All Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Football Teams Announced

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Mid-South Conference officials announced the 2021 All MSC Bluegrass Division teams and individual award winners on Thursday.

Pioneer College Caterers is the official sponsor of the 2021 Mid-South Conference football awards. Pioneer College Caterers is an organization committed to providing for the food service needs of Christian colleges and universities.  

Lindsey Wilson's (Ky.) Cameron Dukes was voted as the Craig Mullins MSC Bluegrass Offensive Player of the Year for a third consecutive year, while Georgetown's (Ky.) DJ White repeats as the MSC Bluegrass Defensive Player of the Year.

The individual awards and all-conference teams are selected by a vote of the Bluegrass Division's coaches. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players.

In addition to the players of the year, Bethel's (Tenn.) James Dixon is the Bluegrass Offensive Freshman of the Year and Pikeville's (Ky.) Jonathan Morton is the Bluegrass Defensive Freshman of the Year. Lindsey Wilson's Chris Oliver is the 2021 Ron Finley Bluegrass Division Coach of the Year while Georgetown's Shan Housekeeper is the division's assistant coach of the year.

Dukes helped the top-ranked Blue Raiders capture the Bluegrass Division title while completing 65.9 percent of his passes -- which led the MSC and ranked fifth in the NAIA. He ended the regular season throwing for 1,670 yards in eight games. Dukes threw 19 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. He added 216 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns to the regular season.

White finished the season with 45 tackles while helping the Tigers to an 8-2 record and a No. 15 national ranking. His 9-1/2 sacks are second-best in the Bluegrass Division and rank ninth in the NAIA this season. White added 15-1/2 tackles for a loss, four forced fumbles, and an interception.

Dixon led the Bluegrass Division and ranked sixth in the NAIA with 1,116 receiving yards. He averaged 101.5 receiving yards per game with 14 touchdown receptions -- which also led the Bluegrass this season. Morton tallied 80 tackles during the season, averaging 8.9 tackles per game -- which ranks 30th in the NAIA. He added 1-1/2 sacks and 2-1/2 tackles for a loss.

Oliver picks up his fifth conference coach of the year honor after guiding Lindsey Wilson to its fifth divisional title. Lindsey Wilson enters the NAIA Football Championship Series (the NAIA playoffs) as the top overall seed.

Housekeeper was voted as the inaugural winner of the Bluegrass Division Assistant Coach of the Year. He led a Tiger defense that surrendered just 16.1 points and 275.7 yards per game -- both ranks in the top-20 in the NAIA.

Thirty-one players earned first-team all-conference honors and 25 were selected second-team all-conference as voted on by the coaches. Ties for all-conference teams were not broken.

Wildcat Breakdown:

 Bethel had 10 players honored as either freshman of the year, 1^st team, or 2^nd team selections.

James Dixon was named Offensive Freshman of the Year. Before this season only one Wildcat had 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. Isaiah Hookfin had 1,052 in 2003. Dixon finished with the year with 1, 116. Dixon had 14 touchdown receptions on the year which is second only behind Hookfin who had 15 in 2003. Dixon was named to the MSC Champion of Character team earlier this week.

Two stalwarts on Bethel's offensive line made the first team. Jarious Abercrombie and Cole Lyles had outstanding seasons.

 Dixon was named to the first team as a wide receiver.

De'Ontay Tate was a first team selection. He became just the 13^th Wildcat to rush for over 1, 000 yards in a season. He finished his career with 3, 427 yards which is 4^th all-time in Wildcat history. Tate rushed for three touchdowns in the final game giving him 13 on the season.

Bethel junior linebacker Jakobe Griffin finished the year with 311 career stops. Griffin already held the single season record with 126 tackles in 2019. He had 102 this season to make the 1^st team.

Ball Hawk defensive back Vonte Bates had seven stops versus Campbellsville and finished with 99 total tackles on the season. Bates also had three interceptions on the season. Bates was named 1^st Team All-Conference.

Devious Christmon was also chosen 1^st team after finishing the year with five interceptions. Christmon moved to third on the all-time program list for career interception with 12.

Second team selections were, Quashawn Ford (TE), Nolan Chowbay (QB), and Jared Gentry (DL).

Ford caught six passes with three of those being touchdown receptions. Ford as also recognized as one of the best blockers in the league.

Gentry played only eight games because of injuries but still has an all-conference season. He had 29 total tackles with 7.5 of those being tackles for losses. Gentry also had a fumble recovery during the season.

Chowbay threw three touchdowns in the final game, giving him 30 on the year. He passed Sam Castronova who had 28 in 2018. Chowbay finished the year with 3, 232 passing yards which is the most in a single season in Wildcat history.

Coach Michael Jasper expressed how proud he is of each of his Wildcats. "I am so proud of all the young men in this program and the hard work they put in. These young men deserve this honor and recognition. They are great representations of what hard work and dedication get you when coupled that with consistency. Congratulations to these young men."

2021 First Team All Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division:

2021 Second Team All Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division:

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