Without the MIAA’s top receiver, Cedric Houston, last week, Missouri Western quarterback Drew Newhart turned to Zach Sharp.

Now, in a surprising turn of events, Sharp is the conference’s leading receiver after a 12-catch, 120-yard performance against Washburn, finishing one reception shy of the school record.

The senior from Mound City, Mo., entered the season as Western’s No. 4 option — along with Anthony Anderson — behind Houston, Andrew Mead and Ferrell McGhee. But he steadily has emerged as a reliable possession receiver in the slot, and with Houston hurt last Saturday, Sharp filled in nicely.

“He is one of those guys who finds the soft spot in the underbelly of the defense and makes plays,” Western coach Jerry Partridge said. “He catches the ball well and runs with it after he catches it. He has had a great season, kind of out of nowhere.”

Sharp has battled injuries in his previous three seasons at Western and had 16 career receptions heading into 2008. But with 25 catches already this season, Sharp has become yet another threat in Western’s passing game.

“I didn’t expect it. If you work hard enough, good things will come,” Sharp said. “It was a cool experience to be able to be out there and have that happen, especially on a day when Cedric is hurt, and we’re not sure how the offense is going to be.”

A new wrinkle

Western ran a shovel pass four times against Washburn for 39 yards and a touchdown — using three running backs in the process. It was the first time this season the Griffons utilized the play.

“It’s always there. We’ve got in our offense,” Partridge said. “Our offense does it to (defensive end) Soane (Etu) a lot (in practice). It really worked well.”

Translation: last Saturday won’t be the last time defenses see it.

Tackling injury dilemma

With sophomore Corey Halderman likely out for the season, the Griffons are weighing their options at right tackle.

Sophomore Jeff Brock played some at the position last Saturday after Halderman left the game with an apparent torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Western will consider moving center Nathan Martin out to tackle — where he played last year — and switching Brock to center. Left guard Todd Shelton could move to right tackle as well, while backup Josh Clausen plays guard.

Partridge said he will leave the decision to offensive line coach Jay Eilers, who will evaluate Fort Hays this week before settling on a solution. However, apparently Western has a third option as well.

“We take (Halderman) to a miracle evangelist and get him healed,” Partridge said.

Injury report

Houston, who didn’t play Saturday with an ankle injury, is “highly probable” for this Saturday against Fort Hays, according to Partridge. Running back Zach Walker, who suffered a thigh bruise against Washburn and rushed just twice, is questionable for Saturday.

Soccer struggles with offense

The Western soccer team (1-7-2, 0-6 MIAA) hasn’t scored in four games and has just one goal this month — a span of eight contests.

The Griffons did draw Northwest Missouri State last Thursday in Maryville, showing Western’s defensive progress. But with Truman State, Central Missouri and Southwest Baptist coming up on the schedule — a group that has just two losses this season — finding goals isn’t going to get any easier.

“Offense is the hardest thing to create. You can create defense,” coach Jeff Hansen said. “It’s easier to teach a team to defend than score four goals in a game.”

Hansen said he might switch to a three-forward formation this week to break the goal drought.

Taking a break from the MIAA

Western volleyball’s foray into the conference portion of its schedule started with a six-game losing streak, including loses to three ranked teams.

This weekend will provide a break for the Griffons (3-15, 0-6 MIAA), who head to Topeka, Kan., for the Washburn Regional Crossover.

“We have put the emphasis on doing well conference-wise. Right now we’re sitting at zero to six,” coach Tiffany Mastin said. “It’s nice to step away and play some other opponents who are not to the level of some MIAA teams.

“I’m not saying these four teams are going to be easy, but they’re not going to be the level of Emporia, Pitt or Washburn.”

Quotable

“Stats are for losers. Winners don’t care what the yardage is.”

— Partridge on his team’s statistical dominance of Washburn on Saturday