by Alan Babbitt
Hope College safety Brady Howe helped forge the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association co-champion Hope College football team into the league's No. 1 scoring defense.
The junior from Holland, Michigan (Holland Christian HS) earned All-MIAA First Team honors for the first time in his career from the league's coaches.
Howe headlines a group of three Flying Dutchmen who made the 2021 All-MIAA Defensive Teams. Linebackers Toby Hulst and Jeremiah Purnell are second-team selections.
On offense, Hope placed receiver Terrell Harris, right tackle Brady Eding, and left tackle Luke Marsh on the All-MIAA First Team and H-back Lou Baechler, left guard Dylan Clem, receiver TJ McKenzie Jr., and running back Daniel Romano on the All-MIAA Second Team.
Howe patrolled the defensive backfield for Hope but also helped in run support. The special education major led the Flying Dutchmen and finished seventh in the MIAA with 71 tackles in 10 games.
Hope allowed a league-low 14.5 points per game and placed third in total defense at 297.1 yards per game.
Howe broke up four passes this season, two of which were against MIAA foes. He also intercepted one pass, which came in league play.
Hulst finished fourth on Hope with 40 tackles, including 27 against MIAA opponents. The senior from Caledonia, Michigan (South Christian) also recorded two pass breakups this season.
Purnell placed fifth on the Flying Dutchmen with 37 tackles, including 33 in MIAA play. The senior from Dorr, Michigan (Wyoming) also was second on the team with eight tackles for loss and 3 ½ sacks.
