UMHB's Jones and Bailey Sweep Player of the Year Honors - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor football team placed eight players on the D3football.com All-South Region Team, released today. The Cru had four First Team selections, two Second Team picks and two Third Team honorees. UMHB also swept the South Region Player of the Year awards with senior linebacker Javicz Jones taking Defensive Player of the Year honors and senior quarterback LiDarral Bailey claiming Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Jones, a senior linebacker from Katy Morton Ranch High School, took D3football.com South Region Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second straight year and also earned a spot on the All-South Region First Team Defensive. Jones leads the Cru with 125 tackles this season and broke the UMHB and American Southwest Conference career tackle record this year. He also has a school record seven interceptions, 11.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, three forced fumbles, two blocked kicks and six pass break-ups. Jones has four defensive touchdowns and a safety on the season.

Bailey, a senior quarterback from Bremond High School, claimed D3football.com Offensive Player of the Year honors and also earned a spot on the All-South Region First Team Offense. Bailey has shattered every UMHB single-season passing record this season, hitting 186-257 passes for 2,529 yards and 30 touchdowns. He has thrown just three interceptions and ranks second in the country in pass efficiency. Bailey also leads the team in rushing with 937 yards and 13 touchdowns on 133 carries.

Bailey was joined on the All-South Region First Team Offense by guard Michael Coles and tackle Sam Maxie. Coles, a senior from San Antonio Stevens High School, is the team's highest-grading offensive lineman. Maxie, a senior from Austin Bowie High School, ranks right behind Coles and the duo helps clear the way for a rushing attack that averages 306.5 rushing yards and 542.3 yards of total offense per game.

Defensive tackle Silvio Diaz and safety Mike Maldonado were both named to the Second Team All-South Region Defense. Diaz, a junior from Leander High School, leads UMHB with 16.0 tackles for loss and eight sacks. He also has 51 total tackles and two pass break-ups. Maldonado, a senior from El Paso Del Valle High School, has 70 tackles, 5.0 tackles for loss, two interceptions and a team-high four forced fumbles.

Tight end Tyler Coker and running back Elijah Hudson were both Third Team All-Region Offensive selections. Coker, a senior from Salado High School, is a punishing blocker and also has 10 receptions for 125 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Hudson, a junior from Albany High School, has 664 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and 25 catches for 357 yards and another score.

The D3football.com All-Region Teams are selected in balloting of Sports Information Directors and D3football.com staff members. Bailey and Jones become the first teammates to sweep South Region Player of the Year honors since Wesley College accomplished that feat in 2006. Washington and Jefferson head coach Mike Sirianni was named South Region Coach of the Year.

UMHB is 13-0 on the season and will face top-ranked Mount Union in the NCAA Division III National Semifinals this Saturday in Alliance, Ohio. The Cru is 13-0 for the first time in school history and has already tied the school and conference record for wins in a season.