Northwest Missouri State placed six on the All-MIAA First Team, while head coach John McMenamin, senior Clayton Power and redshirt freshman Zechariah Owens nabbed individual awards from the league on Tuesday.
McMenamin was named coach of the year in his first season guiding his alma mater. With his guidance, Northwest reeled off nine straight wins during the regular season on the way to a share of the MIAA title and the program's first playoff berth since 2022. The Bearcats also boast the top scoring offense and defense in the conference.
Power was named MIAA Defensive Lineman of the Year after a game-wrecking senior campaign. The Stilwell, KS native racked up 7.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss while anchoring a defense that allowed a mere 97.2 rushing yards each week — best in the MIAA. Power also snared his first career interception against Missouri Southern in Joplin in week four, then picked off another on Homecoming against Nebraska Kearney.
Owens burst onto the scene as a dual threat quarterback, and didn't disappoint on the way to MIAA co-Freshman of the Year honors shared with Central Missouri's Donovyn Omolo. Owens rushed for 543 yards and three touchdowns, while posting 6.5 yards per carry — good for third in the conference. He showed flashes through the first month of the season, then burst onto the scene in Warrensburg with 204 total yards and four touchdowns in a resounding 49-32 win over the Mules.
Joining Power on the All-MIAA First Team was linebacker Carter Edwards and Shane Fredrickson. On the offensive side, left tackle Kaleb McCullough and center Wes Merriman got the nod, along with kick and punt returner Dominic Myers.
The full All-MIAA listing is available below.
2025 MIAA POSTSEASON AWARDS & ALL-MIAA TEAMS
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Jackson Berry, Pittsburg State, QB, Sr.
OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Montriel Lee, Central Oklahoma, Sr.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Landon Boss, Emporia State, LB, Jr.
DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Clayton Power, Northwest Missouri, Sr.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Austin Schmitt, Pittsburg State, K, Jr.
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Donovyn Omolo, Central Missouri, QB
CO-FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Zechariah Owens, Northwest Missouri, QB
COACH OF THE YEAR: John McMenamin, Northwest Missouri
ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback – Jackson Berry – Pittsburg State
Running Back – Zahmari Palode-Gary – Pittsburg State
Wide Receiver – Malik O’Atis – Emporia State
Wide Receiver – Kuron Parchmon – Pittsburg State
Wide Receiver – Hogan Wasson – Central Missouri
Tight End/Fullback – Dominique Dunn – Central Oklahoma
All-Purpose Back – Jaylen Cottrell – Central Oklahoma
Offensive Line – Drew Daniels – Pittsburg State
Offensive Line – Montriel Lee – Central Oklahoma*
Offensive Line – Kaleb McCullough – Northwest Missouri
Offensive Line – Wes Merriman – Northwest Missouri
Offensive Line – Josh Shaw – Fort Hays State
Offensive Line – Carter Stanchfield – Pittsburg State
Kicker – Austin Schmitt – Pittsburg State
Kick/Punt Returner – Dominic Myers – Northwest Missouri
*Indicates unanimous selection
(team reflects ties in voting)
ALL-MIAA FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line – Gaven Haselhorst – Fort Hays State*
Defensive Line – Xavier Morrow – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Line – Clayton Power – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Line – Jeremy Sharp – Pittsburg State
Linebacker – Landon Boss – Emporia State*
Linebacker – Carter Edwards – Northwest Missouri*
Linebacker – John Johnson – Fort Hays State*
Linebacker – Jack Puckett – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Back – Ife Current – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Back – Shane Fredrickson – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Back – Kamble Haverkamp – Washburn
Defensive Back – Reggie King, Jr. – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Jordan Rogers – Pittsburg State*
Punter – Dylan Davidson – Emporia State
*Indicates unanimous selection
(team reflects ties in voting)
ALL-MIAA SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback – Jett Huff – Central Oklahoma
Running Back – William Mason – Central Oklahoma
Wide Receiver – Jaden Jude – Nebraska Kearney
Wide Receiver – Luke Mathews – Northwest Missouri
Wide Receiver – Draper Parker – Missouri Southern
Tight End/Fullback – Cale Cormaney – Fort Hays State
All-Purpose Back – Dominic Myers – Northwest Missouri
Offensive Line – Mac Garner – Central Oklahoma
Offensive Line – Carter Klein – Nebraska Kearney
Offensive Line – Shawn Martinez – Central Missouri
Offensive Line – Harrison Merriman – Northwest Missouri
Offensive Line – Talon Wheeler – Emporia State
Kicker – Will Peacock – Central Missouri
Kick/Punt Returner – Jaylen Fuksa – Pittsburg State
ALL-MIAA SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line – Grant Finley – Missouri Western
Defensive Line – Nile Schuett – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Line – James Smith – Pittsburg State
Defensive Line – Johnny Wilson – Central Oklahoma
Linebacker – Ben Einess – Northwest Missouri
Linebacker – JC Heim – Washburn
Linebacker – Connor Johnson – Central Oklahoma
Linebacker – Steven Ward – Pittsburg State
Linebacker – Parker Wise – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Back – Jaylen Fuksa – Pittsburg State
Defensive Back – Trey Holmes – Missouri Western
Defensive Back – Willie Rice – Central Oklahoma
Defensive Back – Tyler Schultze – Emporia State
Punter – Jake Zeller – Washburn
(team reflects ties in voting)
ALL-MIAA THIRD TEAM OFFENSE
Quarterback – Donovyn Omolo – Central Missouri
Running Back – Brandon Hall – Missouri Western
Wide Receiver – Chase Allen-Jackman - Washburn
Wide Receiver – Kingsley Bennett – Emporia State
Wide Receiver – Greyson Holbert – Pittsburg State
Tight End/Fullback – Luke Niggemann – Pittsburg State
All-Purpose Back – Nathan Glades – Missouri Southern
Offensive Line – Porter Dannevik – Fort Hays State
Offensive Line – Connor Holt – Missouri Western
Offensive Line – Coby James – Pittsburg State
Offensive Line – Luke Karns – Central Missouri
Offensive Line – Trevion Mitchell – Emporia State
Kicker – Caden Dodson – Emporia State
Kick/Punt Returner – Crew Myers – Missouri Western
*Indicates unanimous selection
ALL-MIAA THIRD TEAM DEFENSE
Defensive Line – CJ Adams – Emporia State
Defensive Line – Mike Harris – Central Missouri
Defensive Line – Jordan Pigram – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Line – Parrish Terry – Fort Hays State
Defensive Line – Deantee Young – Missouri Western
Linebacker – Zach Bergmann – Missouri Southern
Linebacker – Parker Bowen – Northwest Missouri
Linebacker – Garrett Hormann – Central Missouri
Linebacker – Brecken Manus – Missouri Western
Defensive Back – Ja’Mareion Gipson – Nebraska Kearney
Defensive Back – Mike Harrison – Northwest Missouri
Defensive Back – Malachi Howard – Central Missouri
Defensive Back – Antwon Jenkins, Jr. – Northwest Missouri
Punter – Marty Mormino – Nebraska Kearney
(team reflects ties in voting)
ALL-MIAA HONORABLE MENTION
CENTRAL MISSOURI – Bo Reeves, TE; Drew Kaufman, LB; Talon Sanders, DB
CENTRAL OKLAHOMA – Kristian Valeriano, WR; Gabe Grazier, OL; Wesley Hudson, DL; Cameron Done, DL; Darius Hampton, DL; Reese Roller, LB
EMPORIA STATE – Diego Cearns, RB; Gabe Booker, LB; Peyton Taylor, DB; Nehemiah Figueroa, DB
FORT HAYS STATE – Caleb Heavner, QB; Ryan Allen, WR; Brandon Kerr, OL; Jakolbi Wilson, DL; Jalen Williams, DL; Michael Polley, DB; Matthew McBride, DB; Logan Russell, P
MISSOURI SOUTHERN – Tillman Martin, QB; Isaiah Padello, WR; Colton Bass, LB; RJ Hill, DB
NEBRASKA KEARNEY – CJ Horton, TE; Matt Beyer, OL; CJ Kuehl, DB
NORTHWEST MISSOURI – Chris Ruhnke, QB; Quincy Torry, RB; Gannon Gragert, TE; Andrew Waltke, TE; Pierce Wand, OL; Zylan Saddler-Robinson, DL; Holden Zigmant, DB; Tommy Warner, P
PITTSBURG STATE – Cleo Chandler, RB; Ryan Medeiros, K/P Ret.; Ely Wilcox, DL
WASHBURN – Ky Thomas, RB; Henry Mohrmann, TE; Jakobe Harmon, OL; Nick Hogan, OL; LJ Minner, Jr., LB; Jordan Finnesy, DB
