The Morningside football team is two victories away from a national championship. The third rated Mustangs can take another step on Saturday when they visit second ranked St. Francis of Indiana in the NAIA semifinals. Morningside moved to 12-0 on the season with a lopsided victory over Evangel of Missouri in last weekend’s quarterfinal round.

Morningside coach Steve Ryan says his team is feeling very good about the playoffs and the way the season has gone. He says they’re also exited about playing the team that knocked them out of the playoffs last year to see where they are at right now.

The Mustangs lost at St. Francis 53-3 in last year’s opening round but Ryan likes their chances much better this time. He says they probably have a much better football team and the team has grown. Ryan says they felt like they limped into the playoffs last year, but this year feel good about the way they’re playing right now. Top ranked Carroll of Montana hosts fourth ranked Sioux Falls in the other semifinal.