Sellon tops list of 15 Mustang All-GPAC picks

SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Another successful season helped the Morningside football team earn 15 All-Conference selections Wednesday as voted on by Great Plains Athletic Conference coaches, including an individual offensive award.

Drew Sellon was named the GPAC Offensive Player of the Year. The junior wide receiver — who also earned a First Team Offensive spot — emerged as one of the most explosive wideouts in the NAIA. He finished the regular season leading the nation in receiving yards per game (122.8) and tied for the national lead in receiving touchdowns (17). Sellon recorded three three-touchdown performances, including the overtime game-winner against Dordt this past Saturday. Sellon earned 66 receptions.

Here is a look at all the other recipients, sorted by first team, second team and honorable mention:

First Team Offense

Zack Chevalier, sr., QB: Chevalier guided the NAIA's No. 1 offense with precision and poise, collecting 3,586 passing yards. Chevalier threw for over 350 yards in four games, and his season high in passing was last week with 441 yards. He was second in the NAIA with 40 passing TDs and third in yards per game (326.0).

Jaylen Burch, jr., RB: Burch led the Mustangs with 727 rushing yards and scored the most on the ground with 10 touchdowns. Burch carried the ball 130 times. He scored thrice in the Nov. 8 victory over Mount Marty.

Lennx Brown, sr., WR: The Council Bluffs native caught 60 passes for 706 yards. He scored eight times. He had two separate two-touchdown games — at Hastings and at home against No. 23 Concordia. Last week, Brown amassed 120 yards on 10 catches.

Brody Cutrer, soph., OL: Cutrer anchored a Mustang offensive line that paved the way for one of the top rushing and passing units in the NAIA. His consistency helped Morningside surpass 100 rushing yards in every game and protect an offense that averaged 550.3 yards per contest.

First Team Defense

Cale Pittenger, jr., DL: Pittenger collected a team-high 13 tackles for loss, totaling 63 yards. He also forced three fumbles, and recovered a loose ball. The Holstein, Iowa, native also broke up three passes.

Blake Bellamy, sr., LB: Bellamy delivered in key moments all year, including having two fumble recoveries this season, and a pick-six against Concordia. Bellamy was second among the Mustangs in total tackles (72.0) and had 9.0 tackles for loss for 29 yards.

Cade Harriman, jr., DB: Harriman led the Mustangs in solo tackles with 43, and total tackles (83). He also had an interception for 27 yards. He broke up six passes, and recovered a fumble.

Second Team Offense

Griffin Kraft, sr., TE: Kraft was a reliable option for Chevalier, as he caught 29 throws for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Two of those came Sept. 6 against Briar Cliff.

Mason Scott, sr., OL: A veteran leader up front, the Bishop Heelan Catholic grad helped power a Mustang offense that ranked first nationally in total yards and was the center on the offensive line.

Jack James, sr., OL: His stability on the interior line helped the team surpass 100 rushing yards in every game and protect one of the NAIA's top quarterbacks.

Second Team Special Teams

Juven Hudson, redshirt fr., kick return specialist: Hudson averaged 23.3 yards per kickoff return, and returned the ball 16 times. His longest return was 39 yards.

Honorable Mention

Jakob Nelson, jr., WR: Nelson caught 28 passes, and four of them were scoring plays. He amassed 458 yards in eight games.

Teyel Lowe, sr., DL: Lowe forced a fumble in the snow against Mount Marty earlier this month, and recovered a loose ball in the Sept. 20 victory over Midland. He amassed 26 total tackles.

Landry Phipps, sr., LB: Phipps recorded at least a half tackle for loss in seven games, and had a sack in three contests. He had nine total tackles in the regular-season finale against Dordt.