After an historic 2021 campaign, the Central Methodist football program landed at No. 14 in the NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Postseason poll. This was announced by the national office last week.

It marks the highest-ever ranking for the Eagles' football program in its history.

Central joins four other Heart schools that were either featured or mentioned in the Top 25 including, No. 2 Grand View, No. 13 Baker, and Culver-Stockton which received voted but not enough to be in the top 25. 

The Eagles claimed their first conference championship since 1975 with a 9-3 overall record and a perfect 5-0 mark in Heart South Division play. The nine wins tied for the most victories in school history, with the last nine-win season coming 91 years ago in 1930 (9-0). As the Heart South Division Champion, the Eagles also clinched their first-ever berth into the NAIA-FCS playoffs.

Central garnered 13 Heart All-Conference selections including the Heart Freshman of the Year, Paxton DeLaurent, and Coach of the Year David Calloway. The Eagles also made noise on the national stage as senior wide receiver Katavious Taylor and senior defensive lineman Will Miles were named NAIA Honorable Mention All-Americans.

Taylor concluded his career as a four-time NAIA All-American, the first CMU football player ever to do so.

Overall, Central was a perfect 6-0 at Davis Field. Highlights include notable upset victories over, at the time, Benedictine College and No. 5 Baker.