Haskell, Baker to end football seasons today

Baker and Haskell Indian Nations universities will put the wraps on disappointing football seasons today.

Haskell, hoping to halt a five-game losing streak, will conclude against Langston University. Kickoff will be 2 p.m. in Langston, Okla.

Baker needs to defeat William Jewell College to post a .500 record. The Wildcats (4-5) and Cardinals (2-7) will meet at 1:30 p.m. at Liston Stadium in Baldwin.

A sidelight of Baker’s finale will be the battle for the Heart of America Conference rushing championship. Baker tailback Jon Reeves currently leads the league with 1,269 yards, only 12 more than Sherwin Ellis of Lindenwood.

Haskell (2-6) won two of its first three games, but has struggled since beginning Central States Football League play. The Fightin’ Indians hope to climb out of the CSFL basement by knocking off the Lions (2-7).

Haskell running back Chad Murphy has a shot at the CSFL rushing title.

The freshman from Norman, Okla., has gained 782 yards on the ground and trails league leader Noah Swims of Bacone College by less than 100 yards.

Haskell’s Cody Wilson also has an outside shot at the league receiving title. Wilson, a sophomore from Forney, Texas, has 41 catches this season, seven fewer than CSFL leader Scott Beveridge of Peru State.

HINU coach Eric Brock likes the fact both Murphy and Wilson are underclassmen.

“Those guys have played well every game,” Brock said. “You know they’re going to get positive yards for us.”

Haskell’s defense has been solid, too, thanks in large part to junior linebacker Matt Kalfsbeck and freshman defensive back Antonio Hayes.

“We can count on those guys for 10 to 11 tackles a game,” Brock said, “and we can count on Kalfsbeck getting at least one good hit.”