RFC Summer Semester: Heart Of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) Preview (NAIA)

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2012 Final Standings

Looking back: Showing off its prowess as one of the strongest NAIA conferences in the nation, the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) had five teams finish nationally ranked at the end of the 2012 season.  The league was led by Missouri Valley (12-1 overall in 2012), with the Vikings finished unbeaten in conference play at 9-0.  They advanced to the national semifinals of the NAIA playoffs, where they lost to eventual national champion Marian, 20-17.

Two other HAAC squads advanced to the NAIA playoffs as well, but neither team got far.  Mid-America Nazarene fell in the first round to Cumberlands (Ky.), 42-24, while Baker fell to St. Francis (Ind.), 22-17, also in round one.


Looking ahead: Expect another wide open race in the HAAC for 2013, with Missouri Valley coming in as the team to beat.

Predicted order of finish (2012 overall record in parentheses)

1. Missouri Valley (12-1):  The Vikings go into 2013 hoping for a happier ending than 2012.  With more than a dozen seniors taking the field, don't be surprised if they do make another deep playoff run.

2. Mid-America Nazarene (8-3):  Head Coach Jonathan Quinn has compiled a 40-8 record in four seasons at the Pioneer helm. He'll look to continue that run in 2013.

3. Baker (8-3):  Wildcats hope to make it back-to-back playoff trips in 2013.

4. Benedictine (Kan.)--(7-4):  With 229 career wins under his belt, Head Coach Larry Wilcox will begin his 35th season at the Ravens helm this fall.

5. Evangel (7-4):  The Crusaders appeared to be in prime position to clinch their first playoff appearance since 2005.  That was, until back-to-back losses to end the 2012 season dashed those hopes for postseason play.  Now, they'll go into 2013 hoping to finally land that elusive playoff berth.

6. Graceland (5-6):  The Yellow Jackets posted their best finish since 2007, when they finished 6-4.  Now they hope to take that next step, and finish in the upper half of the HAAC standings in 2013.

7. Peru State (5-6):  Despite going 3-6 in HAAC action last season, a season-ending win in overtime over Avila gives the Bobcat faithful a glimmer of hope going into 2013.

8. Culver-Stockton (3-8):  After winning just two games combined in 2010 and 2011, respectively, the Wildcats grabbed three wins in all of 2012, although two of those wins came via forfeit.  They'll go into 2013 looking for more.

9. Avila (1-10):  Eagles face a long, uphill battle after a disappointing 2012 season.

10. Central Methodist (0-10):  Winless Eagles from Fayette, Missouri also find themselves in that same situation.

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