By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Kellen Simoncic's outstanding 2022 football season came to an abrupt end in the ninth game of the year at Northeastern State when the Washburn University quarterback went down with a season-ending injury to his right (throwing) shoulder.
Washburn quarterback Kellen Simoncic (left) draws a chuckle from Ichabod coach Craig Schurig during Tuesday's MIAA Media Day while Simoncic talks about his younger brother, Cody, who plays for Northwest Missouri State. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
"It was kind of a weird game, always playing down there (at Northeastern) is weird,'' Simoncic said. "We were driving and I kind of took off up the middle and tried to run a little bit and a guy hit me on the legs.
"I was always taught to try not to land on the shoulders and kind of roll on your back, but that didn't happen and I landed right on it.''
But after undergoing surgery and going through a lengthy rehabilitation period, the 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is chomping at the bit to return to action for the Ichabods.
"It was probably a couple of months at least to be able to throw,'' said the Smithville, Mo. native, who earned All-MIAA honorable mention a year ago. "We have a great training staff that spent countless hours working with me and I'm very thankful for them.
"But I was able to do spring ball, so that was awesome to get back out there and do 7 on 7.''
In his first season as the Ichabods' starter, Simoncic completed 195 of 312 pass attempts for 2,354 yards and 25 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions.
Simoncic admitted it was tough mentally to deal with his injury, but he said he quickly learned to make the best of his situation.
"It was a case of waiting my turn and then getting on the field and initially I felt bad for myself, but I think the next day it was, 'How do you want to handle it?' and it was kind of a blessing in disguise.
"It changed my life, honestly, for the better, bigger than football. My relationship with God has grown tremendously and diet, sleep, all that kind of stuff. You know it can be taken away from you so I definitely don't take a day for granted.''
Washburn graduated a talented group of seniors from last year's 7-4 team, including star receivers JJ Letcher and Peter Afful, who combined for 114 receptions and 18 touchdowns, but the Ichabods return nine players on offense with starting experience and Simoncic said he is confident that WU is ready for another big year.
"Expectations are the same,'' Simoncic said. "We have so many guys who have waited their turn and a lot of young guys, too, that are very talented. Obviously having Collin Wilson back is big and there's guys like Tyce Brown, Cole Keller, Dylan Gilbert, Ty Garrett, Armani Tookes., just a bunch of guys that you'll see this year that are going to be pretty impressive.
"They've been working hard all summer so I'm excited for them.''
Simoncic will also operate behind a veteran offensive line which returns six starters.
"Those guys are unbelivable up there, I'm very thankful to have them,'' Simoncic said.
Washburn will face a tough test in its opener, going on the road to face defending MIAA champ Pittsburg State on Aug. 31.
