2021 Heart South Football All-Conference Selections Announced

After concluding the 2021 regular season last Saturday, the Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its 2021 Heart Football South Division All-Conference teams on Thursday afternoon.

Baker University senior running back JD Woods was selected the Heart South Player of the Year and Co-Offensive Player of the Year after another record-breaking season.

The senior from Lawrence, Kansas broke the NAIA's all-time career rushing yards record, as his 6,666 rushing yards are the most in NAIA history.

This season he ran for 1,377 yards and averaged 6.3 yards per carry. He also ran for 25 touchdowns, ending his career with 96 rushing touchdowns.

MidAmerica Nazarene's Caleb Tanis shared the Co-Offensive Player of the Year award with Woods, after an exceptional sophomore season. 

Tanis finished 2021 with 79 receptions for 1,359 yards and collected 22 receiving touchdowns. He averaged 17.2 yards per catch.

Baker's BJ Harvey and Benedictine's Jalen James earned the 2021 Heart South Co-Defensive Player of the Year honors.

Harvey had 58 tackles for the Wildcats in his junior campaign. He also had one interception and a forced fumble. Baker went 9-2 on the season and is now tied with Missouri Valley for the most football program wins in NAIA history with 632.

In his senior season, James had 93 tackles for the Ravens, along with 3.5 sacks and had an interception. The Ravens went 7-4 in head coach Joel Osborn's first full season with BC.

2021 Freshman of the Year went to Central Methodist quarterback, Paxton DeLaurent. The Camdenton, Mo. product threw for 2,299 yards with 24 touchdowns. He also ran for 475 yards and seven touchdowns. 

After guiding the Central Methodist Eagles to their first Heart Football Conference Championship since 1975 and one of the greatest regular seasons in program history, head coach David Calloway was named the 2021 Heart South Coach of the Year.

The Eagles went 9-2 overall and a perfect 5-0 in conference play to win the 2021 Heart South Division title. They Eagles will now travel to Orange City, Iowa to face No. 4 Northwestern (Iowa) in the NAIA-Football Championship Series Playoffs this Saturday.

Baker University's Defensive Coordinator Tucker Pauley was selected the 2021 Heart South Assistant Coach of the Year.

To view the 2021 Heart South First Team All-Conference Offense, please see below.

To view the 2021 Heart South First Team All-Conference Defense, please see below.

To view the 2021 Heart South Second Team All-Conference Offense, please see below.

To view the 2021 Heart South Second Team All-Conference Defense, please see below.

To view the 2021 Heart South Honorable Mention All-Conference Offense, please see below.

To view the 2021 Heart South Honorable Mention All-Conference Defense, please see below.