BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference announced its football weekly award winners for Week 7 of the 2023 season. West Alabama took home a pair of honors as defensive lineman Davonte Jackson was named Defensive Player while kicker/punter Elijah Guyton was named Special Teams Player of the Week. Valdosta State running back G’Mone Wilson picked up Offensive Player of the Week, while Shorter running back Lanear McCrary Jr. received Freshman of the Week accolades.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
G’Mone Wilson, Jr., RB, Valdosta State
Wilson had 14 carries for 113 yards and a touchdown in Valdosta State’s 21-10 win at Mississippi College. The junior running back also finished with two catches for 31 yards, while nearly averaging 8.1 yards per carry. This was Wilson’s first 100-yard game on the ground since joining the Blazers.
Other nominees: Patrick Shegog (DSU); Cameran Brown (UWG); Bry Webb (UWA)
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Davonta Jackson, Jr., DL, West Alabama
Jackson recorded six tackles to help West Alabama’s 10-6 upset win over West Florida. Of the six stops by the junior four of them tackles for loss, totaling 12 yards. He also tallied a sack in the second quarter and forced fumble in the fourth. Jackson was a part of a defense that did not allow the UWF into the end zone for the first-time since 2016 and were held to single-digits in a game since facing the Tigers in 2018.
Other nominees: Kyle Cass (VSU); Walker Robinson (UWF); Keondre Williams (UWG); Adrian Hill (DSU), Marc Harris (SU)
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Elijah Guyton, R-Fr., K/P, West Alabama
Guyton accounted for four of West Alabama’s 10 points as the Tigers upended No. 6 West Florida, 10-6. The redshirt-freshman converted a 30-yard field goal early in the third quarter. He finished 1-for-2 in field goal attempts and was 1-for-1 in PAT kicks.
Other nominees: Griffin Cerra (UWF); Reilly Mason (UWG); Wyatt Walters (SU); Parker Burleson (DSU)
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK
Lanear McCrary Jr., Fr., RB, Shorter
McCrary totaled 179 yards of offense as he helped Shorter to a 19-13 overtime win over Clark Atlanta in non-conference action. The rookie running back finished with 168 yards on 16 carries, while also registering an 11-yard catch. McCrary scored the Hawks’ game-winning touchdown with a 25-yard run in overtime.
Other nominees: Cameran Brown (UWG)
2023 GSC FOOTBALL WEEKLY AWARD WINNERS
Offensive Player of the Week
Sept. 4: Sammy Edwards, Valdosta State
Sept. 11: Peewee Jarrett, West Florida
Sept. 18: Sammy Edwards, Valdosta State
Sept. 25: Patrick Shegog, Delta State & John Jiles, West Florida
Oct. 2: John Jiles, West Florida
Oct. 9: Kelvin Smith, Delta State
Oct. 16: G’Mone Wilson, Valdosta State
Defensive Player of the Week
Sept. 4: Artavious Washington, West Alabama
Sept. 11: John McMullen, West Florida
Sept. 18: Trey Thomas, Shorter
Sept. 25: Nick Jackson, Valdosta State
Oct. 2: Quincy Milhomme, West Florida
Oct. 9: Keondre Williams, West Georgia
Oct. 16: Davontchae Jackson, West Alabama
Special Teams Player of the Week
Sept. 4: Ben Pledger, Mississippi College
Sept. 11: Trey Sullivan, West Alabama
Sept. 18: Colin Karhu, North Greenville
Sept. 25: Trey Sullivan, West Alabama
Oct. 2: Ben Pledger, Mississippi College
Oct. 9: Reily Mason, West Georgia
Oct. 16: Elijah Guyton, West Alabama
Freshman Player of the Week
Sept. 4: Michael Merriweather, West Georgia
Sept. 11: Joshua Brown, Shorter
Sept. 18: Cameran Brown, West Georgia
Sept. 25: Ralph Ortiz, West Florida
Oct. 2: Ralph Ortiz, West Florida
Oct. 9 : Ralph Ortiz, West Florida
Oct. 16: Lanear McCrary Jr., Shorter