Don’t include Haskell Indian Nation University’s Eric Brock among football coaches who worry about the distractions of homecoming.

“I see it as a positive,” Brock said. “As much hype and as many people as we can put in the stands, the better it is.”

Kickoff for HINU homecoming will be 2 p.m. today at Haskell Stadium.

The foe is Avila College, a team with the same record as HINU (1-5), but a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference, a league generally regarded as top-tier in the NAIA.

In fact, Haskell has played only one other HAAC school since joining the NAIA six years ago, and it was a forgettable experience. The Indians traveled to Fayette, Mo., in 2000 and were on the wrong side of a 61-0 loss to Central Methodist.

After dropping out of the Central States Football League following the 2005 season and deciding to operate as an independent, Haskell has more opportunities now to play HAAC teams, and Brock says bring ’em on.

“Sure, that would be great,” Brock said. “I think we can compete with the (HAAC) teams around here.”

That includes Baker University, located less than 20 miles away in Baldwin.

“We talked about playing Baker,” Brock said, “but we just couldn’t get our dates together.”

Geography has become a primary ingredient in Brock’s scheduling philosophy and was the main reason for adding Kansas City, Mo.-based Avila.

“It’s close by,” Brock said. “When we return the game next year, it will be only a half-hour trip. That’s the main reason we scheduled St. Mary, too.”

St. Mary, located in Leavenworth, is a member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.

Avila is coming off back-to-back thumpings by league foes Missouri Valley (34-0) and MidAmerica Nazarene (35-6). The Eagles’ lone victory was a 19-3 decision over Central Methodist.

Avila boasts the NAIA’s leading receiver in Doug Wendell, a sophomore out of Blue Valley West who has caught 45 passes for 500 yards and five TDs.

Haskell counters with a pair of offensive weapons in running back Bubba Wills and wide receiver Hunter Smith. Wills ranks No. 3 on this week’s NAIA rushing chart with 765 yards. Smith is No. 6 in receiving with 36 catches for 534 yards.

Today’s game is the last of three straight at home for the Indians. The next three contests will be on the road.