GSC Announces Football Players of the Week, Sept. 15
Valdosta State quarterback/punter Jake Medlock and Shorter safety Jordan Shaw have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week Two of the 2014 season. VSU's Medlock was also tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week and Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato took home the Freshman of the Week.
Medlock led No. 23 Valdosta State to a 22-17 upset win over No. 12 Winston-Salem State on neutral ground in Powder Springs, Ga. The senior compiled 238 yards of total offense, passing for 162 yards and rushing 14 times for 76 yards. Medlock completed 16-of-27 passes for a 59.3 percentage and also logged an efficiency rating of 109.7. The Jacksonville, Fla. native scored the first points of the game, running in a one-yard TD just three seconds into the second quarter.
Shaw became the first-ever Shorter Hawk to win a GSC Player of the Week laurel. The junior spearheaded SU's defense in the Hawks' 27-20 victory at Mars Hill, setting a school record for interceptions in a game nabbing three picks for 115 yards and one touchdown. Shaw's is the 12th player in league history to grabbed three INTs in a game his 115 yards is the third-most in GSC history. The Jasper, Ga. native gave the Hawks a lead that they never relinquished when he reeled off the 100-yard score at 5:08 in the first quarter. Shaw did not stop there, leading the team with 11 total tackles, seven of which came in solo efforts.
Medlock also turned-in a stellar performance in special teams work for the Blazers, booming seven punts for 335 yards for a 47.9 average. Two of his punts traveled over 50 yards, led by a 75-yarder which stood as the 8th longest in GSC history. For the day, Medlock forced three touchbacks and landed three more punts inside WSSU's 20-yard line.
Cato earns his second consecutive Freshman award, leading the Panthers to a 42-6 revenge victory over in-state foe Ave Maria. The Alachua, Fla. native completed 10-of-23 passes for a 43.5 percentage. He threw for 179 yards and three touchdowns led by a 57-yard strike late in the third quarter.
Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Aaron George (Florida Tech, WR); Luke Wingo (North Alabama, QB); Kyle Caldwell (West Alabama, QB)
Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Trai Cadore (Florida Tech, S); Jalan Jones (North Alabama, DL); Bryson Brindle (Valdosta State, DE); Jared Washington (West Alabama, NG); Darrius Caldwell (West Georgia, DE)
Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Taylor Pontius (North Alabama, K/P); Jordan Ikner (West Alabama, P); James Dugan (West Georgia, P)
Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Rashaad Lee (West Alabama, RB)
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