KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Washburn football team earned an Ichabod MIAA-high 18 selections to the all-conference football that was released today by the MIAA office. The Ichabods were honored with the special teams player of the year, six first-team selections, two second-team picks, three third-team selections and six additional players voted to the honorable mention all-MIAA squad. The Ichabods open up the NCAA postseason on Saturday against No. 3-ranked Harding in Searcy, Ark. The six first-team selections tie for the most top picks with the 2005 Ichabod squad and the total 18 all-MIAA selections is the most in program history and the most since the 2011 team had 16 honorees.
Senior James Letcher, Jr. was named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year as well as earning first-team honors at wide receiver and first-team accolades at kick/punt returner. He's the first Ichabod to be named the MIAA Special Teams Player of the Year since placekicker Steve Ivanisevic was following the 2010 season. Letcher is second in the league averaging 27.24 per kickoff return and ranks third in the league in punt returns averaging 9.7 yards per return. As a receiver he is third in the league with 5.8 receptions per game and his 77.4 receiving yards per game is third and he is also second in touchdown receptions. He also is second in the MIAA in all-purpose yards with 150.7 per game.
Senior Mitch Schurig was a first-team all-MIAA selection at quarterback. He is fourth in the MIAA in passing yards per game (237.3) and third in the league in touchdown passes (24) and sixth in the MIAA in total offense (227.4) per game. Schurig is also ranked third in passing efficiency (169.7), fourth in completions (180), third in passing yards per attempt (9.1) and second in completion percentage (68.1).
Senior offensive lineman Colton Dunkle was a first-team selection after helping the Ichabods to the third-best scoring offense in the league.
Senior defensive end Malick Fall earned first-team honors after leading the MIAA in sacks with 11 – one shy of the Ichabod single-season record of 12 set in 1984. He also finished fifth in the MIAA in fumbles recovered and had three sacks in two different games against Lincoln and Northwest Missouri this season. He has 37 total tackles this season and 13.5 tackles for loss.
Senior defensive back Marquise Manning was a first-team selection after leading the MIAA in passes defended (12) with nine back-ups and three interceptions, which tied for fourth in the league. Manning has 26 tackles with 22 solo stops.
Senior Jace Williams was a second-team all-MIAA selection at tight end after finished 10th in the MIAA with six touchdown receptions. He finished the regular season with 32 receptions for 480 yards averaging 15 yard per catch.
Junior defensive tackle Landen Urban was a second team all-MIAA pick after finishing fourth in the regular season in the conference rankings with six sacks. Urban has 10 tackles for loss for 53 yards adding a forced fumble.
Earning third-team all-MIAA honors is sophomore Bergan Hofer on the offensive line. He has helped the Ichabods to the third-best scoring offense in the league.
Junior Braden Rose was named a third-team all-MIAA pick as a defensive lineman. He finished 16th in the MIAA in sacks and he has 32 total tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss for 24 yards and also had a 75-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown at Central Oklahoma.
Senior Brooks Peavler was named third-team defensive at linebacker. He ranks 29th in the MIAA in tackles with 5.36 per game and he is second on the Ichabods with 59 total tackles adding four tackles for loss and an interception.
Sophomore Taylon Peters was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection at running back leading the Ichabods with 694 yards rushing on 133 carries scoring four touchdowns. He also had 26 receptions, which is third on the Ichabods for 232 yards and one touchdown. He is seventh in the MIAA in rushing yards per game at 63.9.
Freshman Peter Afful was an honorable mention all-MIAA pick at wide receiver. So far this season he has 25 catches for 507 yards and eight touchdowns with an average reception of 20.3 yards per catch. He is tied for third in the MIAA in touchdown receptions with eight and second in the MIAA in yards per catch.
Sophomore Andrew Funk was an honorable mention selection on the offensive line. He has helped the Ichabods to the third-best scoring offense in the league.
Junior Kevin Neal, Jr. was an honorable mention all-MIAA selection at defensive back after finishing the regular season 34th in the MIAA in tackles. He is third on the ichabods with 49 total tackles and has one interception and a forced fumble.
Senior Lane Spiker earned honorable mention honors at punter. His 38.5 yards per punt is fifth in the MIAA. He has placed 12 punts inside the 20 and had four punts for more than 50 yards.
2021 All-MIAA Postseason Awards
Offensive Player of the Year – TJ Davis, Quarterback – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Player of the Year – Sam Roberts, Defensive End – Northwest Missouri
Special Teams Player of the Year – James Letcher, Jr., Kick/Punt Returner - Washburn
Freshman of the Year – Brandon Hall, Running Back – Missouri Western
Coach of the Year – Josh Lynn – Nebraska Kearney
First-Team
Quarterback – TJ Davis – Nebraska Kearney
Quarterback – Mitchell Schurig - Washburn
Running Back – Al McKeller – Northwest Missouri
Wide Receiver – Cameron Saunders – Central Missouri
Wide Receiver – James Letcher, Jr. - Washburn
Tight End – Hunter Budke – Fort Hays State
All-Purpose Back – Adrian Soto – Fort Hays State
All-Purpose Back – Dayton Seally – Nebraska Kearney
Offensive Line – Amari Angram-Boldin – Fort Hays State
Offensive Line – Corey Hoelck – Nebraska Kearney
Offensive Line – Tanner Owen – Northwest Missouri
Offensive Line – Trase Jeffries – Pittsburg State
Offensive Line – Colton Dunkle - Washburn
Kicker – Cross Holmes – Pittsburg State
Kick/Punter Returner – James Letcher, Jr. - Washburn
Defensive Line – Chima Dunga – Central Missouri
Defensive Line – Michael Slater – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Line – Sam Roberts – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Line – Zach Howard – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Line – Malick Fall - Washburn
Linebacker – Jace McDown – Emporia State
Linebacker – Jackson Barnes – Northwest Missouri
Linebacker – P.J. Sarwinski – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Darius Swanson – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Back – Cahleel Smith – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Back – Dallis Flowers – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Marquise Manning - Washburn
Punter – Ross Brungardt – Emporia State
[Reflects ties in voting]
Second-Team
Quarterback – Logan Twehous – Central Missouri
Quarterback – Chance Fuller – Fort Hays State
Running Back – Canaan Brooks – Emporia State
Wide Receiver – Alec Tatum – Northwest Missouri
Wide Receiver - Jalen Martin – Pittsburg State
Tight End – Jace Williams - Washburn
All-Purpose Back – Dalton Cowan – Emporia State
Offensive Line – Dan Sunderman – Central Missouri
Offensive Line – Seth Carmack – Central Oklahoma
Offensive Line – Connor Lierz – Emporia State
Offensive Line – Kooper Reece – Nebraska Kearney
Offensive Line – Gabe Bautz – Northwest Missouri
Kicker – Sam Dobbins – Emporia State
Kick/Punter Returner – Dallis Flowers – Pittsburg State
Defensive Line – Marek Thompson – Emporia State
Defensive Line – Jordan Williams – Emporia State
Defensive Line – Tell Spies – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Line – Kaden Roy – Pittsburg State
Defensive Line – Zeke Wall – Pittsburg State
Defensive Line – Landen Urban - Washburn
Linebacker – Richard Jordan, Jr. – Missouri Southern
Linebacker – Evan Chohon – Missouri Western
Linebacker – Atoatasi Fox – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Back – Codie Bell – Central Missouri
Defensive Back – Dylan Buccheit – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Back – Jordan Starks – Fort Hays State
Defensive Back – Jhimon Preston – Fort Hays State
Defensive Back – Sam Webb – Missouri Western
Defensive Back – Kobe Cummings – Missouri Western
Punter – Hunter Kraus – Nebraska Kearney
[Reflects ties in voting]
Third-Team
Quarterback – Braden Gleason – Emporia State
Quarterback – Mike Hohensee – Northwest Missouri
Running Back – Montrez Jackson – Nebraska Kearney
Wide Receiver – Manny Ramsey – Fort Hays State
Wide Receiver - Brian Boyd, Jr. – Missouri Southern
Tight End – Daunte McGee – Central Oklahoma
All-Purpose Back – Tori Hicks - Lincoln
Offensive Line – Hayden Reed – Emporia State
Offensive Line – Kristopher Stroughter – Fort Hays State
Offensive Line – Evan Clark – Missouri Western
Offensive Line – Mitch Goff – Northwest Missouri
Offensive Line – Riley Teutsch – Pittsburg State
Offensive Line – Bergan Hofer - Washburn
Kicker – Nick Williams – Missouri Southern
Kick/Punter Returner – Billy Ross – Emporia State
Defensive Line – Noah West – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Line – Solomona Fetuao – Missouri Southern
Defensive Line – Brandon Johnson – Missouri Western
Defensive Line – C.J. Ravenell – Missouri Western
Defensive Line – Blake Schroeder – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Line – Braden Rose – Washburn
Linebacker – Zach Schlager – Nebraska Kearney
Linebacker – Sam Phillips – Northwest Missouri
Linebacker – Brooks Peavler - Washburn
Defensive Back – Jaedon Pool – Emporia State
Defensive Back – Dylan Bolden – Missouri Southern
Defensive Back – Isaiah Nimmers – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Back – Jordan Hendy – Pittsburg State
Punter – Tim Davis – Northeastern State
[Reflects ties in voting]
Honorable Mentions
Central Missouri – Arkell Smith – WR; Kyle Linville – OL; Deven Smith – LB
Central Oklahoma – Keats Calhoon – QB; Joshua Moore – WR; Markiese King – WR; Derrick
Shaw – DL; Elijah Wright – LB
Emporia State – Xavier Cason – OL; Rafe Goucher – DL; Dawson Hammes – LB; Cade Harelson –
LB
Fort Hays State – Pat Kelly – OL; Myles Menges – LB; Ethan Sossen - P
Lincoln – Hosea Franklin – RB; Cyril Spells – OL; TeAndre Skinner – LB; Jaylon Mosley – LB; Zyan
Thomas-King – DB; Elliott Albert – DB; Winston Ausmer – K/P Ret.
Missouri Southern – Keandre Bledsoe – TE/FB; Labrentae Davis – OL; Nick Kruse – DL; Malachi
Broadnax – DB; Nick Williams - P
Missouri Western – Brandon Hall – RB; Cooper Burton – WR
Nebraska Kearney – Michael Koch – WR; Hunter Hayes – OL; Matt Krzysztalowicz – OL; Jacy
Nutter – LB; Travis Holcomb – LB
Northeastern State – Mark Wheeland – WR; Madison Wrather – OL; Damani Carter – DL;
Triumphant Olatunji – DB
Northwest Missouri – Kaden Davis – WR; Imoni Donadelle – WR; Brody Buck – LB; Dedrick
Strambler – DB
Pittsburg State – Tyler Adkins – RB; Caleb Lewis – RB; Elijah Harris – WR; Kaizer Newell – TE/FB;
Kory Woodruff – OL; Luke Jennings – LB; Brandon Mlekus – DB
Washburn – Taylon Peters – RB; Peter Afful – WR; Andrew Funk – OL; Peyton Lane – DB; Kevin Neal – DB; Lane Spiker – P
