All Mid-South Conference Football Teams Announced-Seven Wildcats Garner Honors Bethel’s Miller Named MSC Freshman Defensive POY

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. -- Mid-South Conference officials announced the 2025 All MSC Football teams and individual award winners on Thursday.

Lindsey Wilson's (Ky.) Davontaye Saunders was voted as the Craig Mullins MSC Offensive Player of the Year, Cumberland's (Tenn.) Cannon Johnson is the MSC Defensive Player of the Year, and Campbellsville's (Ky.) Tre' Bass is the MSC Special Teams Player of the Year.

A vote of the Mid-South Conference coaches selects the individual awards and all-conference teams. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players.

In addition to the players of the year, Cumberlands' (Ky.) Michael Petty and Lindsey Wilson's  Tate Rice are the MSC Co-Offensive Freshmen of the Year and Bethel's (Tenn.) Durrell Miller is the MSC Defensive Freshman of the Year. Lindsey Wilson's Phil Kleckler is the 2025 Ron Finley MSC Coach of the Year, while Lindsey Wilson's Jay Bright is the MSC Assistant Coach of the Year.

Saunders helped the Blue Raiders (9-1) capture the Mid-South Conference regular season title while leading the MSC and the NAIA in rushing, averaging 146.4 rushing yards per game. His 17 rushing touchdowns also lead the MSC and rank fifth in the NAIA. Saunders has amassed a conference-best 1,464 rushing yards this season, entering postseason play.

Johnson led the Mid-South Conference with 45 solo tackles this season while helping the Phoenix to a 7-4 record. His 68 tackles and 11 tackles for a loss both rank second in the conference. Johnson also ranks in the top five in the MSC in interceptions (2) and tackles per game (6.2).

Bass was an instrumental part of the Campbellsville special teams kick return and kick coverage units. He recorded five tackles on special teams this season, while forcing a fumble. He was also a key contributor to the Campbellsville kickoff return team that averaged 24.7 return yards per kickoff, including a pair of kickoff return touchdowns. The MSC Special Teams Player of the Year is a new award in the Mid-South Conference this season.

Petty averaged 64.1 receiving yards per game, which ranks fifth in the MSC this season. He amassed 35 receptions, including catching seven touchdowns -- tied for second in the conference. Rice averaged 195.4 passing yards per outing while completing 65.6 percent of his passes this season. His 24 touchdown passes rank third in the MSC this season while throwing just four interceptions. Miller is tied for eighth in the conference, averaging six tackles per game. He finished 2025 with 48 tackles, 3-1/2 tackles for a loss, two pass breakups, and one interception.

Kleckler earns his first Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year honor after guiding Lindsey Wilson to the program's sixth regular-season conference title. Lindsey Wilson enters the NAIA Football Championship Series with a 9-1 record and the No. 7 seed in the playoffs.

Bright was voted as the MSC Assistant Coach of the Year in his first season at Lindsey Wilson. He led a Blue Raider offense that averaged a conference-best 43.6 points per game and 456 yards per outing -- which was second best in the MSC. Bright earns his second assistant coach of the year honor.

Sixty players earned all-conference honors, 30 on the first team and another 30 on the second team.

2025 First Team All Mid-South Conference:

2025 Second Team All Mid-South Conference: