EMPORIA, Kan. (WIBW) – Washburn and Emporia State’s football teams have rich and proud histories. They’re both ready to add on to those histories this season by reaching the playoffs.
“I wanna get back there really bad, and I know everybody on our team has, and that’s why we’re working hard and putting our heads down this spring and this summer is to put ourselves in position to do that,” Washburn senior safety Jordan Finnesy said. “The words to emphasize that I can’t say right now.”
First-year head coach Zach Watkins says the Ichabods will strive to become the standard.
“Washburn can be everything that the Division II standard should be,” Watkins said. “That could be wins, that could be postseason standard, NFL guys, all that type of stuff.”
Entering his 19th season at the helm, Emporia State head coach Garin Higgins admitted his team doesn’t talk about the postseason much. But he thinks Emporia State can accomplish what may have previously been regarded as impossible.
“I think this program is capable of doing things that haven’t been done here yet,” Higgins said.
“It would mean everything,” senior defensive tackle C.J. Adams added. “It’s always been a goal since I’ve gotten here, you know, and we’ve been close many times and just haven’t gotten over that edge yet.”
Washburn and Emporia State will face off in this year’s Turnpike Tussle on Nov. 8 in Topeka.
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