The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team placed ten players on the D3football.com All-South Region Teams, released Tuesday, December 4th. Markeith Miller was voted South Region Offensive Player of the Year and the Cru had seven First Team selections and three Second Team picks.
Miller, a senior running back from Garland High School, won South Region Offensive Player of the Year and also claimed a spot on the All-Region First Team. He has run for 1,606 yards and a school and conference record 27 touchdowns this season. Miller also has two touchdown receptions on the year to set another UMHB and American Southwest Conference mark with 29 total scores.
Colton Hall and Aaron Sims joined Miller on the All-South Region First Team offense. Hall, a senior offensive tackle from Liberty Hill High School, is the highest-grading offensive lineman for the Cru and was named ASC Offensive Lineman of the Year. Sims, a freshman kick returner and wide receiver, made the First Team as a return specialist. Sims has four punt returns for touchdowns this season and is averaging 25.7 yards per return.
UMHB placed four players on the First Team All-Region defense. Joey Longoria, a junior defensive tackle from Pearland High School, leads the Cru with 7.0 sacks and has 11.0 tackles for loss among his 56 total tackles. Longoria was named ASC Defensive Lineman of the Year this season. Jalen Martin, a senior linebacker from Cedar Ridge High School, has 52 total tackles, four interceptions and leads UMHB with 10 pass break-ups on the year. Reggie Cole, a senior cornerback from Dobie High School, has 31 tackles and two interceptions. Cole also has six pass break-ups and a fumble return for a TD. Jefferson Fritz, a sophomore safety from Kaufman High School, set a new school and conference record with 10 interceptions this season. He also has seven pass break-ups and 35 tackles and was named ASC Defensive Player of the Year.
Offensive guard Lane Smith was named to the Second Team All-Region offense. Smith, a senior from Franklin High School, ranks just behind Hall in grade among Cru offensive linemen and he led the team in knockdowns on the year.
Elijah Cross and De Jackson earned spots on the Second Team All-Region defense. Cross, a senior defense end from Sonora High School, has 12.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and 36 total tackles this season. Jackson, a senior linebacker from Lindale High School, leads the Cru with 76 total tackles. He also has 6.0 tackles for loss and a pair of interceptions.
Miller is a three-time All-Region selection. This is the first All-Region honor for each of the other UMHB players.
The Cru is 13-0 on the season and went 9-0 in ASC play to win its 14th consecutive conference title this year. UMHB will host Wisconsin-Whitewater in the National Semifinals this Saturday at Crusader Stadium in a 2:30 PM kick off.
