Kansas City, Mo. – Washburn’s Mickeel Stewart has been named the MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week. Emporia State’s Kole Schankie earns the defensive honors while Pittsburg State’s Austin Panko picks up the honor for special teams.
MIAA Football Offensive Athlete of the Week
Mickeel Stewart, RB, Washburn
He scored four touchdowns including all three in overtime for the Ichabods in a 47-44 triple overtime win over Nebraska-Kearney. He rushed for 42 yards in the overtime periods on eight carries scoring two touchdowns and had one touchdown reception for 25 yards. He scored his first touchdown of the day on a 1-yard dive with 11:49 to go in the game putting Washburn up 27-13. Overall on the day he had 77 yards on 19 carries and three rushing touchdowns and two catches for 37 yards and one score and tallied 124 all-purpose yards. The 6-1 senior running back is a native of Oswego, Ill. where he competed at Oswego High School prior to playing at Iowa Western Community College.
MIAA Football Defensive Athlete of the Week
Kole Schankie, LB, Emporia State
Schankie had a team high seven tackles and a key interception and 47 yard return in the Hornets 37-31 double overtime win at #13 Central Missouri. Five of his tackles came in the second half. On the Mules second to last drive of regulation, he had two tackles and a game saving interception. After UCM drove to the ESU six-yard line, Schankie had a TD saving tackle on second and four. Then on third and two from the Hornet four-yard line, he intercepted Garrett Fugate and returned it 47 yards to the ESU 49 to set up ESUs go ahead score. It is the third straight game Schankie has had an interception. This was the Hornets first win in Warrensburg since 1998. The 6-1 senior linebacker is a native of Madison, Kan. where he competed at Madison High School.
MIAA Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Austin Panko, PR, Pittsburg State
Panko returned a punt 73 yards for a first quarter touchdown to help spark Pittsburg State to a 50-19 road win over Lindenwood Saturday (Sept. 24). The Lees Summit, Mo., native gave the Gorillas a 13-0 lead on his punt return score – the first of his career. He returned five punts for 100 yards on the day, averaging 20.0 yards per return. On offense, Panko also caught five passes for a career-high 134 yards, including an 81-yard touchdown reception. Panko is averaging 18.7 yards per punt return on the season, ranking second in the MIAA and 11th in NCAA Division II. The 6-0 junior punt returner and wide receiver is a native of Lee’s Summit, Mo. where he competed at Lee’s Summit West High School.
— MIAA Press Release —