Henderson State will play host to Emporia State in the second round of the NCAA Division II Football Playoffs, Saturday, with kickoff set for 1 p.m.
 
The Reddies recorded their first-ever NCAA playoff win with a 23-16 victory over Sioux Falls last weekend and have won 10 straight games to improve to 11-1 on the season. 

Henderson State is the first team as members of the Great American Conference to record a playoff win. The conference was winless in five tries prior to last week's win by the Reddies. 
 
Henderson has been superb defensively all season allowing opponents to score just 14.8 points per game which ranks third nationally.
 
The Reddies surrendered 422 yards to Sioux Falls last week, however the Cougars were only able to reach pay dirt once.
 
Henderson will have to contain Harlon Hill candidate quarterback Brent Wilson.
 
Opponents have totaled just nine touchdowns passing this season. Henderson allows 189.2 yards passing per game and has recorded a national-leading 27 interceptions.
Thirteen different Reddies have recorded interceptions this season led by Gary Vines, Tavares Garner and Darius Thomas with four picks each.
 
Linebackers Josh Davis and Lawson Schulz lead the Reddie defense with Davis having 94 tackles along with a team-best 12.5 tackles for lost yardage. The junior from El Dorado, Ark. also had a team-best 11 tackles last weekend against Sioux Falls.
Schulz has totaled 90 tackles after 10 stops a week ago. The junior from Atlanta, Texas has 9.0 tackles for lost yardage as well as seven pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.
 
Henderson's offense averages just 372.5 yards per contest which ranks 10th in the
GAC.

Dallas Hardison did not have a huge passing day last week, but moved the Reddies down the field when it counted. The junior from Bentonville has completed 199-of-324 passes for 2213 yards for a 61.5 percentage. Hardison's passing yardage this season ranks eighth in HSU history.
 
Jaquan Cole went over the 1,000 yard mark last week having 144 yards to run his total to 1119 yards on 204 carries.  
Seven Reddie receivers have 100 or more yards this season led by JaVante Mack who has totaled 44 receptions for 481 yards and four touchdowns.
 
Corey Chappell follows with 408 yards on 26 receptions.      
             
Emporia State is ranked 18th nationally and enters the game with a 10-2 record following a thrilling 51-49 win over Minnesota State-Mankato in the opening round of the playoffs last week.
 
The Hornets average 36.9 points and 329.6 yards passing per game.
 
Quarterback Brent Wilson was named the Offensive Player of the Year in the MIAA. The senior from Ponca City, Okla. is ranked second among active players in NCAA Division II in passing yards per attempt, fourth in completion percentage, fifth passing efficiency, seventh in touchdown passes, and eighth in total offense per play. Wilson has completed 308-of-470 passes for 3,420 yards and 39 touchdowns. Last week against MSU-Mankato, Wilson completed 27-of-48 passes for a season-best 437 yards and five touchdowns
 
Kavaski Ervin was a second-team All-MIAA performer at wide receiver despite leading the MIAA in receiving yards, receptions and ranking second in touchdown catches. Ervin has 1101 yards on 75 receptions and 11 touchdowns. Last week Ervin had 6 catches for 139 yards and three touchdowns.
 
Mitchell Foote is also a prime target and is a first-team All-MIAA pick. Foote leads the MIAA in touchdown catches with 12 and has compiled 837 yards on 75 receptions.
 
Antonio Brown leads the ESU ground game having 586 yards on 153 carries.
Defensively, the Hornets have totaled 34.0 sacks and 88.0 tackles for loss.


Josh Monteaqudo leads the team with 93 tackles along with 8.0 tackles loss. Monteaqudo also has four pass breakups.        


Linebacker Jason Tetuan was an honorable mention All-MIAA pick after having 81 total tackles and a team best 14.5 tackles for loss.
 
Also a big performer on defense is Kole Schankie who has 92 tackles which includes 13.0 tackles for loss and four sacks.
 
All tickets are for general admission seating and are $7 for adults, $5 for students from participating institutions with valid school identification and $5 for children K through 12.

HSU students will be able to receive free entry to the game upon showing a valid HSU ID courtesy of Henderson State University. HSU students must enter through the student gate, in the south west corner of the stadium, to receive free entry. 

In accordance with NCAA policy, no Arkansas Activities Association, Great American Conference and HSU lifetime passes will be accepted.

Gates will open and ticket sales will begin at 11 a.m. for Saturday's game.
 
The game will be broadcast and available on the following affiliates of the Henderson State Sports Network, beginning one hour prior to kickoff, with RJ Hawk (@RJHawk) providing the play-by-play,  Chris Kane (@KATVChris) providing color commentary and Athletics Media Relations GA Hunter Lively(@HLively_) on the sidelines.

Arkadelphia KDEL 100.9 FM
Hot Springs & Malvern 100.7 FM / 1310 AM
Little Rock 920 AM
 
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STREAMING VIDEO (Click Here)