MIAA Preview: Washburn
JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
Washburn quarterback Keller Hurla flips a pitch out under duress on Oct. 5, 2024, against Northwest Missouri State in Topeka.
EMPORIA, Kan. — The Craig Schurig era in Topeka is a tough act to follow with 22 seasons leading the Ichabods, a 142-109 record as the winningest coach in Ichabod history. The resume includes an MIAA championship in 2005 and four playoff appearances.
Schurig was dismissed at Washburn last November after a 3-8 record and ninth-place finish in the MIAA. He ended up taking the quarterback coach’s job at Division-I North Alabama.
The Ichabods stayed within the program for the next head coach, hiring defensive coordinator Zach Watkins.
“Our entire program motto is ‘Be the standard’ — you’ve probably seen that on social media, on the shirts we wear and the things we do,” Watkins said. “What that means is whatever your titles are — student-athlete, coach, husband, father — be the highest standard of anything. We want to eventually be the standard of MIAA football and want these guys to be the standard of what they are as men once they leave.”
Watkins was named the head coach just a week after Schurig was dismissed. He was a linebacker for Schurig from 2006 to 2009 and is the school record holder in tackles.
“Even though it was a hire from within, it is a different program from what it was,” Watkins said. “… The standard is the standard and we aren’t going to waiver from that.”
He began his coaching career at Northwest Missouri State then Fort Hays State before spending 11 years on Schurig’s coaching staff.
“We had the best summer weight-room attendance that we’ve ever had and we told those guys that is what leads to wins in the fall,” Watkins said. “We talked about that since January — where we want to be in the fall. The guys have put the work in. They’ve bought into the new coaching staff’s vision.”
The Ichabods will be looking to build offensively with the return of sophomore quarterback Keller Hurla, who started three games last season and played in all 11. Hurla threw for 812 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions along with 332 yards rushing and five scores.
A bounce-back season for D.J. Bell would be a big boost to the offense. Bell had 563 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman before being limited to 246 yards and no touchdowns.
Jakobe Harmon and Nick Hogan lead the offensive line after All-MIAA seasons last year. Harmon was Third Team All-MIAA and Hogan was honorable mention.
“I believe that making a statement early on will set the tone for the season,” Harmon said.
Growth from the defense will also be key this season after promoting Watkins despite giving up 29.7 points per game last season.
Linebacker L.J. Minner Jr., who also has been a member of the track and field team, returns in the middle of the defense after 103 total tackles, eight tackles for loss and five sacks.
The secondary looks like a strength for the Ichabods with three-year starter Jordan Finnesy back and Julius Jackson also returning. Jackson had 54 tackles and two interceptions last season.
Finnesy finished with 89 tackles and an interception.
“This has been the best summer that Washburn football has had since I’ve been here,” Finnesy said.
The defensive line is led by defensive ends Caden Rhamy and Daniel Chavez, Rhamy had 3 1/2 sacks last season while Chavez had two.
Washburn will have the opportunity to make a good first impression on Aug. 30 against GLVC foe Truman State at home before jumping into MIAA play against Northwest Missouri State.
“It is super important to just keep the momentum rolling from this summer,” Finnesy said. “We’ve got just a great group of guys. We’ve got depth everywhere and guys who are just hungry to get on the field against Truman State for that first game. It’ll be super important to hit the ground fast, get that first win and get that momentum rolling for rest of the season.”
