ICCAC Announces 2025 Football All-Conference & Awards
The 2025 ICCAC Football All-Conference, All-Region and Special Awards were announced Wednesday following the completion of the regular season. Iowa Western — the league's lone NJCAA Playoff qualifier — led all programs with 14 selections, while Iowa Central earned eight and Ellsworth claimed seven.
Iowa Western quarterback Malachi Marshall was named the ICCAC Offensive Player of the Year after a record-setting season. Marshall threw for 2,458 yards and 30 touchdowns — both third-most in the NJCAA — while posting the nation's highest passer efficiency rating (179.1) and second-best completion percentage (66.7%). He added three rushing touchdowns.
He was joined by Reivers teammates Daniel Swinney, the league's rushing champion (723 yards, 8 TDs), and Jaivyn Moore, who led the conference and NJCAA with 12 receiving touchdowns. Offensive linemen Ashton Mozone and Winner Ndjibu also represented Iowa Western in the trenches.
Iowa Central's offense was headlined by wide receivers Jacob Kania (482 yards, 8 TDs) and Kamare Williams (494 yards, 5 TDs), along with linemen Alan Pond — a repeat All-Conference honoree — and Jordan Jensen.
Ellsworth completed the offensive selections with running back Deandre Rutherford (630 yards), receiver Donte Ferrell (542 yards), tight end Nick Stevenson (235 yards), and lineman Josh Jones.
The defensive lineup featured 12 players — four linemen, four linebackers and four defensive backs — highlighted by ICCAC Defensive Player of the Year Taylor Schaefer of Iowa Central. Schaefer recorded 97 tackles (2nd in NJCAA), 10 TFLs and five sacks, anchoring one of the stingiest fronts in the conference.
Iowa Western dominated the defensive line selections, earning three of the four spots. Blake Hawkins (10 sacks, 19.5 TFLs), Andy Burburija (9 sacks), and Jeremy Lewis (10.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks) helped lead the nation's top pass-rushing unit — a group approaching a school-record 60+ sacks. Ellsworth's Blessing Igbinedion completed the group with 27 tackles and 2.5 sacks in seven games.
Schaefer was joined at linebacker by Iowa Central teammate Christian Barney (56 tackles, 3 INT), Ellsworth's Nevin Poppy (61 tackles), and Iowa Western's Jerome Baker, who led the Reivers with 74 tackles and six sacks — the most among linebackers.
In the secondary, Iowa Western landed two selections with Tim Roberson (4 INTs) and Dax Noles (46 tackles, 3 INT). Ellsworth corner Jalen Riley led the conference with five interceptions, while Iowa Central's Ahmad Grayer added four INTs, two forced fumbles and a recovery to round out an active season.
Three of the four spots of the special teams unit were occupied by Iowa Western. Kicker Gus Bashore went 7 for 8 on field goals while making 47 PATs.
Punter Jake Kracl had a 40.7 net average, with 23 of his 43 punts landing inside the 20 yard line.
The long snapper slot went to freshman Parker Sleiter.
In the return game, Iowa Central's Marcellus Chandler was dynamic. In his limited opportunities (13), Chandler returned two kicks for touchdowns and averaged 31.3 yards per return.
The Coach of the Year award in 2025 went to Iowa Western's Scott Strohmeier. Iowa Western finished the regular season 10-1 and are back in the NJCAA playoff for the fifth straight season.