GSC Announces Football Players of the Week, November 3

11/3/2014 10:00:00 AM

Birmingham, AL--Florida Tech wide receiver Xavier Milton and FIT linebacker J.J. Sanders have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week Nine of the 2014 season. West Georgia return specialist Denarius Appling was also tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week and Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato earned the Freshman of the Week.
                    Milton earns his first-ever honor and is FIT's second Offensive winner of the season. The senior led the Panthers to a thrilling 34-30 victory at Shorter by hauling in the game-winning, 41-yard touchdown pass as time expired. The Alameda, CA native accounted for 10 of Florida Tech's 19 pass completions for a game-high 168 yards and three TDs. Milton gave FIT the lead with his first two scores, making the score 14-10 at 2:45 in the third quarter via a three-yarder followed by a 42-yarder with 11:53 left to play which made the score 21-17. Milton became just the third GSC player to record a trio of TD catches in a game this season.
                    Sanders takes home his second laurel of the year, spearheading Florida Tech's defense in the 34-30 win at Shorter. The junior registered a game-best 15 total tackles, led eight solo stops and headlined by 2.5 tackles for a loss of 24 yards. The Columbus, OH native also tallied one sack for eight yards.
                    Appling collects his sixth all-time Special Teams honor, second this season, after a school-record performance in UWG's 55-10 home win over Mississippi College. The senior recorded 105 total return yards on one kickoff return and five punt returns. The Griffin, Ga. native returned five punts for 79 yards and took back one kickoff for 26 yards versus MC. Appling's punt yardage was enough to make him the first-ever UWG player to surpass 1,000 yards in a career and he also moved into sole possession of third place in the GSC Record Books.
                    Cato posts his seventh Freshman accolade of the year after helping lead FIT to its 34-30 win at Shorter. The Alachua, Fla. native completed 18-of-31 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns, capped by the game-winning, 41-yard toss to Xavier Milton as time expired.

Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: D'Juan Bellaire (Delta State, RB); Seth Hinsley (West Georgia, RB)

Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Rory Island (Delta State, LB)

Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: None

Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: None

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