THE RIGHT STUFF

Having played in the national championship game four consecutive years, it comes as no surprise that the Northwest Missouri State football team is already getting picked as one of the top programs of 2009.

What might be shocking is the fact at least one magazine has two of the Bearcats receiving preseason player of the year honors.

Lindy's Football magazine has Northwest ranked first in Division II. It also has running back LaRon Council and safety Myles Burnsides as offensive and defensive players of the year respectively. It would be a repeat for Burnsides who earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2008.

Based on their numbers from 2008, it's no surprise both Burnsides and Council are expected to be two of the best players in the nation this year.

Burnsides had 71 tackels (43 unassisted), six interceptions (171 yards), five pass breakups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick.

Council's numbers are no less impressive. Council rushed for 1,739 yards, 35 touchdowns and averaged 115.9 yards per game. He also had 214 yards and another touchdown receiving.
Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said he's glad his players are getting recognition, but a preseason honor doesn't coincide with entitlement.

"Preseason honors ... they're great, they're good publicity," Tjeerdsma said. "But what it really boils down to is that's what they're for is preseason publicity.

"You still have to earn those things on the field."

With the preseason acclaim comes a measure of celebrity. Burnsides and Council, based on talent alone, are now the figureheads of Northwest football. The fortunate thing is their teammates chose them to be in that position.

Burnsides and Council were both elected as team captains this season.

That's because they have earned respect by doing things the right way on and off the field. Most coaches would be hard pressed to find better representatives.

"They've really earned what they've got," Tjeerdsma said. "Because they've both worked so hard.
They both have great work ethic. They really do the work, not just in practice, but watching film, their preparation, the whole thing."

The similarities between Council and Burnsides don't end there. They were both kind of diamonds in the rough in their own rights. Both are a little undersized for their position.

Burnsides is from Maryville and grew up watching the Bearcats. Finding a future player of the year in his own back yard might be a once-in-a-lifetime event for Tjeerdsma.

Council was a highly touted prospect but was overshadowed by phenom Xavier Omon and was plagued by injuries.

"Both of them we knew were going to be good football players," Tjeerdsma said. "But both of them, I really would say, have exceeded our expectations just because of the fact that they really are so committed and have done such a great job at getting the most out of themselves."

Council not only lived up to Omon's numbers after stepping out of his shadow, but exceeded them. This impressive feat is made almost heroic by the fact Council has done all of this after having his leg shattered in two places against the University of Central Missouri during the 2006 season.

"To be able to come back from what he's gone through it pretty phenomenal," Tjeerdsma said. "And not just to come back, but to play at the level he's played at and have the kind of year he had last year is really special."

Something else that's helping these two get so much respect is simply the success of the Bearcats. With four-straight national championship runs, Burnsides, Council and the rest of the Bearcats have enjoyed a national exposure rare to most Division II programs.

"It says a little bit about our program and the respect that we've gained nationally and the fact that we've been in the championship game now a number of years in a row," Tjeerdsma said. "That makes a difference too. People see these guys. They get some national exposure, but they're still going to have to earn those things when the season starts."

They'll need their teammates' help to remain successful. In their bid to be named players of the year, their fate is intrinsically linked to the fate of the team. Tjeerdsma said Council and Burnsides have plenty of support around them.

"I think this is another really good senior class," Tjeerdsma said. "I think the leadership they've provided so far this spring and this summer has really been good."

Tjeerdsma's not the only one who's seen it. That's why the Bearcats as a team are once again at the top of the polls despite losing a talented senior class.

There's also the fact that year after year the Northwest coaching staff keeps finding a way to keep the Bearcats on top.
"I think there's a lot of respect out there," Tjeerdsma said. "I think people understand just how hard our coaches work and what they do. The preparation they have is really outstanding, and the fact that we've been together for so long.

"All that's a special tie."