Morningside set to open playoffs

Morningside opens the N-A-I-A national playoffs Saturday with a visit to second rated St. Francis of Indiana. The Mustangs enter the playoffs ranked 12th after an 8-2 regular season which tied a school record for wins. Coach Steve Ryan says this season has not been a surprise even though the Mustangs were only 3-7 in 2003. He says they thought it would be a break out year after a good offseason, and they are an experienced ball club. Ryan says how they react to their first playoff game will be a factor. He says he hopes they can come out an play hard and get the game into the fourth quarter.Ryan says the St. Francis defense employs an aggressive style, blitzing on defense, and a wing-T offense that’s different from what his team has seen all year. St. Francis is 10-0.