Written by Tiane Davis and Maggie Samples \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Harding football team received several awards Wednesday after an undefeated season this fall. Senior defensive line Nathaniel Wallace received Great American Conference (GAC) Defensive Player of the Year alongside 19 other players who received All-GAC honors, as well as head coach Paul Simmons, who received Coach of the Year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
With an 11-0 winning streak this season, Simmons said the team\u2019s accomplishments have been very rewarding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019m just incredibly proud for all the young men,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cThey have poured so much into this season, and to be able to see them get to have the once-in-a-lifetime achievement is very rewarding for me. I just want to see them make great memories.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Simmons said the team this year is full of talented athletes and leaders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a very good crew, but probably what stands out is that we have so many guys that I would label as elite leaders,\u201d Simmons said. \u201cI have seen the maturity, accountability and all that stems from having great leaders.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sophomore defensive lineman Aldrin Wilson said the goals of the team go further than winning the GAC championship. He said the team has been preparing every day to be successful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI knew going into practice on Tuesday and Wednesday that we were taking care of business,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe take care of business and we win games.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wilson said he is always grateful for the community\u2019s support. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a big thing when you see people at the games and at tailgates,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cIt\u2019s fun having it be a community event and not just us playing football because we\u2019re not just athletes, we\u2019re student athletes as well. The student body being a part of what we do \u2014 there\u2019s a lot, and I\u2019m just so thankful for all its students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malik Mays is a fifth-year defensive back. He mentioned the end of the season in a Nov.7 Instagram post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTo all my family that came out: Wouldn\u2019t be here without y\u2019all,” Mays said. “It takes a village, forever grateful.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first time in Harding history, the team is entering the NCAA Division II playoffs as the No. 1 seed in Super Region 3. The Bisons will play Nov. 25 against the winner of the Nov. 18 game featuring Central Missouri vs. Henderson State.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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