Midland University recently inducted its newest members into the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame. The 1987 Warrior football team was inducted Friday, Sept. 15, at a special banquet during Homecoming and Family Weekend. Among those inducted to the Midland Hall of Fame was Chris Godfredson of Sibley.
Induction into the Warrior Athletic Hall of Fame is determined by outstanding athletic performance and leadership during an athlete or team’s tenure at Midland.
The 1987 Midland Football Team was one of the top teams in the nation, qualifying for the NAIA National Championship Quarterfinals and ranking No. 16 in the country. Under the direction of legendary Hall of Fame Head Coach Don Watchorn, the ’87 Warriors finished the regular season with a 7-2 overall record, posting victories over Sioux Falls, Chadron State, Nebraska. Wesleyan, Hastings, Doane, Concordia, and Northwestern.
The Warriors clinched the coveted Nebraska Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (NIAC) championship with a 43-21 victory over Concordia in the regular season finale.
Midland travelled to Pacific Lutheran, ranked No. 6 in the country, for their NAIA Quarterfinal playoff matchup. While Midland did score first in the game, the Warriors lost to the eventual national championship team that day.
For the season, Midland’s vaunted wishbone offense averaged 382.3 total yards per game, including 269.5 yards rushing per game (ninth in the country) and 112.8 yards passing per game. The Warriors averaged 27.2 points per game. Defensively, the Warriors held opponents to 329.7 total yards per game, including 147.1 yards rushing per game and 182.6 yards passing per game. Opponents scored an average of 19.4 points per game.
Several of the players from that 1987 team as well as Assistant Coach Ron Johnson spoke during the Hall of Fame Banquet. Current Warrior Coach Jeff Jamrog accepted a plague that will be placed in the Watchorn Football Complex.
