Sean Paddock, meet Drew Newhart.

Paddock, the senior defensive end at Northwest Missouri State, hopes to become very familiar with Missouri Western’s quarterback today when the two teams meet at Spratt Stadium in a clash between the two top teams in the MIAA.

“If we don’t, it could be a long day,” Paddock said.

The two are the faces of the most prominent units of their respective teams. Paddock last week became Northwest’s all-time sacks leader with 25, pushing his MIAA-leading total to 5 1/2, which in turn propelled the Bearcats to a league-best 24 sacks this season.

But putting Newhart on the ground could prove to be difficult. His offensive line, according to Western coach Jerry Partridge, is as good as any in his coaching tenure in St. Joseph. And Newhart isn’t the inexperienced college quarterback of old.

“He’s not going to be as flustered as early as some of the quarterbacks we’ve played against,” Paddock said. “The younger guys tend to get happy feet early on. The older guys are better about being poised. A quarterback that can do that keeps himself in the game.”

Newhart showed that type of poise on Western’s final drive last Saturday at Pittsburg State, calmly tossing an 18-yard pass under blitz pressure to tight end Kip Peters on a fourth-and-2 play, allowing the Griffons to take a knee for the final two plays of the 45-40 victory.

“It was almost like he yawned when he (passed) it, too,” Partridge said.

Paddock has enjoyed significant playing time for the past three seasons, helping him earn Northwest’s career sacks record.

“A big part of it was that I got an opportunity to contribute early in my career, from my freshman year on,” Paddock said. “We had an amazing defensive line then, too. I was able to get a few snaps and make some plays when I was in. It was just a matter of creating some consistency over the next couple of years, to where now I feel like I’ve been growing, not only as a pass rusher but as a football player all the way around.”

Partridge said Paddock is probably the best defensive player in the MIAA, leading a formidable pass rush.

“That’s a definite concern,” Partridge said of the pass rush. “Eight of those sacks happened against Truman last weekend, so they’re hot with it. They’re going to come after us. They’re going to come after us from all angles.”

Northwest coach Mel Tjeerdsma said it is no accident that Paddock is his team’s sack leader.

“No. 1, he probably plays as hard as anybody we have,” Tjeerdsma said. “You don’t have to watch many snaps to find out the guy plays with a passion, that he gives you everything he has.

“No. 2, he’s extremely coachable,” Tjeerdsma said. “He’s learned a lot from coach (Richard) Wright, technique-wise. Plus, he watches a lot of tape. He’s really worked at it to get to this point.”

Newhart, meanwhile, is in his third season with the Griffons, maturing as a quarterback after an up-and-down sophomore season. The Cameron, Mo., native burst onto the scene in 2007 as a redshirt freshman, a season removed from leading Cameron to the state championship. As a college freshman he earned second-team All-MIAA honors with 21 passing touchdowns and 2,089 yards through the air.

This season, Newhart is leading the nation in passing efficiency (196.36), having completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 1,234 yards and 14 touchdowns. He is averaging 246.8 yards passing per game.

Newhart said the offense must continue to be efficient today.

“(Northwest has) an excellent defense with an unbelievable D-line,” Newhart said. “Paddock leads those guys, and he’s a great football player. We’re going to have to know our assignments and just play football.”

Newhart said he has plenty of confidence in his offensive line, which has kept him upright most of the time this season. He also has confidence in himself.

“I just feel like I know the offense a lot more, so I know which ways to boot, know which way my receivers are going,” Newhart said. “I’m just more comfortable back there, and I’m on the same page with the receivers.”

“Their quarterback is playing at a high level so far,” Northwest defensive coordinator Scott Bostwick said. “He’s played in some big games. This is probably the biggest game he’s played in, ever. We’re going to find out what he’s made of.”

Both Bostwick and Paddock said this game should be won in the trenches, and line play will determine when — or if — the Bearcats will be able to put Newhart on the ground.

“The interior guys getting push is always a huge part of a successful pass rush,” Paddock said. “If they don’t get push, then the quarterback can step up, and then it’s just not very much fun.”

Sports reporter Rick Dunaway can be

reached at rickd@npgco.com