I’ve got the All-MIAA and All-Jayhawk football teams in … so let me get this out of the way right now:
The KCAC will announce its all-league football teams sometime in the next couple of weeks, and, undoubtedly, the award for offensive player of the year is going to go to a quarterback or a running back. I’d say its even money on Ottawa quarterback Ethan Haller, who has had a tremendous season, to pick up the hardware. But it’s just … he’s not the best player in the KCAC. The best player in the KCAC, in my opinion, is Friends offensive lineman Jacob Bruster, who should be either the KCAC player of the year or the offensive player of the year. Or both. Without him, the Falcons just don’t run right, from leadership to dominating games. But this type of award never goes to an offensive lineman because they have no real stats to show, unless you count undefeated records and national rankings. Now I feel like Howard Beale. So excuse me as I step down off of my soap box. And discuss amongst yourselves.
Let’s break this down:
MIAA
MIAA champ Northwest Missouri swept all the awards, and deservedly so, with head coach Mel Tjeerdsma, QB Joel Osborn and DB Myles Burnsides picking up coach of the year and the offensive and defensive MVPS. Pittsburg State’s Caleb Farabi was a repeat selection at running back and a unanimous pick, as was offensive lineman Kendall Molz. On defense, Washburn linebacker Zach Watkins was a repeat first-team pick, and he’s only a junior. Pittsburg State sophomore defensive back Alex Kuhlman was also on the first team, and the only Kansas native on the first-team defense. Oh, and note to the MIAA: 27 honorable mention picks on offense? 34 honorable mention picks on defense? Somebody, please, draw a line. There’s no reason to have this many players on here. I’m all for recognizing great seasons … but that’s too much. This isn’t little league. Everybody does not have to feel good about themselves.
JAYHAWK
Not a lot of surprises here. I was pretty sure Hutchinson running back La’Darrian Page would be named offensive player of the year, and he deserves it. Garden City quarterback Eugene Smith also could have made a case if the Busters had been better as a team. Defensively, Hutchinson defensive tackle Eugene Kinlaw was the defensive player of the year. Which is debatable. I could probably make a case for five guys that could say that award was theirs, too. And Butler coach Troy Morrell was the coach of the year. And the sky is blue. And Jack Shephard is a good TV doctor.
I’m out.
-TA