PlaYeRS - Washburn Athletics

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2008 Season Preview
Brandon Walker
Zach Watkins
Bruce Ringwood
Eric Lawrence
Grant Hajek
the Ichabods to two NCAA Playoffs and the 2005 MIAA title.
Notable: Iverson is aiming to become the first sophomore quarterback
to start the season under center since Jordan Brill did in
2005.
Quotable: “Our quarterbacks worked hard in the spring and
each of them push the others,” Schurig said. “As a coaching staff we
are confident in Jake, Cameron or Dane leading the offense.”
Running Back
Who’s Back: Senior Brandon Walker rushed for 760 yards en
route to MIAA second team honors as well as the Ichabods’ Offensive
Player of the Year in 2007. Also back is sophomore Terrance
Lowe who rushed for 177 yards in the regular season final against
Southwest Baptist last year.
Who’s New: After redshirting in 2007, Justin Cooper will also
push for carries this season.
Notable: Brandon Walker, has played wide receiver, quarterback
and running back at Washburn averaged 17.1 yards per reception
last season with 23 catches and three touchdowns.
Quotable: “We have depth at running back,” Schurig said. “With
the quality of running backs we have we need to run hard and we
plan to rotate Brandon, Terrance and Justin throughout the season
to keep everyone fresh. We also want to get more production out of
our fullbacks.”
Quotable: “Our tight ends are used for more than just pass receptions,”
Schurig said. “We use them in our blocking schemes and
split them out as wide receivers too. We are always looking for ways
to utilize their skills to help the team.”
Offensive Line
Who’s Back: Going from the most experienced player groupings
on offense last season, the Ichabod offensive line for 2008 is
the youngest group this season. With only one senior listed in the
personnel chart in Andy Kavanaugh, the offensive line will have to
quickly gel entering the season. Junior center Grant Hajek returns
after starting all 12 games last season. Sophomore Ty Lewis returns
at left guard after playing in six games last season. Fellow sophomore
Thadd Taylor played both center and guard during spring ball
and making the switch from the defensive to the offensive line is
junior Ben Bianchino. Bianchino started 11 games on the defensive
line in 2007.
Notable: The Ichabod offensive line has produced a 1,000-yard
rusher in five of the six seasons under offensive coordinator and offensive
line coach Brian Miller.
Quotable: “We have some talent returning this season on the
offensive line,” Schurig said. “But there is a possibility of someone
coming in and taking playing time from one of the returning players.
This group will compete throughout fall camp for playing time.”
WASHBURN UNIVERSITY
Wide Receivers
Who’s Back: The Ichabods will have six receivers on the personnel
chart who saw action last season. Juniors Brad Cole and
Drameagon Powers are listed as starters entering the fall and they
will be rotated with senior Trent Stepps and junior Joe Hastings
along with sophomores Brody Schuler and Lloyd Bias.
Notable: The Ichabods return seven of the eight receivers who
caught passes last season.
Quotable: “This is as deep as we have been at receiver in a while,”
Schurig said. “This group will provide big-play potential and consistent
clutch play for our offense.
Tight End
Who’s Back: Sophomore Cameron Knox is the only tight end
who saw action last year. Ryan Mertz, a 6-7, 210 pound tight end,
is a converted wide receiver who will provide a big target on vertical
and over the middle routes for the Ichabods. Sophomore Seth Homolka
is a strong blocker as a converted fullback who will be used in
the passing game and as a blocker in the run schemes.
Notable: Tight end position players caught nine passes for the
Ichabods last season for 142 yards.
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2008 Ichabod Football Media guide
The Defense
Last season, the Ichabods led the MIAA in turnover margin
creating a league-high 39 turnovers with a school-record tying 23
interceptions.
“Our defense has talent, experience and depth,” Schurig said.
“Our front seven from the defensive line and linebackers from top
to bottom are as good as any other in the conference.”
Defensive Line
Who’s Back: Three of the four starters on the defensive line are
seniors with Mitch Birt and Eric Lawrence at the ends and D.J.
Frommothelydo at a tackle. At the other tackle is junior Brandon
Jackson. Lawrence had a team-high 14.5 tackles for loss with 5.5
sacks having started 34 games at Washburn. Birt has recorded 62
tackles at Washburn and Frommothelydo emerged as a run-stopper
last season. Also looking for time in the rotation will be senior Martell
Underwood, junior Ben Muir and redshirt freshmen Dakota
Palan-Johnson, Victor Butler and Cory Walker.
Who’s New: Senior Byron Smith, a transfer who started three
games at Arizona as the No. 5 ranked junior college defensive lineman
will join the Ichabods this fall.