Courtesy of a blockbuster deal between its new conference and a major Kansas City media group, the William Penn football program will be seen nationally on at least two occasions this coming fall.

The Heart of America Athletic Conference, headed by commissioner Lori Thomas, and Niles Media Group have signed an agreement to produce a 13-game schedule.  The games will be carried live in the Kansas City area (headquarters of the HAAC and NAIA) on KSMO-TV as well as on ESPN3 with a consistent kickoff time of 11 a.m. All 12 HAAC teams will appear on the schedule at least once with 11 of them having home games.

The Statesmen will debut on October 17 with a road game at Peru State in Peru, Neb.  The navy and gold will then get the opportunity to showcase their home stadium when they host Benedictine (Kan.) on October 31.

The final week (November 14) is currently left open to provide the opportunity to highlight a game with championship or playoff implications.  One doubleheader is set for September 5 with a game at 11 a.m. and another at 2:30 p.m.

For the full schedule and quotes, check out the story on statesmenathletics.com, or click the link to the story on the Mahaska Zone Network Facebook page.