Experienced Washburn Squad Prepped for Success

By David Boyce

TOPEKA, Kan. - The start of the 2008 football season looked so promising for a Washburn team retooling after reaching the NCAA Division II playoffs in 2007.

The Ichabods traveled to Springfield and knocked off I-AA Missouri State 35-27 and improved to 2-0.

But Washburn played a lot of underclassmen who didn't have a true understanding of the many potential pitfalls in the MIAA.

Fort Hays State doesn't strike the same fear as Northwest Missouri or Pittsburg State. The Ichabods lost at Fort Hays State, 17-7, and that signaled that the Ichabods were in for a slightly better than average season and not a postseason team.

Washburn finished 6-5, but the inexperienced players gained a valuable amount of information on the MIAA that should serve them well this season.

"A lot of the young guys got good game experience and they got to watch some of the guys ahead of them," said senior wide receiver Joe Hastings. "It definitely helped them see the ins and outs of how the season goes.

"Every game is a new game. Nothing can carry over from the week before. I think that's what happened with Missouri State and Fort Hays. We had a little carry over and we just slipped up. That helped the young guys to understand to take each game as its own game."

A coach can preach over and over again that on any given Saturday any team in the MIAA is capable of beating another.

But the incoming freshman might look at the standings and think that's just coach speak.

It takes going through a conference season for players to really understand what the coach is saying.

"Some freshmen will play on every team, but it is an eye-opening experience because the MIAA is so strong," Washburn coach Craig Schurig said. "A lot of guys on the field in the MIAA are fourth- and fifth-year seniors. So kids who are one or two years out of high school are playing men. It's tough. It's a grind.

"Each week kind of adds up a little bit. It's a physical conference. It's a big step. Game experience is obviously invaluable. Once they get that, they practice at a certain level because they know what they are preparing for."

Last year Washburn hit the wall in the final few weeks of the season. The Ichabods bounced back from a 2-2 start, won four straight and then lost 24-21 against Northwest Missouri.

The Ichabods concluded the season with a 48-17 loss to Pittsburg State and a 34-14 loss to Nebraska-Omaha. Washburn's final three opponents reached the playoffs.

"Going into the Northwest game we played well and lost," Schurig said. "After that, you could really see where depth was a factor and Pittsburg State and Nebraska-Omaha beat us soundly.

"We just didn't have enough gas. That's something we worked hard on in the spring. We do feel we have a lot more depth going into the season."

The thing that Schurig really likes about this year's team is the senior leadership. It starts with Hastings on offense and linebacker Zach Watkins on defense.

Hastings and Watkins form a class of 13 seniors who have been together for five years and tasted the success of reaching the playoffs.

"We jumped up on West Texas A&M 14-0 in our playoff game in our sophomore year and lost (40-39)," said Watkins, a graduate of Truman High School. "With this many seniors we think we know what it takes not only to get to the playoffs, but to actually win a playoff game when you get there."

In order for the Ichabods to have a good season, Watkins said, it is going to take a mix of the young players and the veterans. That's how Washburn won in 2007.

But it is up to the seniors to lead the way.

"We just have to play consistent and be leaders to these guys," Watkins said. "We all came through together. We all redshirted in our freshman year. We are all really good friends."

The 13 seniors learned the same lessons about the MIAA that many of the freshmen were tested on last season.

"I didn't realize the level of competition of all the teams in the conference," Watkins said. "Now I realize how tough it is. I've been fortunate to be on the field in all three years. It takes a lot of work to win any game in this conference."

Washburn opens its season Aug. 29 at Colorado School of the Mines and then plays a rare Friday night home game on Sept. 4 against New Mexico Highlands.

Hastings believes the Ichabods are prepared to handle all the challenges that come their way this season.

"What I like about this year's team is we have a lot of guys returning, a lot of guys with experience," Hastings said. "On top of that, we have a lot of explosive players. We have a lot of guys who know this system inside and out and want to win.

"We are excited for that first game to put it all back out there. We've been working hard for the last six months. We are excited to get back on the field and put it to work."

Offensive player to watch: Sophomore quarterback Dane Simoneau became the starter in the sixth game last season and threw for 788 yards and five touchdowns. He's one of the underclassmen who should really benefit from playing last year.

Defensive player to watch: Senior linebacker Zach Watkins had 119 tackles last year, leading the team in that defensive category for the third straight season. His 362 career tackles ranks second on the school's all-time list.

Key game: Washburn plays at Missouri Western on Sept. 19. It's the second conference game of the season. Both teams are similar. They return a lot of experienced players who believe if they play up to their level they should be competing for the MIAA title and a playoff spot. It's an early test for both teams.

On Friday: Missouri Western football preview.