WAVERLY - Kyle Goodchild and Ryan Hoerner waited four years to see its school's name appear on the television screen.

But when ESPN News released the 32-team pairings Sunday afternoon for the NCAA Division III football playoffs, Goodchild, Hoerner and many other Wartburg players were left in the dark.

"We have Mediacom and sometimes it streams ESPN News (on Channel 22) and sometimes it doesn't," Hoerner said. "We were hoping it would then, but it was showing the Class 3A state championship from last year.

"We had to call our parents and find out that way. It was kind of hectic."

Quarterback Nick Yordi was one of the few fortunate ones.

"Luckily, we have an extended package so we could watch it," he said. "I don't know what I would have done. I was going crazy just waiting."

Wartburg, in the postseason for the first time since 2004, is the seventh seed in the West Region and will travel to 13th-ranked University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point for Saturday's first round. Kickoff is slated for noon at Community Stadium.

"Personally, I'm relieved we're not going to be on an airplane flying to the first game," head coach Rick Willis said. "Logistically, it will make our week more normal here."

After clinching the Iowa Conference's automatic bid a week ago with an overtime win over Dubuque, Wartburg (8-2) sat back and waited eight days to see where it would be sent.

The possibilities were endless.

Some thought the Knights would be shipped to the West Coast to play Williamette (Salem, Ore.) or Occidental (Calif.). Others predicted a trip to defending national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater or second-ranked North Central (Naperville, Ill.). Midwest Conference champion Monmouth (Ill.) was also a possibility.

"A lot of guys thought it would be cool to go to California and play in warmer weather," Yordi said.

However, the Division III committee puts a high priority on limiting travel. Once Redlands (Calif.) lost its season finale Saturday and was eliminated from at-large contention, it left Williamette and Occidental as the only West Coast teams.

It turned out to be a favorable draw for the Knights. If it can get past UW-Stevens Point, it would either travel to third-seeded Monmouth or host eighth-seeded Aurora (Ill.) in the second round.

"It's nice we're somewhat close to home where we can have more of a fan base than if we were going out there," said Hoerner, a senior tight end.

The Pointers (9-1) earned the automatic berth by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. It will be the school's first playoff appearance since 2001.

UW-Stevens Point has won six games this season by three points or less, including four by a point.

"It's a great league," Willis said. "Typically, it is big and physical football teams. Looking at Stevens Point, it seems they've got good size.

"We know and expect Stevens Point to be an outstanding football team. We're excited for the opportunity to be part of the playoffs and have a chance to play in a game like this."

Wartburg has won five straight since a mid-season loss at Buena Vista. The Knights are looking for their first playoff win in five seasons.

"For us 22 seniors, we're on a one-game basis right now," Hoerner said. "Every game we play could be our last. It's exciting to go into a playoff atmosphere and say, 'This could be our last time, so let's make it count.' "We'll be ready to play."

Contact Matt Coss at (319) 291-1468 or matt.coss@wcfcourier.com