Kansas City Mo. - After finishing the year with one of the best records in program history, eight members of the Central Methodist University football team garnered all-conference honors, as announced by the conference office Monday afternoon. 

Seniors Katavious Taylor, Will Miles, and Khari Henley, along with junior Samuel Petrin landed on the first team, while Mar'Quess Daniels earned Heart South Second Team honors. Anthony Hernandez, Brice Walker, and Cory Luke were also recognized as honorable mention members. 

Taylor was named first-team all-conference for the third-straight season after leading the team in receptions (44), receiving yards (641), and touchdowns (10) in nine games played. The 10 touchdowns were also tied for first in the conference. In addition, the Memphis, Tenn. native finished second in the Heart in receptions and receiving yards, both of which were Top-10 in the NAIA this year. His best performance came in the Eagles' 27-20 win over Evangel on Nov. 7, when he hauled in a season-high eight receptions for 109 yards. 

Miles was named to the Heart South First Team after earning second-team honors as a junior in 2019. Miles was a force on both the defensive line and special teams, as the Rock Island Ill. native collected 34 tackles with five sacks this season. He was named Heart Defensive Player of the Week after a stellar performance against MidAmerica Nazarene on senior day, collecting seven tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, and a blocked field goal. Additionally, Miles blocked two field-goal attempts and picked up two fumbles in Central's narrow 27-20 win over Evangel (11/7). 

Henley earned first-team honors for the first time in his career, anchoring Central's defensive backline. He started all nine of CMU's games this season, registering 58 tackles including a season-high 11 vs. Benedictine on Oct. 24. Henley also nabbed two interceptions and deflected three passes in the season finale against MNU (11/14) and recovered a fumble for a 92-yard touchdown against Graceland on Sept. 19. 

Petrin rounded out the first team all-conference honorees, serving as Central's primary placekicker and punter in 2020. The junior from Bunnell, Fla. was stellar for the Eagles, as he was ranked No. 1 in the nation in PAT kicking percentage (1.000), No. 4 in field goals made (8), and No. 9 in scoring as a placekicker (46). He earned Heart Special Teams Player of the Week honors on three separate occassions (10/19, 11/9, and 11/16) and became the third Eagle in the last decade to be named NAIA National Player of the Week (11/16). Altogether, Petrin converted on eight-of-nine field goal attempts for 88.9-percent including a long of 48 yards, recorded 43 kickoffs for 2,292 total yads for an average of 53.3 yards/kick, and punted 50 times for an average of 32.4 yards/punt. 

Daniels was named second team all-conference for the second-straight season, appearing in eight of Central's nine games and leading the team with six sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. He also led the team with three interceptions and four forced fumbles. The Trumbull, Conn. native earned Heart Defensive Player of the Week honors on Sept. 21 after recording seven tackles, two for loss, one sack, and an interception return for a touchdown at Graceland. 

Hernandez earned Heart South Honorable Mention All-Conference honors for the first time in his career, starting all nine games and recording 70 tackles including 37 solo. He also snagged an interception and recorded a sack against Baker (10/31). Against Peru State (10/3), Hernandez recorded a season-high two sacks and collected 11 tackles vs. Grand View (10/10). 

Along with Hernandez, Walker earned honorable mention accolades after starting in eight games, recording 21 tackles and picking up two fumble recoveries. Luke rounded out the all-conference honors for Central, earning honorable mention honors after finishing the season with 25 receptions for 207 receiving yards. Overall, the Stanberry, Mo. native averaged 8.3 yards/reception including six catches for 41 yards at Missouri Valley College (10/17). 

CMU finished the 2020 season with a 5-4 overall record, their best mark since the 2014 campaign when they finished 6-5. 

To view the complete release of the Heart All-Conference award winners, please click here. 

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