2020 All-Heart Teams
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Headlined by Haaken Friend‘s second-consecutive first-team selection, a group of nine Evangel football standouts were tabbed for Heart of America Athletic Conference South Division postseason honors, the league office announced Monday.
Friend, a senior tight end from Springfield, was the lone Crusader chosen for First-Team All-Heart South Division honors. He established career highs for receptions (16) and receiving yards (247) this season en route to earning a spot on the Heart Conference’s top postseason team for the second-straight season.
Two additional Crusaders, offensive linemen Derrick Johnson and Pierce Smith, were also repeat honorees, with each garnering second-team laurels. Johnson, a sophomore from Cedar Hill, Texas, and Smith, a senior from Tulsa, were each named to the Heart’s second team in 2019 as well.
Senior wide receiver Sam Buckner, sophomore defensive back Koel Orchard and junior defensive lineman Will Anoa’i were also named to the Heart’s second team. Buckner, a Lee’s Summit, Mo., product, hauled in three touchdown receptions and led the Crusaders in all-purpose yards this fall. Orchard, a Mountain View, Mo., native, led the Evangel defense with 59 tackles and two interceptions, ranking 29th nationally in tackles per game (8.3). A Springfield product, Anoa’i ranked third among all NAIA defenders in tackles for loss per game (2.0) and 16th nationally in sacks (5.0).
Three additional Crusaders earned honorable mention All-Heart recognition, including sophomore return specialist Josh Dennie, sophomore defensive back Jalen Harris and junior wide receiver Joshua Tips.
Evangel concluded its fall season with a 2-5 overall record, finishing fifth in the Heart South Division standings.
For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, follow the Crusaders on Facebook at Facebook.com/EUAthletics, Twitter (@EUAthletics), or visit EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on the team by downloading the new Evangel Crusaders GamedayApp through Google Play.
