Gulf South Conference

GSC Announces Football Players of the Week, October 13

10/13/2014 8:00:00 AM

Birmingham, AL--Valdosta State quarterback Jake Medlock and West Alabama strong safety Fred Barnes have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week Six of the 2014 season.  North Alabama punter/placekicker Taylor Pontius was also tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week and Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato earned the Freshman of the Week.
                    Medlock collects his second award of the year after leading VSU to a 40-6 home upset of No. 21 West Georgia on Saturday.  The senior personally outgained the Wolves' offense, combining for 376 total yards while also scoring four touchdowns on the day.  The Jacksonville, Fla. native completed 10-of-18 passes for 231 yards and connected on TD strikes of six, 19 and 68 yards.  Medlock did not stop there, leading all players with 145 yards on the ground headlined by the game's longest rush of 52 yards which he followed with a two-yard TD run.
                    Barnes is the first UWA defender to take home honors this season. The senior strong safety made an impact on the ground and in the air for the Tigers in their last second, 33-32 home setback to Florida Tech.  Barnes racked up nine total tackles led by seven solo stops and an assisted tackle for a loss.  The College Park, Ga. native also made an impact in pass coverage, picking off two passes for 67 yards along with three passes defended and one pass break up.
                    Pontius claims his second Special Teams laurel in three weeks after an impressive performance in all phases of UNA's kicking game in the Lions' 27-6 road win over UNC-Pembroke.  The Biloxi, Miss. native connected on both of his field goal efforts and all three of his PAT kicks.  Pontius extended UNA's lead to 10-3 with a 37-yarder in the first quarter and then made the score 13-6 via a 27-yarder in the third frame.  The senior booted six punts for 266 yards, led by a long of 54 yards and three punts downed at the UNCP 3, 5 and 13-yard lines.  Pontius also booted six kickoffs for 389 yards with four touchbacks.
                    Cato secures his fifth Freshman accolade of the year after leading FIT to a come-from-behind, 33-32 win at West Alabama. The Alachua, Fla. native completed 20-of-43 passes for 239 yards and two touchdowns and he also finished second on the team with 59 yards on 11 carries.  Cato engineered the game-winning, 77-yard drive with just 1:35 left to play, extending the drive with two scrambles for 43 yards and icing the victory via a five-yard scoring strike to Gabe Hughes with two seconds on the clock.
 
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Gabe Hughes (Florida Tech, TE); Delvon Carpenter (North Alabama, WR); Kyle Caldwell (West Alabama, QB);
 
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Landry Tullo (Delta State, LB); Jake Holsinger (Florida Tech, DB); Jalan Jones (North Alabama, DT); Jordan Shaw (Shorter, S)
 
Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Anthony Pistelli (Valdosta State, K); Mark Grant (West Alabama, K); James Dugan (West Georgia, P)
 
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Jacob Thomas (North Alabama, QB)