
WAC Tournament (0-1) Totals (9
years)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
90-168 (.349)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 48-93
(.340)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏀 Tang Names Rodney Perry as Assistant Coach

HAYS – Cade Brown homered and starter Sam Hendon didn’t
allow a run in four innings as the Hays Larks beat the Gameday
Angels 4-3 Tuesday the in their second to last game of the regular season at
Larks Park. 

Brown opened the game with a second inning RBI single to put
the Larks up 1-0.

The Larks (33-8, 23-4 RMBL) added single runs in the third, fourth and seventh,
on Brown’s sixth homerun of the summer on their way to the one-run win.

Sam Hendon didn’t allow a run with four strikeouts
in four innings for the win and longtime Larks standout Wyatt Divis returned for
a perfect ninth, with a pair of strikeouts for his first save of the year.

The Larks and Gameday will close out the regular season Wednesday
at 7 p.m. at Larks Park.

The Larks begin play Thursday again Austin at 3 p.m. at the
NBC World Series in Hutchinson.

HAYS – Cade Brown homered and starter Sam Hendon didn’t
allow a run in four innings as the Hays Larks beat the Gameday
Angels 4-3 Tuesday the in their second to last game of the regular season at
Larks Park. Brown opened the game with a second inning RBI single to put
the Larks up 1-0.The Larks (33-8, 23-4 RMBL) added single runs in the third, fourth and seventh,
on Brown’s sixth homerun of the summer on their way to the one-run win.Sam Hendon didn’t allow a run with four strikeouts
in four innings for the win and longtime Larks standout Wyatt Divis returned for
a perfect ninth, with a pair of strikeouts for his first save of the year.The Larks and Gameday will close out the regular season Wednesday
at 7 p.m. at Larks Park.The Larks begin play Thursday again Austin at 3 p.m. at the
NBC World Series in Hutchinson.

⚾Brown and Larks hold off Gameday Angels

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani fanned on three pitches during his first at-bat against the Royals on Tuesday night.

His next at-bat set the tone for the rest of the game.

The do-everything All-Star sent the third pitch of that at-bat 420 feet to straightaway center field, giving Los Angeles the early lead. The Angels piled on from there, getting a bases-loaded double from Luis Rengifo and a late home run from Max Stassi, while Jose Suarez and their bullpen dominated Kansas City in a 6-0 victory.

“We lean on him a lot,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said of Ohtani, who showed no lingering affects from a foul ball he took off his thigh Monday night. “He hit that ball 110 miles an hour and it barely got out. This is a big park.”

Suarez (2-4) scattered three hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings before the Los Angeles bullpen, which was hammered by Kansas City in a series-opening loss, rolled through the same bunch to clinch the Angels’ first win since July 13.

They also kept Kansas City from winning four consecutive games for the first time this season.

“I came to battle today because my last outing wasn’t too good,” said Suarez, who had given up 10 earned runs in his last two starts combined. “I set a goal to keep battling and do better in the second half.”

The Royals’ Angel Zerpa (2-1) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk before departing with a right knee injury in the fifth. His own bullpen didn’t do him any favors, in particular Wyatt Mills, who hit a batter with the bases loaded to push across a run and wound up allowing three runs on three hits, two walks and two hit batters.

“We had a lot of good at-bats,” Nevin said. “Really, a lot of good at-bats.”

Zerpa had mostly kept the Angels in check in his recall from Double-A Northwest Arkansas, the only damage on Ohtani’s 420-foot shot to center field in the third inning. It was his sixth homer in 17 career games against Kansas City.

Then in the fifth, Zerpa was attempting to run down a grounder down the line when he reached to glove the ball and flip to first. Zerpa wound up making an awkward movement that caused him some knee pain and, after trying to make a couple of warmup pitches, departed with runners on the corners and nobody out.

“He was great. You just love watching him pitch, his style,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He just felt something in his knee. They’re going to take a look at it, but it didn’t feel good.”

It looked as though the Angels might squander a good scoring chance, especially when Michael A. Taylor ran down a shallow fly off Ohtani’s bat. But then Amir Garrett unloaded a wild pitch that allowed Phil Gosselin to score for a 2-0 lead, and the Angels proceeded to score three times in the seventh before Stassi’s 422-foot homer in the ninth.

The Royals’ best scoring chance came in the sixth, when Nicky Lopez was hit by a pitch and they loaded the bases. Jose Quijada entered and got a force out at home before getting Vinnie Pasquantino on an inning-ending fly out.

“Our bullpen did a heck of a job,” Nevin said. “Quijada was phenomenal.”

Royals RHP Jackson Kowar was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Zerpa on the roster.

Angels: CF Mike Trout (rib inflammation) still has not done any baseball work, interim manager Phil Nevin said. Trout had a cortisone shot last week and was eligible to come off the injured list Monday.

Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (hamstring) hit in the cage before the game but was out of the lineup for the second straight night.. ... C Salvador Perez (thumb surgery) went 3 for 4 in his first rehab game Tuesday night at Omaha.

The Angels are recalling RHP Janson Junk (0-0, 0.00 ERA) from Triple-A Salt Lake for his second big league appearance and first start this season in Wednesday’s finale. RHP Brad Keller (5-10, 4.16) is getting the nod for Kansas City.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani fanned on three pitches during his first at-bat against the Royals on Tuesday night.His next at-bat set the tone for the rest of the game.The do-everything All-Star sent the third pitch of that at-bat 420 feet to straightaway center field, giving Los Angeles the early lead. The Angels piled on from there, getting a bases-loaded double from Luis Rengifo and a late home run from Max Stassi, while Jose Suarez and their bullpen dominated Kansas City in a 6-0 victory.“We lean on him a lot,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said of Ohtani, who showed no lingering affects from a foul ball he took off his thigh Monday night. “He hit that ball 110 miles an hour and it barely got out. This is a big park.”Suarez (2-4) scattered three hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings before the Los Angeles bullpen, which was hammered by Kansas City in a series-opening loss, rolled through the same bunch to clinch the Angels’ first win since July 13.ADVERTISEMENTThey also kept Kansas City from winning four consecutive games for the first time this season.“I came to battle today because my last outing wasn’t too good,” said Suarez, who had given up 10 earned runs in his last two starts combined. “I set a goal to keep battling and do better in the second half.”<h2>MLB</h2><ul>
 <li>Giants look to break 6-game road skid, play the Diamondbacks</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Rangers look to avoid series sweep against the Mariners</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Blue Jays host the Cardinals on 4-game home win streak</li>
 </ul><ul>
 <li>Rays aim to break 4-game road losing streak, play the Orioles</li>
 </ul>The Royals’ Angel Zerpa (2-1) allowed two runs, one earned, on four hits and a walk before departing with a right knee injury in the fifth. His own bullpen didn’t do him any favors, in particular Wyatt Mills, who hit a batter with the bases loaded to push across a run and wound up allowing three runs on three hits, two walks and two hit batters.“We had a lot of good at-bats,” Nevin said. “Really, a lot of good at-bats.”Zerpa had mostly kept the Angels in check in his recall from Double-A Northwest Arkansas, the only damage on Ohtani’s 420-foot shot to center field in the third inning. It was his sixth homer in 17 career games against Kansas City.Then in the fifth, Zerpa was attempting to run down a grounder down the line when he reached to glove the ball and flip to first. Zerpa wound up making an awkward movement that caused him some knee pain and, after trying to make a couple of warmup pitches, departed with runners on the corners and nobody out.“He was great. You just love watching him pitch, his style,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “He just felt something in his knee. They’re going to take a look at it, but it didn’t feel good.”It looked as though the Angels might squander a good scoring chance, especially when Michael A. Taylor ran down a shallow fly off Ohtani’s bat. But then Amir Garrett unloaded a wild pitch that allowed Phil Gosselin to score for a 2-0 lead, and the Angels proceeded to score three times in the seventh before Stassi’s 422-foot homer in the ninth.The Royals’ best scoring chance came in the sixth, when Nicky Lopez was hit by a pitch and they loaded the bases. Jose Quijada entered and got a force out at home before getting Vinnie Pasquantino on an inning-ending fly out.ADVERTISEMENT“Our bullpen did a heck of a job,” Nevin said. “Quijada was phenomenal.”ROSTER MOVERoyals RHP Jackson Kowar was optioned to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Zerpa on the roster.TRAINER’S ROOMAngels: CF Mike Trout (rib inflammation) still has not done any baseball work, interim manager Phil Nevin said. Trout had a cortisone shot last week and was eligible to come off the injured list Monday.Royals: SS Bobby Witt Jr. (hamstring) hit in the cage before the game but was out of the lineup for the second straight night.. ... C Salvador Perez (thumb surgery) went 3 for 4 in his first rehab game Tuesday night at Omaha.UP NEXTThe Angels are recalling RHP Janson Junk (0-0, 0.00 ERA) from Triple-A Salt Lake for his second big league appearance and first start this season in Wednesday’s finale. RHP Brad Keller (5-10, 4.16) is getting the nod for Kansas City.

⚾Shohei Ohtani homers, Angels shut down Royals in 6-0 victory

The deadline for the inagural Hays High Athletic Hall of Fame banquet is this Friday, July 29th.&nbsp;

Doors open at 6:00 with dinner served at 6:15.&nbsp;

Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="http://uctria.com/auction/HHSATHLETICHALLOFFAME?fbclid=IwAR0sOQa2DEgL3uxy9jzRGRqfu3zuPn5qdeKH_DzrXbukN2hC07kE2DU14oM" target="_blank">http://uctria.com/auction/HHSATHLETICHALLOFFAME</a>&nbsp;or purchase your tickets at the Brian Ruder Agency, located at the corner of 27th and Indian Trail in Hays.

The tickets are $40 and include a meal, dessert, and tea or water. A cash bar will be available.

&nbsp;- 1944 state champion boys basketball team &nbsp;- 1953 football team (8-0-1) &nbsp;- 1954 football team (9-0, #4 in final poll, no playoffs a that time) &nbsp;- 1989 girls track state championship team &nbsp;- Willard Schmidt - Baseball (1946) &nbsp;- Dale Alexander- Track (1959) &nbsp;- Gene Rider - Basketball, Baseball (1964) &nbsp;- Carmen Ginther - Tennis (1978) &nbsp;- Marla Powell - Volleyball, Basketball, Track (1981) &nbsp;- Terrie Sargent - Volleyball, Basketball, Track(1981) &nbsp;- Tamara Munsch - Golf (2000) &nbsp;- Jeff Bieker - Baseball (2001) &nbsp;- Marcus Watts - Football, Basketball, Track (2002) &nbsp;- Coach Jim Maska &nbsp;- Coach Bob Kuhn &nbsp;- Athletic Director Mike Karl&nbsp;&nbsp;

There is now a Facebook page named Hays High Athletics Hall of Fame with updated information and details about the honorees.

&nbsp; Questions about the Hays High School Athletics Hall of Fame or about the banquet can be sent to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hayshighhof@gmail.com" target="_blank">hayshighhof@gmail.com</a>

The deadline for the inagural Hays High Athletic Hall of Fame banquet is this Friday, July 29th.&nbsp;Doors open at 6:00 with dinner served at 6:15.&nbsp;Tickets are available online at&nbsp;<a href="http://uctria.com/auction/HHSATHLETICHALLOFFAME?fbclid=IwAR0sOQa2DEgL3uxy9jzRGRqfu3zuPn5qdeKH_DzrXbukN2hC07kE2DU14oM" target="_blank">http://uctria.com/auction/HHSATHLETICHALLOFFAME</a>&nbsp;or purchase your tickets at the Brian Ruder Agency, located at the corner of 27th and Indian Trail in Hays.The tickets are $40 and include a meal, dessert, and tea or water. A cash bar will be available.The first class inducted includes:&nbsp;- 1944 state champion boys basketball team &nbsp;- 1953 football team (8-0-1) &nbsp;- 1954 football team (9-0, #4 in final poll, no playoffs a that time) &nbsp;- 1989 girls track state championship team &nbsp;- Willard Schmidt - Baseball (1946) &nbsp;- Dale Alexander- Track (1959) &nbsp;- Gene Rider - Basketball, Baseball (1964) &nbsp;- Carmen Ginther - Tennis (1978) &nbsp;- Marla Powell - Volleyball, Basketball, Track (1981) &nbsp;- Terrie Sargent - Volleyball, Basketball, Track(1981) &nbsp;- Tamara Munsch - Golf (2000) &nbsp;- Jeff Bieker - Baseball (2001) &nbsp;- Marcus Watts - Football, Basketball, Track (2002) &nbsp;- Coach Jim Maska &nbsp;- Coach Bob Kuhn &nbsp;- Athletic Director Mike Karl&nbsp;&nbsp;There is now a Facebook page named Hays High Athletics Hall of Fame with updated information and details about the honorees.&nbsp; Questions about the Hays High School Athletics Hall of Fame or about the banquet can be sent to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hayshighhof@gmail.com" target="_blank">hayshighhof@gmail.com</a>

LAST CALL: Ticket deadline for Hays High HOF banquet this Friday

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2022 Preseason Polls for football on Tuesday, July 26 at its annual Football Media Day in Kansas City. The Tigers were picked fifth in both polls. The polls were nearly identical, except for a little wrinkle in the No. 7 through No. 9 spots. Northwest Missouri State was favored heavily in both polls to win a fourth-straight conference title.

Fort Hays State is picked a couple of spots higher in the standings from where it finished the 2021 season. The Tigers went 5-6 last year, which placed them seventh in the conference. The Tigers came up on the short end of several close contested games, falling four times by just a one-score margin, and all six losses were by 10 points or less. Two of their five wins on the year were by seven or less points. All of their sizable wins were to teams picked in the final three spots of this year's preseason polls. The top six spots were identical in both polls. Northwest Missouri State was the top pick, receiving 10 of 12 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll and 22 of 26 first-place votes in the Media Poll. Nebraska-Kearney held the No. 2 spot after finishing in that position last year, making its first appearance in the NCAA playoffs since 2011. Pittsburg State is third in both polls, followed by Washburn in fourth, Fort Hays State in fifth, and Emporia State in sixth. Fort Hays State returns 14 starters from 2021, including eight on offense and six on defense. All-MIAA performers on offense returning include tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6130">Hunter Budke</a>, running back&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6186">Adrian Soto</a>, quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>, wide receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6174">Manny Ramsey</a>, and offensive linemen&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6366">Kristopher Stroughter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6158">Pat Kelly</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6154">Ted Hessing</a>. On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6153">Layke Heimerman</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6167">Myles Menges</a>&nbsp;were All-MIAA selections last year. Fort Hays State opens the 2022 season on the road at conference favorite Northwest Missouri State on September 1 before playing its first of five home games. The Tigers face Missouri Western in their first contest at home on September 8. Other home opponents in 2022 will include Missouri Southern, Washburn, Central Missouri, and Northeastern State. Get your season tickets today by contacting the FHSU Athletic Department at (785) 628-4050 or drop by the office in person. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/schedule">2022 Fort Hays State Football Schedule</a> Below are the 2022 MIAA Football Coaches and Media Polls. 2022 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches Poll 1) Northwest Missouri – 119 Points [10 First-Place Votes] 2) Nebraska Kearney – 104 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 3) Pittsburg State – 100 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 4) Washburn – 98 Points 5) Fort Hays State – 76 Points 6) Emporia State – 63 Points T7) Central Missouri – 58 Points T7) Missouri Western – 58 Points 9) Central Oklahoma – 51 Points 10) Missouri Southern – 29 Points 11) Northeastern State – 22 Points 12) Lincoln – 12 Points 2022 MIAA Football Preseason Media Poll 1) Northwest Missouri – 296 Points [22 First-Place Votes] 2) Nebraska Kearney – 263 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 3) Pittsburg State – 237 Points [1 First Place Vote] 4) Washburn – 226 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 5) Fort Hays State – 180 Points 6) Emporia State – 175 Points 7) Missouri Western – 156 Points 8) Central Oklahoma – 136 Points 9) Central Missouri – 108 Points 10) Missouri Southern – 95 Points 11) Northeastern State – 52 Points 12) Lincoln – 26 Points&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658848304523.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association released its 2022 Preseason Polls for football on Tuesday, July 26 at its annual Football Media Day in Kansas City. The Tigers were picked fifth in both polls. The polls were nearly identical, except for a little wrinkle in the No. 7 through No. 9 spots. Northwest Missouri State was favored heavily in both polls to win a fourth-straight conference title.<div><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" allow="autoplay" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1312193872&color=%23ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true"></iframe><div style="font-size: 10px; color: #cccccc;line-break: anywhere;word-break: normal;overflow: hidden;white-space: nowrap;text-overflow: ellipsis; font-family: Interstate,Lucida Grande,Lucida Sans Unicode,Lucida Sans,Garuda,Verdana,Tahoma,sans-serif;font-weight: 100;"><a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509" title="Eagle Radio" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">Eagle Radio</a> · <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-814667509/7-26-fhsu-miaa-media-day" title="7-26 - FHSU MIAA Media Day" target="_blank" style="color: #cccccc; text-decoration: none;">7-26 - FHSU MIAA Media Day</a></div></div> Fort Hays State is picked a couple of spots higher in the standings from where it finished the 2021 season. The Tigers went 5-6 last year, which placed them seventh in the conference. The Tigers came up on the short end of several close contested games, falling four times by just a one-score margin, and all six losses were by 10 points or less. Two of their five wins on the year were by seven or less points. All of their sizable wins were to teams picked in the final three spots of this year's preseason polls. The top six spots were identical in both polls. Northwest Missouri State was the top pick, receiving 10 of 12 first-place votes in the Coaches Poll and 22 of 26 first-place votes in the Media Poll. Nebraska-Kearney held the No. 2 spot after finishing in that position last year, making its first appearance in the NCAA playoffs since 2011. Pittsburg State is third in both polls, followed by Washburn in fourth, Fort Hays State in fifth, and Emporia State in sixth. Fort Hays State returns 14 starters from 2021, including eight on offense and six on defense. All-MIAA performers on offense returning include tight end&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6130">Hunter Budke</a>, running back&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6186">Adrian Soto</a>, quarterback&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>, wide receiver&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6174">Manny Ramsey</a>, and offensive linemen&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6366">Kristopher Stroughter</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6158">Pat Kelly</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6154">Ted Hessing</a>. On the defensive side of the ball, linebackers&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6153">Layke Heimerman</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6167">Myles Menges</a>&nbsp;were All-MIAA selections last year. Fort Hays State opens the 2022 season on the road at conference favorite Northwest Missouri State on September 1 before playing its first of five home games. The Tigers face Missouri Western in their first contest at home on September 8. Other home opponents in 2022 will include Missouri Southern, Washburn, Central Missouri, and Northeastern State. Get your season tickets today by contacting the FHSU Athletic Department at (785) 628-4050 or drop by the office in person. <a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/sports/football/schedule">2022 Fort Hays State Football Schedule</a> Below are the 2022 MIAA Football Coaches and Media Polls. 2022 MIAA Football Preseason Coaches Poll 1) Northwest Missouri – 119 Points [10 First-Place Votes] 2) Nebraska Kearney – 104 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 3) Pittsburg State – 100 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 4) Washburn – 98 Points 5) Fort Hays State – 76 Points 6) Emporia State – 63 Points T7) Central Missouri – 58 Points T7) Missouri Western – 58 Points 9) Central Oklahoma – 51 Points 10) Missouri Southern – 29 Points 11) Northeastern State – 22 Points 12) Lincoln – 12 Points 2022 MIAA Football Preseason Media Poll 1) Northwest Missouri – 296 Points [22 First-Place Votes] 2) Nebraska Kearney – 263 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 3) Pittsburg State – 237 Points [1 First Place Vote] 4) Washburn – 226 Points [1 First-Place Vote] 5) Fort Hays State – 180 Points 6) Emporia State – 175 Points 7) Missouri Western – 156 Points 8) Central Oklahoma – 136 Points 9) Central Missouri – 108 Points 10) Missouri Southern – 95 Points 11) Northeastern State – 52 Points 12) Lincoln – 26 Points&nbsp;&nbsp;

🏈FHSU football picked fifth in both MIAA preseason polls

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;A pair of Wildcats saw their names on preseason watch lists on Tuesday, as Kansas State defensive end&nbsp;Felix Anudike-Uzomah&nbsp;was one of 85 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, while offensive lineman&nbsp;Cooper Beebe&nbsp;was named one of 89 players on the Outland Trophy watch list, the Football Writers Association of America announced.

It is the first time either player has been named candidates for those respective awards. The Nagurski Trophy is presented to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Anudike-Uzomah was one of 10 Big 12 defenders on the list, and his inclusion on the initial list in 2022 marks the 11th&nbsp;time in the last 12 years a Wildcat has been up for the award. Most recently, defensive end Wyatt Hubert was a preseason candidate in both 2019 and 2020.

Beebe is also one of 10 players from the Big 12 on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman on either side of the ball. He is the first Wildcat in the running for the award since Dalton Risner was a candidate in 2018.

A junior from Kansas City, Missouri, Anudike-Uzomah was one of the top defensive players in the nation in 2021 as he earned All-America honors from Phil Steele, and he was a First Team All-Big 12 performer by both the league’s coaches and Associated Press in addition being named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. He tied for the national lead in forced fumbles per game (0.46), while he ranked 11th nationally in sacks. His 11.0 total sacks tied for fifth in school history, which included a single-game record tying 4.0 sacks against TCU en route to Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik Award Player of the Week, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Player of the Week and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

MANHATTAN —&nbsp;A pair of Wildcats saw their names on preseason watch lists on Tuesday, as Kansas State defensive end&nbsp;Felix Anudike-Uzomah&nbsp;was one of 85 players named to the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, while offensive lineman&nbsp;Cooper Beebe&nbsp;was named one of 89 players on the Outland Trophy watch list, the Football Writers Association of America announced.It is the first time either player has been named candidates for those respective awards. The Nagurski Trophy is presented to the nation’s most outstanding defensive player by the Charlotte Touchdown Club. Anudike-Uzomah was one of 10 Big 12 defenders on the list, and his inclusion on the initial list in 2022 marks the 11th&nbsp;time in the last 12 years a Wildcat has been up for the award. Most recently, defensive end Wyatt Hubert was a preseason candidate in both 2019 and 2020.Beebe is also one of 10 players from the Big 12 on the watch list for the Outland Trophy, which goes to the nation’s most outstanding interior lineman on either side of the ball. He is the first Wildcat in the running for the award since Dalton Risner was a candidate in 2018.A junior from Kansas City, Missouri, Anudike-Uzomah was one of the top defensive players in the nation in 2021 as he earned All-America honors from Phil Steele, and he was a First Team All-Big 12 performer by both the league’s coaches and Associated Press in addition being named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year by the coaches. He tied for the national lead in forced fumbles per game (0.46), while he ranked 11th nationally in sacks. His 11.0 total sacks tied for fifth in school history, which included a single-game record tying 4.0 sacks against TCU en route to Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week, Bednarik Award Player of the Week, Bronko Nagurski Trophy Player of the Week and Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Two Wildcats named to FWAA watch lists

&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The annual MIAA Football Media Day, presented by Seigfreid Bingham, will be available to watch live for FREE on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/">The&nbsp;</a><a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/">MIAA Network</a>, Tuesday. All 12 MIAA football head coaches and at least two student-athletes from each school will be in attendance along with media from Kansas City and throughout the conference footprint. The event takes place at The Little Theatre inside of historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City. Live coverage of press conferences begin on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.themiaanetwork.com/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;at 9:30 a.m. with opening comments from MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy, including the release of the preseason coaches and media polls. The MIAA Network app is also available on&nbsp;Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Roku. The MIAA Network is available via your computer or mobile device. The complete schedule of appearances and times for each school are listed below. No subscription is required to watch the press conferences with free viewing throughout the entire day. Fans and media are encouraged to participate in the event by tweeting questions at the MIAA with the hashtag #AskMIAA. The Fort Hays State press conference is set for 10:15 am as head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1007">Chris Brown</a>&nbsp;and student-athletes&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6153">Layke Heimerman</a>&nbsp;will be in attendance. 2022 Football Media Day Schedule 9:30 a.m. – MIAA Commissioner, Mike Racy 9:45 a.m. – MIAA Football Supervisor of Officials, Phil Laurie 10:00 a.m. – Northwest Missouri&nbsp;(Rich Wright, Braden Wright, Zach Howard) 10:15 a.m. – Fort Hays State&nbsp;(<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1007">Chris Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6153">Layke Heimerman</a>) 10:30 a.m. – Nebraska Kearney (Josh Lynn, TJ Davis, Darius Swanson) 10:45 a.m. –&nbsp;Break&nbsp; 11:00 a.m. – Central Oklahoma (Adam Dorrel, Daunte McGee, Rae'quan Wicks) 11:15 a.m. – Missouri Southern&nbsp;(Atiba Bradley, Dawson Herl, Richard Jordan) 11:30 a.m. – Northeastern State (JJ Eckert, Isaiah Davis, Blake Corn)&nbsp; 11:45 a.m. –&nbsp;Break 12:00 p.m. – Lincoln&nbsp;(Jermaine Gales, Xzavier Vaughn, Zyan Thomas-King) 12:15 p.m. – Washburn (Craig Schurig, James Letcher Jr., Kevin Neal Jr.)&nbsp; 12:30 p.m. – Emporia State (Garin Higgins, Braden Gleason, Dawon Hammes) 12:45 p.m. –&nbsp;Break 1:00 p.m. – Pittsburg State&nbsp;(Brian Wright, PJ Sarwinski, Kory Woodruff) 1:15 p.m. – Central Missouri&nbsp;(Josh Lamberson, Ty Reynolds, Travis DeGrate) 1:30 p.m. – Missouri Western (Matt Williamson, Cam Grandy, DJ Stirgus)

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658837005610.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>FHSU Athletics&nbsp;KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The annual MIAA Football Media Day, presented by Seigfreid Bingham, will be available to watch live for FREE on&nbsp;<a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/">The&nbsp;</a><a href="https://themiaanetwork.com/">MIAA Network</a>, Tuesday. All 12 MIAA football head coaches and at least two student-athletes from each school will be in attendance along with media from Kansas City and throughout the conference footprint. The event takes place at The Little Theatre inside of historic Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City. Live coverage of press conferences begin on&nbsp;<a href="http://www.themiaanetwork.com/">The MIAA Network</a>&nbsp;at 9:30 a.m. with opening comments from MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy, including the release of the preseason coaches and media polls. The MIAA Network app is also available on&nbsp;Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Roku. The MIAA Network is available via your computer or mobile device. The complete schedule of appearances and times for each school are listed below. No subscription is required to watch the press conferences with free viewing throughout the entire day. Fans and media are encouraged to participate in the event by tweeting questions at the MIAA with the hashtag #AskMIAA. The Fort Hays State press conference is set for 10:15 am as head coach&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1007">Chris Brown</a>&nbsp;and student-athletes&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6153">Layke Heimerman</a>&nbsp;will be in attendance. 2022 Football Media Day Schedule 9:30 a.m. – MIAA Commissioner, Mike Racy 9:45 a.m. – MIAA Football Supervisor of Officials, Phil Laurie 10:00 a.m. – Northwest Missouri&nbsp;(Rich Wright, Braden Wright, Zach Howard) 10:15 a.m. – Fort Hays State&nbsp;(<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/coaches.aspx?rc=1007">Chris Brown</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6146">Chance Fuller</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://fhsuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=6153">Layke Heimerman</a>) 10:30 a.m. – Nebraska Kearney (Josh Lynn, TJ Davis, Darius Swanson) 10:45 a.m. –&nbsp;Break&nbsp; 11:00 a.m. – Central Oklahoma (Adam Dorrel, Daunte McGee, Rae'quan Wicks) 11:15 a.m. – Missouri Southern&nbsp;(Atiba Bradley, Dawson Herl, Richard Jordan) 11:30 a.m. – Northeastern State (JJ Eckert, Isaiah Davis, Blake Corn)&nbsp; 11:45 a.m. –&nbsp;Break 12:00 p.m. – Lincoln&nbsp;(Jermaine Gales, Xzavier Vaughn, Zyan Thomas-King) 12:15 p.m. – Washburn (Craig Schurig, James Letcher Jr., Kevin Neal Jr.)&nbsp; 12:30 p.m. – Emporia State (Garin Higgins, Braden Gleason, Dawon Hammes) 12:45 p.m. –&nbsp;Break 1:00 p.m. – Pittsburg State&nbsp;(Brian Wright, PJ Sarwinski, Kory Woodruff) 1:15 p.m. – Central Missouri&nbsp;(Josh Lamberson, Ty Reynolds, Travis DeGrate) 1:30 p.m. – Missouri Western (Matt Williamson, Cam Grandy, DJ Stirgus)

🏈Watch MIAA football media day free on The MIAA Network

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zack Greinke is getting to the point in his career where it seems as though just about every start brings with it some kind of record, even those that the former Cy Young winner never anticipated seeing.

Like his name climbing the career strikeouts list.

Hardly known for his overpowering stuff, Greinke nevertheless moved into the top 20 on Monday night while combining with four Kansas City Royals relievers to hold the scuffling Los Angeles Angels to five hits in a 7-0 victory.

“It's crazy. I never really thought about any of this stuff, but it's been interesting stuff happening the last couple of starts,” said the 38-year-old Greinke, who is nearing the end of his 19th big league season. “I've never really thought about it.”

Greinke scattered three hits over five innings before giving the ball to Amir Garrett (2-1), who worked around a leadoff double in the sixth. Jose Cuas handled the seventh, Scott Barlow the eighth and Josh Staumont finished off the ninth.

All the support came after Greinke departed: Michael A. Taylor drove in three runs, Emmanuel Rivera drove in a run during a four-run seventh, and MJ Melendez capped the rout with a two-run homer in the eighth.

The Angels’ Noah Syndergaard (5-8) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts.

“Deserved a better fate,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said.

Now, the Royals will go for their first four-game win streak of the season on Tuesday night.

“We're playing better baseball,” Royals manager Mike Matheny admitted. “You see those pieces coming together.”

It started with Greinke on Monday night. He navigated an error by Whit Merrifield in the first, worked around Shohei Ohtani's double in the third and picked off Luis Rengifo for the final out of the fourth. Along the way, Greinke punched out Andrew Velazquez for his 2,856th strikeout, moving him past Jim Bunning and into the top 20 on the career list.

“It's just amazing he's still able to get outs at the big league level the way that he does,” Garrett said. “The game's not going to push him out. When he wants to be done with the game, he'll be done.”

Ohtani's double came moments after he fouled a pitch off his leg and needed several minutes to walk it off.

Syndergaard also dodged trouble through five innings, leaving runners in scoring position in four of them. But the Royals finally caught up to him in the sixth, when Taylor delivered a two-out single to break up a scoreless game.

The Royals added four more runs off Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera, thanks in part to an error and two wild pitches, before Melendez went deep off Austin Warren to put the game out of reach.

“Just kind of one guy after another,” Matheny said. “That was a great effort late.”

The Royals' Nicky Lopez thought he had a leadoff triple in the fifth when Jo Adell failed to catch his fly ball to left field, but the call was overturned upon review and ruled a foul ball. Then in the sixth, the Angels' Jared Walsh tried to reach third on a fielders' choice and was initially ruled safe before a review once again overturned the call.

Angels: CF Mike Trout (rib inflammation), who was eligible to come off the injured list Monday, remained there after his cortisone shot in his back last week. “Progressing like we think. Basically, it’s a lot of rest right now as we manage our way through his IL days,” Nevin said. “It’s more of a day-to-day thing.”

Royals: C Salvador Perez (thumb surgery) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. “He's been going about it pretty hard here for a while,” Matheny said. “Watching everything he's doing, he feels right.” ... INF Bobby Witt Jr. was out of the lineup Monday after tweaking his hamstring over the weekend.

UP NEXT Angles LHP Jose Suarez (1-4, 5.60) ERA) gets the start Tuesday night while the Royals plan to bring back LHP Angel Zerpa (2-0, 1.29) from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to take the mound.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Zack Greinke is getting to the point in his career where it seems as though just about every start brings with it some kind of record, even those that the former Cy Young winner never anticipated seeing.Like his name climbing the career strikeouts list.Hardly known for his overpowering stuff, Greinke nevertheless moved into the top 20 on Monday night while combining with four Kansas City Royals relievers to hold the scuffling Los Angeles Angels to five hits in a 7-0 victory.“It's crazy. I never really thought about any of this stuff, but it's been interesting stuff happening the last couple of starts,” said the 38-year-old Greinke, who is nearing the end of his 19th big league season. “I've never really thought about it.”Greinke scattered three hits over five innings before giving the ball to Amir Garrett (2-1), who worked around a leadoff double in the sixth. Jose Cuas handled the seventh, Scott Barlow the eighth and Josh Staumont finished off the ninth.All the support came after Greinke departed: Michael A. Taylor drove in three runs, Emmanuel Rivera drove in a run during a four-run seventh, and MJ Melendez capped the rout with a two-run homer in the eighth.The Angels’ Noah Syndergaard (5-8) went 5 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits and two walks with six strikeouts.“Deserved a better fate,” Angels interim manager Phil Nevin said.Now, the Royals will go for their first four-game win streak of the season on Tuesday night.“We're playing better baseball,” Royals manager Mike Matheny admitted. “You see those pieces coming together.”It started with Greinke on Monday night. He navigated an error by Whit Merrifield in the first, worked around Shohei Ohtani's double in the third and picked off Luis Rengifo for the final out of the fourth. Along the way, Greinke punched out Andrew Velazquez for his 2,856th strikeout, moving him past Jim Bunning and into the top 20 on the career list.“It's just amazing he's still able to get outs at the big league level the way that he does,” Garrett said. “The game's not going to push him out. When he wants to be done with the game, he'll be done.”Ohtani's double came moments after he fouled a pitch off his leg and needed several minutes to walk it off.Syndergaard also dodged trouble through five innings, leaving runners in scoring position in four of them. But the Royals finally caught up to him in the sixth, when Taylor delivered a two-out single to break up a scoreless game.The Royals added four more runs off Aaron Loup and Ryan Tepera, thanks in part to an error and two wild pitches, before Melendez went deep off Austin Warren to put the game out of reach.“Just kind of one guy after another,” Matheny said. “That was a great effort late.”OVERTURNED AT THIRD (TWICE)The Royals' Nicky Lopez thought he had a leadoff triple in the fifth when Jo Adell failed to catch his fly ball to left field, but the call was overturned upon review and ruled a foul ball. Then in the sixth, the Angels' Jared Walsh tried to reach third on a fielders' choice and was initially ruled safe before a review once again overturned the call.TRAINER'S ROOMAngels: CF Mike Trout (rib inflammation), who was eligible to come off the injured list Monday, remained there after his cortisone shot in his back last week. “Progressing like we think. Basically, it’s a lot of rest right now as we manage our way through his IL days,” Nevin said. “It’s more of a day-to-day thing.”Royals: C Salvador Perez (thumb surgery) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha on Tuesday. “He's been going about it pretty hard here for a while,” Matheny said. “Watching everything he's doing, he feels right.” ... INF Bobby Witt Jr. was out of the lineup Monday after tweaking his hamstring over the weekend.UP NEXT Angles LHP Jose Suarez (1-4, 5.60) ERA) gets the start Tuesday night while the Royals plan to bring back LHP Angel Zerpa (2-0, 1.29) from Double-A Northwest Arkansas to take the mound.

⚾Greinke's sharp stuff helps Royals cruise past Angels 7-0

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Two cornerstones of the Chiefs' four straight AFC title game appearances walked into training camp elsewhere this week, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid will be spending much of the next month figuring out how to replace them.

That task alone could determine whether a fifth consecutive championship game appearance awaits in January.

The biggest departure came when the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for a package of draft picks in January, a move made with an eye both on long-term success and the bottom line but with the immediate effect of depriving Patrick Mahomes of his favorite downfield playmaker since the moment their QB stepped foot in the league.

The other big hole opened up on defense, where Tyrann Mathieu was allowed to leave in free agency, taking not only one of their biggest playmakers on that side of the ball out of the equation but also removing one of the locker room leaders.

“I look at it more of everybody getting on the same page,” Reid said, “and it’s an urgency to that because we know the level that we are capable of performing at. Rather it is coaches and/or players, the ones that have been here or the new ones, I think there is a sense of urgency that makes it the exciting part. Let’s see what we can do.”

The Chiefs and aggressive general manager Brett Veach took a remarkably similar approach to filling the openings at wide receiver and safety, spending lavishly in free agency and the draft earlier in the offseason.

To replace Hill, the Chiefs signed JuJu Smith-Schuster and are hoping for a bounce-back season following some health issues in Pittsburgh; they signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who must be doing something right to go from catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay to Mahomes in Kansas City; and they spent a second-round draft pick on Skyy Moore, who has many of the same characteristics as Hill but has a steep learning curve coming from Western Michigan.

Then there's Mecole Hardman, the lone significant holdover in the wide receiver group, who is heading into a contract year and is bubbling with confidence despite having shown little ability to be a No. 1 player at his position.

“I ain't trying to prove nothing to nobody,” Hardman said Monday, when veterans joined the rookies and quarterbacks in camp. “I know what I'm capable of doing. I'm just going to do that and let the work show for itself."

The first opportunity to do that comes Wednesday, when the full squad works out for the first time at Missouri Western.

That will also be the first chance for safety Justin Reid, signed from the Texans in free agency, and the rest of the rebuilt Kansas City secondary to get on the field in camp. Reid will be joined by two more draft picks, second-rounder Bryan Cook and seventh-rounder Nazeeh Johnson, as the Chiefs move on from Mathieu's tutelage the past three seasons.

“It’s a lot of pressure I put on myself just to learn everything around me,” Cook admitted. “As far as leadership, it’s kind of just something that — not that I fell into, but I love helping other guys around me. That’s where it kind of comes from.”

The Chiefs will take leadership wherever they can get it in the defensive backfield.

The 25-year-old Reid, who is entering his fifth season, is a veteran compared to most of the guys back there. The 22-year-old Cook and 24-year-old Johnson will battle 26-year-old Juan Thornhill for the other safety job, while the top cornerbacks are Rashad Fenton (25), L'Jarius Sneed (25) and rookies Trent McDuffie (21) and Josh Williams (22).

It might take all of them to help fill Mathieu's void on that side of the ball.

“A big thing obviously is just learning the plays, making sure I have everything down,” McDuffie said, "and I think a big thing for me is bonding with the DBs, bonding with the whole defense, so we can all come together. I mean, there are a lot of new moving parts, so we kind of get to establish a new identity, which is going to be a lot of fun these next few weeks.”

Notes: The Chiefs placed WR Justyn Ross (foot surgery) on injured reserve and signed OTs David Steinmetz and Evin Ksiezarczyk. ... Chiefs president Mark Donovan said Monday that renovations to Arrowhead Stadium will begin during the summer of 2025 to prepare the facility for the World Cup the following year. Some lower-level seats will be removed and other adjustments made in the corners to provide the necessary space for the soccer field.

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Two cornerstones of the Chiefs' four straight AFC title game appearances walked into training camp elsewhere this week, and Kansas City coach Andy Reid will be spending much of the next month figuring out how to replace them.That task alone could determine whether a fifth consecutive championship game appearance awaits in January.The biggest departure came when the Chiefs traded Tyreek Hill to the Dolphins for a package of draft picks in January, a move made with an eye both on long-term success and the bottom line but with the immediate effect of depriving Patrick Mahomes of his favorite downfield playmaker since the moment their QB stepped foot in the league.The other big hole opened up on defense, where Tyrann Mathieu was allowed to leave in free agency, taking not only one of their biggest playmakers on that side of the ball out of the equation but also removing one of the locker room leaders.“I look at it more of everybody getting on the same page,” Reid said, “and it’s an urgency to that because we know the level that we are capable of performing at. Rather it is coaches and/or players, the ones that have been here or the new ones, I think there is a sense of urgency that makes it the exciting part. Let’s see what we can do.”The Chiefs and aggressive general manager Brett Veach took a remarkably similar approach to filling the openings at wide receiver and safety, spending lavishly in free agency and the draft earlier in the offseason.To replace Hill, the Chiefs signed JuJu Smith-Schuster and are hoping for a bounce-back season following some health issues in Pittsburgh; they signed Marquez Valdes-Scantling, who must be doing something right to go from catching passes from Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay to Mahomes in Kansas City; and they spent a second-round draft pick on Skyy Moore, who has many of the same characteristics as Hill but has a steep learning curve coming from Western Michigan.Then there's Mecole Hardman, the lone significant holdover in the wide receiver group, who is heading into a contract year and is bubbling with confidence despite having shown little ability to be a No. 1 player at his position.“I ain't trying to prove nothing to nobody,” Hardman said Monday, when veterans joined the rookies and quarterbacks in camp. “I know what I'm capable of doing. I'm just going to do that and let the work show for itself."The first opportunity to do that comes Wednesday, when the full squad works out for the first time at Missouri Western.That will also be the first chance for safety Justin Reid, signed from the Texans in free agency, and the rest of the rebuilt Kansas City secondary to get on the field in camp. Reid will be joined by two more draft picks, second-rounder Bryan Cook and seventh-rounder Nazeeh Johnson, as the Chiefs move on from Mathieu's tutelage the past three seasons.“It’s a lot of pressure I put on myself just to learn everything around me,” Cook admitted. “As far as leadership, it’s kind of just something that — not that I fell into, but I love helping other guys around me. That’s where it kind of comes from.”The Chiefs will take leadership wherever they can get it in the defensive backfield.The 25-year-old Reid, who is entering his fifth season, is a veteran compared to most of the guys back there. The 22-year-old Cook and 24-year-old Johnson will battle 26-year-old Juan Thornhill for the other safety job, while the top cornerbacks are Rashad Fenton (25), L'Jarius Sneed (25) and rookies Trent McDuffie (21) and Josh Williams (22).It might take all of them to help fill Mathieu's void on that side of the ball.“A big thing obviously is just learning the plays, making sure I have everything down,” McDuffie said, "and I think a big thing for me is bonding with the DBs, bonding with the whole defense, so we can all come together. I mean, there are a lot of new moving parts, so we kind of get to establish a new identity, which is going to be a lot of fun these next few weeks.”Notes: The Chiefs placed WR Justyn Ross (foot surgery) on injured reserve and signed OTs David Steinmetz and Evin Ksiezarczyk. ... Chiefs president Mark Donovan said Monday that renovations to Arrowhead Stadium will begin during the summer of 2025 to prepare the facility for the World Cup the following year. Some lower-level seats will be removed and other adjustments made in the corners to provide the necessary space for the soccer field.

🏈Chiefs report to camp without longtime club cornerstones

WICHITA – The Hays Larks have earned an at-large bid into the NBC
World Series which gets underway later this week in Hutchinson. 

WICHITA – The Hays Larks have earned an at-large bid into the NBC
World Series which gets underway later this week in Hutchinson. The Larks will open with the Austin Shockers at 3 p.m. Thursday
afternoon at Hobart-Detter Field in Hutchinson. The first three days of the 88th NBC World Series
will be played in Hutchinson at Hobart-Detter Field.The final week of the tournament, Aug. 1 – Aug. 6 will be
played at Eck Stadium in Wichita.The Larks are in pool C with the Austin Shocker (TX), Lonestar
Kraken (TX) and the Seattle Studs (WA).After Thursday’s first pool play game the Larks are scheduled
to play again Saturday and Monday. The times and matchups will be announced later
this week.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/7/1658755030133.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>&nbsp; You can find a link to the bracket on the&nbsp;<a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/">NBC World Series&nbsp;</a>website or by clicking&nbsp;<a href="https://nbcbaseball.com/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/2022-NBCWS-Schedule.pdf">HERE</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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