Chardonnae Parker / Delta Managing Editor

Football season has ended at Missouri Valley College and while Valley’s football team fell short of making the post season this season, it still has a few players to be proud of.  

The NAIA has honors for a few outstanding student athletes.  All-Division athletes are those who show outstanding abilities on the court, field, track, or wherever their field of competition is.  

Missouri Valley College plays in the South Division and added six names to the Heart of America Athletic Conference All- South Division Team.  The Vikings added four seniors, one sophomore and one junior.  

Leading the team for his third time in his collegiate career on the All-South Division First team list was senior punter Drake Higgins.  Higgins also has the opportunity to become a three time All-American. Higgins leads the nation in punting. Higgins has punted 39 times this season and averages 45.1 yards per punt.  Higgins career long punt was 74 yards and season long punt was 71 yards. Higgins set a new school record on this season with the 45.1 punting average on this season.

“I believe I have what it takes to not only be all division for the third time but also a three time All-American,” Higgins said, “I think I accomplished more than anyone thought I would be playing football, so I am definitely grateful for that.”

Higgins led the nation in punting yards this season.

The Vikings also added Seniors Ramiah Marshall, Jake Bridges, and Mathew Sifuentes.  Marshall recognized on the second team as a returner. Marshall also finished second in the Heart conference in returns yards, fourth in kick off yards per game and number 13 in all purpose yards on the season. 

Bridges and Sifuentes were both named honorable mentions on the All- Division South Team list. Bridges, the Vikings’ quarterback, finished second in the Heart of America Conference in total offensive yards and total offensive yards per game.  Bridges set a program record for most career passing yards finishing with 9,479, according to Andy Pulverenti, Valley’s sports information director.

Sifuentes was the single defensive man to be named in the All-South division team. Sifuentes lead the team in total tackles.  

Junior offensive lineman Daniel Munoz was honorable mentions for his second time on the All-South Division Team.  Sophomore Wayne Grant received a spot on the Second Team All- Division South list. Grant had a record setting season.  Grant was a big target for Bridges all season; Grant lead the Heart of America Conference on receptions and receptions per game.  Also finishing second in the conference in reception yards and reception yards per game. Grant set a season and program record for the most catches in a single game with 17 receptions against the Central Methodist Eagles.  

Grant, like many of the other members to the All- South Division team, has answered the call of the team countless amount of times this season. 

“I am never focused on personal records,” Grant said. “It has ways been about the team wins. I know and acknowledge the success I have has but I just want to get out there and win games for my team.”

Grant was second in the nation in receptions and fourth in reception yards per game.