MIAA Preview: Washburn
JON DYKSTRA/THE FORUM
Washburn quarterback Justin Lewis settles into the pocket last season against Northwest in Topeka on Sept. 6, 2025.
TOPEKA, Kan. — After a 34-7 loss to Northwest Missouri State and a 41-27 loss to Colorado School of Mines, most of the Division-II football world likely wrote off Washburn in Zach Watkins’ first season leading his alma mater.
For those who tuned out, they might be surprised at the improvements that the Ichabods made throughout the season. A 6-point loss to Central Oklahoma, a 7-point loss to Nebraska-Kearney, a 20-point win over Central Missouri, a 3-point loss in overtime to Fort Hays State and a 3-point loss to Missouri Western represented a string of games where Washburn showed that they are closer than a 3-8 record may indicate.
“We are really excited about Year 2,” Watkins said. “We’ve done a really good job in our program from Year 1 to Year 2. … There is an urgency behind Year 2. Year 1 you kinda set a foundation, you get a plan together, you have a vision. Year 2, it isn’t your first time doing anything. … We are very excited about this year at Washburn.”
A 27-point loss to Northwest and a 24-point loss to Pittsburg State show that the Ichabods still have plenty of work to do to catch the top of the league and the playoff contenders, but they were closer to the middle of the league with an average score difference of 28.8-21.2 compared to Missouri Western at 32.2-18.7 or Missouri Southern at 30-20.6.
“We come every day with that ‘something to prove’ mindset,” senior Ty Weber said. “We know where we have been in the past and where we want to go.”
Offensively, it was the quick-game passing that shined despite three different quarterbacks seeing signicant time with Logan Madden, Justin Lewis and Keller Hurla. Hurla will be taking a step back this season, but Madden and Lewis both return to battle for snaps.
“This may be the most complete quarterback room that we’ve had in a long time,” Watkins said. “… When you’ve got a quarterback, you have a chance to win and we have multiple. … Logan and Justin will have a really good battle for the starting quarterback position.”
Madden threw for 1,155 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions last season while Lewis threw for 815 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions.
The Ichabods will have to replace a lot of their pass catchers this season with their three top targets gone, but the tight end room is a strength with Henry Mohrmann (220 yards and 5 touchdowns) and Ty Weber (65 yards and a touchdown) back in.
“We talk a lot about be a complete tight end,” Weber said. “You are in the run game, the pass game. … It has definitely been a blessing for me to have those guys in the room.”
Junior Cam Robinson’s emergence as the season went last year was key for a running game that was non-existent early in the year. Robinson didn’t get a carry in the first two games of the season, but broke out with 11 carries for 71 yards against Nebraska-Kearney.
Robinson ended the year with his two heaviest workload games with 15 carries for 70 yards and his first touchdown against Emporia State then 17 carries for 82 yards against Missouri Southern.
Defensively is where the most recognizable names are for the Ichabods, led by linebacker JC Heim who was named to D2Football.com’s Elite 100 Preseason All-American Squad as a top-100 player in the entire country.
“At linebacker, you have to be involved in everything,” Watkins said. “You have to be the leader of your defense. You have to be involved in decision-making and have leadership qualities. … That bleeds into the defensive success.”
Heim had 142 tackles last season with seven of those for loss and was a Second Team All-MIAA linebacker.
“Last year was great, personnally, I had a good season,” Heim said. “But this year, I’m not so much worried about the stats. I’m just worried about doing my job. … I’m excited to see this year how we respond to adversity as a team. I’m ready to get out there and ready to play some ball.”
Safety Braiden Lagafuaina made an immediate impact as a freshman last year with 26 tackles and two interceptions. Junior defensive tackle Al-Mani Jimerson will be looked to as a leader of the defensive front after 20 tackles a year ago.
The Ichabods open up with a pair of familiar non-conference opponents and a chance to make a statement for themselves and the MIAA. Washburn opens at Truman State, a team they beat last year but who is picked second in the GLVC. They have their home opener the next week against Colorado School of Mines who is picked third in the RMAC.
“We look less into proving others wrong and more into proving ourselves right,” Weber said. “We know what we’ve put into it. We know what we’ve done this summer and where we are going.”
