Lions Picked as Favorite to Win Third HCAC Title in A Row

CARMEL, Indiana - The Mount St. Joseph football team has been selected as the preseason favorite in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference this season. In a vote of the HCAC's coaches, the Lions received six of a possible seven first place votes.

Coach Hopperton and the Lions return a large chunk of talent from a team that went 9-1 in the regular season last year, and secured their second consecutive HCAC title. Offensively the Lions return four of five starting offensive lineman. The quartet of Colin Kandra, Devin Salyers, Aiden Stuteville and Donnie Lewis will be joined up front by sophomore Washington Ewen.

Senior Tyler Prather will take over the reigns of the Lions prolific offense. Prather is poised to continue the Lions outstanding run of play at the quarterback position, leading a talented group of returning skill players. Wide receivers Kadin Pollard, Zane Dine, Ari Turner, Joe Key and Michael Hunkus return and the Lions expect to see transfer Eli Aston make a big contribution as well. All three tightends return, led by two-time All-HCAC selection Gary Powell III, joining him once again will be Eli LaFrange and Dylan Novak. The backfield will be led by a trio of returners, Jackson Gifford, Johnny Rager and Devin Holt will get the bulk off the work at running back this season.

Defensively the Lions return a ton of talent, led by the defensive line group. Returning All-HCAC selections Decklan Brophy and Jack Tucker will lead a group with a ton of experience in the blue and gold. The group of Brady Buller, Brock Harris, Jackson Pruit, Bear Newbolt and Cam Fuller have all made contributions over the past few seasons. The linebacker group will look a little different, but the group has all played meaningful snaps. Brady Pierce the Lions standout star returns to lead the group, joined by Nicholas Paff, Evan Schlensker, Carter Lindemann and Luke Paff. The defensive backfield also returns a group who has played alot of football, Andrew Pierce and Jonah Smith return at cornerback and Nate Austin at safety. 

The Lions will open play on September 7th at home vs. Muskingum.  


Returning All-HCAC Performers
Mount St. Joseph

Name	Class	Hometown	Position
Decklan Brophy	SR	Knoxville, Tenn.	DE
Collin Kandra	SR	Cincinnati, Ohio	OT
Brady Pierce	SO	Thompson Station, Tenn.	DB
Gary Powell III	SR	Mt. Orab, Ohio	TE
Devin Salyers	SR	Bright, Ind.	OL
Jack Tucker	SR	Cincinnati, Ohio	DT
Ari Turner	SR	Cincinnati, Ohio	WR

2024 HCAC Players to Watch
Mount St. Joseph

Name	Class	Hometown	Position
Brady Buller	SR	Cincinnati, Ohio	DE
Jackson Gifford	SR	Hamilton, Ohio	RB
Tyler Prather	SR	Cincinnati, Ohio	QB