FREELAND, Mich. -- The Albion College and Hope College football programs are crowned the 2021 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) co-champions.

Albion and Hope both concluded the 2021 regular season with a 5-1 mark in league contests.  On Saturday, November 13, Hope clinched the co-championship title with a 17-13 win at Trine, while Albion notched a 34-7 victory over Alma.

Briton quarterback Jack Bush led the team over the regular season with conference bests in completions (95), completion percentage (68.8%), yards (1,327), yards per game (265.4), touchdowns (17), and a pass efficiency rating of 184.5.  Wide receiver Justin Thomas also assisted Albion to its second-straight league title after leading the MIAA this season with 39 receptions, 554 yards, 92.3 yards per contest, and seven touchdowns.  Mitch Arendsen led the Briton defense and the conference with 9.5 sacks and 71 sack yards.

Quarterback Chase Brown led the Flying Dutchmen over the season.  Brown finished regular-season play in the MIAA’s top three for completions (81), completion percentage (64.3%), yards (1,148), and yards per game (191.3).  Running back Daniel Romano finished league play with 468 yards, 78.0 yards per game, 7.0 yards per rush, and four touchdowns.  Punter Dylan Hillger concluded the regular season as the leader in field goals made (6), longest field goal (46 yards), and points (41).

Due to Albion‘s 41-38 victory at Hope on November 6, the Britons receive the conference’s automatic bid into the 2021 NCAA Championships.

The selection show is scheduled for Sunday, November 14, at 5:30 p.m.  The first round will begin on November 20 and the National championship will be played in Canton, Ohio, on December 17.