RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – Harding had 14 players receive All-Great American Conference honors Tuesday, including nine on the First Team.
Harding is 10-1 and won the GAC regular season championship. The Bisons are ranked No. 7 nationally and host No. 24 Washburn Saturday at 1 p.m. in the first round of the NCAA Division II Playoffs.
Harding's First Team honorees included senior fullback Cole Chancey, senior offensive lineman Sam Wilson, sophomore defensive end Nathaniel Wallace, senior defensive tackle Isaako Faagai, senior inside linebacker Dylan Hendricks, senior outside linebacker Shedrick Robinson, senior cornerback Cory Batie, junior safety Cade Pugh and senior long snapper Enoch Williams.
Senior center Mason Hutto and sophomore kicker Grant Ennis landed on the Second Team.
Receiving honorable mention were junior running back Omar Sinclair, junior utility player Kage Citty and sophomore offensive lineman Keegan Shive.
Chancey (Commerce, Ga.) rushed 210 times for 1,148 yards and a school-record 23 TD. It is his fourth All-GAC honor and third consecutive First Team award. Chancey joins Alan Dixon as Harding's only four-time all-conference running backs.
Wilson (Jenks, Okla.) started all 11 regular season games at offensive tackle. He was Harding's Gene Upshaw Award nominee for top lineman in Division II. Harding's last offensive lineman to earn First Team All-GAC was Keith Pledger in 2018.
Wallace (Bryant, Ark.) had 21 tackles, tied for the team lead with 7.5 tackles for loss, and added 3.5 sacks. Harding has had a First Team All-GAC defensive end in four of the last five seasons.
Faagai (Wilmington, Calif.) had 12 tackles, including 2.0 TFL and 1.0 sack. Harding's last defensive tackle to earn First Team All-GAC was Jensen Jackson in 2016.
Hendricks (Mesa, Ariz.) led Harding with 44 tackles, including 3.0 TFL. It was Hendricks' second straight First Team All-GAC honor.
Robinson (Pensacola, Fla.) had 20 tackles, including 3.0 TFL, and an interception. Harding's last outside linebacker to earn First Team All-GAC was Scott Middleton in 2016.
Batie (Troy, Ala.) had 20 tackles and one interception. He was an honorable mention All-GAC recipient in 2018 and 2019.
Pugh (Helena, Ala.) was second on the team with 37 tackles, a sack and an interception. His award marks the third straight season a Harding safety has earned First Team All-GAC, joining Dra Smith in 2018 and Jacory Nichols in 2019.
Williams (Dickson, Tenn.) served as Harding's long snapper on special teams. Long snapper Jon Cain earned the First Team honor in 2019.
Hutto (Germantown, Tenn.) started all 12 regular season games at center. Harding's starting center has earned All-GAC honors in seven of the last eight seasons.
Ennis (Lavaca, Ark.) made 9 of 12 field goals and 59 of 61 extra points. He is the first Harding kicker to receive All-GAC since John Gay in 2012.
Sinclair (Norcross, Ga.) rushed 76 times for 711 yards and 5 TD. A Harding slot back has earned All-GAC in seven of the last eight seasons.
Citty (Searcy, Ark.) made four receptions for 97 yards and 3 TD at wide receiver. He also recorded a tackle on defense and a blocked punt on special teams. The last Harding player to earn All-GAC at utility for playing offense, defense and special teams was Donatella Luckett in 2014.
Shive (Altus, Okla.) started all 12 regular season games at right tackle. He honor gave Harding three All-GAC offensive linemen for the second time in the last three seasons.
