GSC Announces Football Players of the Week, Sept. 8

9/8/2014 10:00:00 AM

Birmingham, AL--Florida Tech quarterback Mark Cato and West Georgia linebacker Tyrell Adams have been named the Gulf South Conference Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week for games played in Week One of the 2014 season. Valdosta State punter/placekicker Anthony Pistelli was tabbed the Special Teams Player of the Week and FIT's Cato took home the league's first-ever Freshman of the Week honor.
                    Cato turned-in a breakout performance in his first career game, having a hand in six of the Panthers' seven touchdowns in Saturday's 54-12 victory at Stetson. The Alachua, Fla. native was 7-for-15 through the air for 191 yards and four touchdowns and posted an efficiency rating of 228.3. Cato did not stop there, ranking second on the team in rushing, compiling 63 yards on 19 carries with two TDs. His first pass attempt resulted in a 69-yard touchdown that set the school-record for the longest scoring pass in a game. Cato became FIT's first-ever GSC Offensive winner since joining the league in 2013. Cato's performance also earned him his second weekly honor by nabbing the league's first-ever Freshman of the Week laurel.
                    Adams secured UWG's first Defensive honor since 2012 after spearheading the Wolves' defense in a 38-26 home victory over in-region Mars Hill. The senior racked up a game-high tying seven total tackles led by three solo stops and three tackles for a loss of 15 yards. The Atlanta, Ga. native also posted two sacks for 14 yards, forced one fumble and recorded one quarterback hurry.
                    Pistelli turned-in a stellar performance in all four phases of VSU's kicking game in the Blazers' 38-10 home win over in-state, in-region rival Albany State. The sophomore opened the scoring at 2:10 in the first quarter, booting a career-high 45-yard field goal on his lone attempt of the day. The Thomasville, Ga. native was a perfect 5-for-5 on point-after attempts and he booted seven kickoffs for 444 yards (63.9 avg.) and one touchback. Lastly, Pistelli was called upon to punt in the second half, booming two balls for 100 yards and a touchback headlined by a 62-yarder in his first career attempt.

Also nominated for Offensive Player of the Week: Casey Osborne (Delta State, WR); Javae Swindle (West Alabama, RB); Dallas Dickey (West Georgia, QB)

Also nominated for Defensive Player of the Week: Tevin Davis (Valdosta State, DE); Jason Kollock (Florida Tech, LB); Fred Barnes (West Alabama, SS)

Also nominated for Special Teams Player of the Week: Brion Ashley (Florida Tech, K/P); Mark Grant (West Alabama, K); James Dugan (West Georgia, P)

Also nominated for Freshman of the Week: Harley Vaughan (West Georgia, OT)

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