By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Sixteen members of Washburn University's NCAA playoff-bound football team earned All-MIAA honors Tuesday, led by conference special teams player of the year James Letcher Jr., who was a first-team pick at two positions.
Letcher, a senior, was named a first-teamer as kick/punt returner and receiver in addition to earning the special teams player of the year award for his return prowess.
Washburn senior James Letcher Jr. was named the MIAA special teams player of the year and made the all-conference team at two positions. [File photo/TSN]
Also earning first-team All-MIAA honors for the 9-2 Ichabods were quarterback Mitch Schurig, offensive lineman Colton Dunkle, defensive lineman Malick Fall and defensive back Marquise Manning.
Earning second-team honors for the Ichabods were tight end Jace Williams and defensive lineman Landen Urban while offensive linemen Bergan Hofer, defensive lineman Braden Rose and linebacker Brooks Peavler, a Hayden product, earned sports on the third team.
Receiving honorable mention for the Ichabods were running back Taylon Peters, receiver Peter Afful, offensive lineman Andrew Funk, defensive backs Peyton Lane and Kevin Neal Jr. and punter Lane Spiker.
Former Shawnee County standouts Dalton Cowan, Dawson Hammes and Corey Thomas received All-MIAA recognition for Emporia State.
Cowan, a Seaman product, was named to the second team as the all-purpose pick while linebacker Dawson Hammes (Rossville) and receiver Corey Thomas (Topeka High) received honorable mention.
Nebraska-Kearney’s TJ Davis was voted the conference offensive player of the year, Northwest Missouri’s Sam Roberts was named the defensive player of the year and Missouri Western’s Brandon Hall earned the league’s freshman of the year honor.
Nebraska-Kearney coach John Lynn was voted the MIAA coach of the year.
Letcher averaged 27.2 yards on kickoff returns yards to rank second in the MIAA and 9.71 yards on punt returns, which ranked fourth. Letcher also recorded the second-longest kickoff return in the league this season with a 90-yard return for a touchdown against Central Oklahoma on Oct. 23.
Washburn will open its NCAA Division II playoff bid at Harding on Saturday.
ALL-MIAA FOOTBALL
FIRST TEAM
Offense
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 Sealey – 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
Defense
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]
*Unanimous Selection
SECOND TEAM
Offense
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 (Seaman)
Offensive Line – Dan Sunderman – Central Missouri
Offensive Line – Seth Carmack – Central Oklahoma
Offensive Line – Conner 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
Defense
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
THIRD TEAM
Offense
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
Defense
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
Honorable mention
Central Missouri – Arkell Smith – WR; Kyle Linville – OL; Deven Smith – LB; Koby Wilkerson – RB; Zack Aschemann – DL; Chris Diddle – K
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 (Rossville); Cade Harelson – LB; Corey Thomas – WR (Topeka High); Miles Wade – OL
Fort Hays State – Pat Kelly – OL; Myles Menges – LB; Ethan Sossen – P; Javaris Sanders – DL; Layke Heimermen – LB
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; Colton Winder – LB
Missouri Western – Brandon Hall – RB; Cooper Burton – WR
Nebraska Kearney – Michael Koch – WR; Hunter Hays – OL; Matt Krzysztalowicz – OL; Jacey Nutter – LB; Travis Holcomb – LB; Jacob Browne – OL
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; Elijah Green – DL; Drew Dostal – 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
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
