Josh Evans and Brady Burke were named First Team all-Heart South Division to headline seven Evangel University football players earning league honors as announced on Monday.
Evans (Pleasant Hope, Mo.) and Burke (Mansfield, Texas) were joined by all-Heart Second Team selections, offensive lineman Josh Carlton (Cassville, Mo.) and kick returner Brock West (Lebanon, Mo.). A trio of Crusaders also earned Heart Honorable Mention accolades including Devon Overall (Monett, Mo.), Isaiah Daniels (Branson, Mo.) and Kade Kelley (Urbana, Mo.)
Evans was an Honorable Mention selection last season as he led the nation in forced fumbles and ranked fourth in tackles for a loss with 21. He also led the conference in sacks and was fifth in NAIA with 12.5 sacks. The junior set the single-season school record for tackles for a loss and was had the fourth most sacks while he is also the all-time tackles for a loss leader and ranks fifth in school history with 19 total sacks.
Burke led the league in punt yardage and was third with a 37.8 yards per punt average. He finished the season with a seven punts inside the 20-yard line, four touchbacks, and a season-long 76-yard punt.
Carlton started in every game for the Crusaders at right guard helping the Crusaders pass for over 2,100 yards and average 307 yards of total offense per game. Senior Brock West earned his second all-Heart honor after ranking 20th nationally in kick return average and was second averaging 24.9 yards per return.
Honorable Mention selection, Devon Overall, was tabbed all-conference for a second consecutive season after battling injuries in 2016. He finished the season fifth with 99 tackles on the year and also moved into a tie for 10th all-time at Evangel in total tackles and tackles for a loss.
Daniels was the third leading tackler for the Crusaders finishing with 54 tackles and 3.5 tackles for a loss. The sophomore also recorded one interception as classmate Kade Kelley also earned his first all-conference honor on the offensive line.
Complete 2016 All-Heart Honors
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