The 2018 Griffon football team saw a return to Missouri Western’s winning ways. The Griffons finished the regular season 6-5 and accepted an invitation to the Agent Barry Live United Bowl in Texarkana, Arkansas. It was the first postseason trip for the program since advancing to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals in 2012, and they brought home a victory.
In a season filled with many memorable moments, the Griffons survived an extremely challenging start to the season with three-straight ranked opponents through the first three weeks. Missouri Western upset then No. 5-ranked Fort Hays State in week two. Fort Hays State, the defending MIAA champions, went on to share the 2018 conference title with Northwest Missouri State. The season also featured program-snapping skids against Washburn and Emporia State and getting two crucial come-from-behind wins on the road in the team’s final two road games.
Matt Williamson’s second year as head coach saw 16 different players collect a total of 17 All-MIAA awards. Junior offensive lineman Hayden Eatinger was named first team All-MIAA, as was senior returner Brandin Dandridge. Dandridge also collected second-team honors as a defensive back. Junior offensive lineman Shawn Rouse was named first team CoSIDA Academic All-District®.