By GERARD WELLBROCK
Hays Post Sports
HAYS, Kan. - Fort Hays State’s second-best rushing offense in the MIAA last season, which averaged nearly 170 yards per game, was the most productive ground game since the team’s 2017 MIAA title run.
While All-MIAA running back Shane Watts earned a lot of the credit, the Tigers' veteran offensive line was a key part of that success.
The 2025 Tigers return three senior starters on the offensive line: left guard Josh Shaw, center Bradon Kerr and right tackle Porter Dannevik. All three have at least 18 career starts. They are joined by returning veterans DeShawn Williams, David Sjoberg, Neville Brown, Dylan Rock and Jacob Mattice, all of whom have seen playing time.
Shaw, who has started in 26 of his 29 career games, said the line’s depth is a major strength.
“The depth that we have this year compared to years past, we can plug and play guys in different spots,” said Shaw, a native of Fairfield, Nebraska. “There's a lot of us that have gotten a lot of playing time, so it's almost like we think with one mind out there.”
Shaw earned All-MIAA Third Team honors in 2023 and First Team recognition last season, but he is still focused on improvement.
“I think just getting myself in the best physical shape, you know, being mentally tough, pushing through and critiquing myself on the minor details,” he said. “Just those little things are going to help take me over the edge.”
The Tigers finished 8-3 last season, just missing the playoffs, a fact that has motivated Shaw and the team this season.
“Last year wasn't good enough,” Shaw said. “We went 8-3, which was better than the year before, but still wasn't good enough. We want to win championships here. We use the fact that we beat the team that got in over us, and it still wasn't good enough. We use that to motivate us to work harder.”