BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — North Greenville linebacker De’Iveon Donald (defensive), Delta State quarter Garrett Ames (freshman), in addition to Valdosta State running back Blake Hester (offensive) and punter Noah Botsford (special teams) were each recognized with Gulf South Conference football weekly awards following their Week 11 performances of the 2024 season.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Blake Hester, Gr., RB, Valdosta State
Hester led Valdosta State to its first outright GSC title since 2019, in a 28-7 win over No. 16 West Florida on Saturday. The graduate running back rushed for 118 yards on 21 carries. His longest run of the night was a 21-yard sprint that resulted in his 11th touchdown of the season.
Other nominees: Maurice Smith, Chowan; Curtis Rearden, Delta State; Bry Webb, West Florida
Defensive Player of the Week:
De’Iveon Donald, Sr., LB, North Greenville
Donald helped North Greenville to a 31-27 win in the season finale against Chowan. The senior linebacker finished with a team-high eight tackles, included five solo stops, and one tackle for loss good for four yards. He’s weekly ledger also included a forced fumble and fumble recovery.
Other nominees: Isaiah Pelham, Chowan; Jamorey Jones, Valdosta State, Trevon Lambert, West Alabama
Special Teams Player of the Week:
Noah Botsford, So., P, Valdosta State
Botsford helped the Blazers to a 28-7 win over No. 16 West Florida on Saturday. The sophomore averaged 51.7 yards as he had three punts totaling 155 yards. The performance was highlighted by a career-long 61-yard punt and accompanied with two kicks inside the 20. Botsford also accounted for three of VSU’s five kicks off in game totaling 138 yard.
Other nominees: Nick Herber, Delta State; Kendrick Clark, North Greenville; Elijah Guyton, West Alabama
Freshman of the Week:
Garrett Ames, Fr., QB, Delta State
Ames threw his first collegiate touchdown on Saturday helping Delta State retain the Heritage Bell with a 20-14 win over Mississippi College. The rookie quarterback was 5-for-5 passing and threw for 85 yards, while rushing for eight yards on three carries.
Other nominees: none
2024 GSC Football Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
9/2: Sammy Edwards, QB, Valdosta State
9/9: Cole Kirk, QB, Delta State
9/16: Blake Hester, RB, Valdosta State
9/23: Alfonso Franklin, RB, Valdosta State
9/30: Javier Batiste, WR, Mississippi College
10/7: Sammy Edwards, QB, Valdosta State
10/14: Marcus Stokes, QB, West Florida
10/21: Dre’ Williams, WR, North Greenville
10/28: Dre’ Williams, WR, North Greenville
11/4: Tony Bartalo, QB, West Florida
11/11: Marcus Williams, RB, Mississippi College
11/18: Blake Hester, RB, Valdosta State
Defensive Player of the Week
9/2: Larry Elder, DB, Valdosta State
9/9: JJ Hudson, LB, Delta State
9/16: Davonta Jackson, DL, West Alabama
9/23: Lamar Gray, DB, West Alabama
9/30: Kam Canterbury, DB, West Florida
10/7: Ahmir Taylor, DL, Delta State & Larry Elder, DB, Valdosta State
10/14: Delawrence Butler, LB, West Alabama
10/21: Larry Elder, DB, Valdosta State
10/28: Ja’Kobe Clinton, LB, West Florida
11/4: Davonta Jackson, DL, West Alabama
11/11: Collin Shaw, DL, West Florida
11/18: De’Iveon Donald, LB, North Greenville
Special Teams Player of the Week
9/2: Elijah Guyton, K, West Alabama
9/9: Virgil Lemons, RS, West Florida
9/16: Trey Sullivan, P, West Alabama
9/23: Elijah Guyton, K, West Alabama
9/30: n/a
10/7: Jonathan James, DB, Delta State
10/14: Trey Sullivan, P, West Alabama
10/21: Trey Sullivan, P, West Alabama
10/28: Brandon Bowman, K, North Greenville
11/4: Virgil Lemons, RS, West Florida
11/11: Joko Willis, LB, Valdosta State
11/18: Noah Botsford, P, Valdosta State
Freshman of the Week
9/2: n/a
9/9: Rodshaun Dorsey, WR, Erskine
9/16: n/a
9/23: Tyshon Mansell, WR, North Greenville
9/30: n/a
10/7: Nick Clark, RB, Delta State
10/14: Corey Scott, WR, West Florida
10/21: Tyshon Mansell, WR, North Greenville
10/28: Brandon Bowman, K, North Greenville
11/4: Lorenzo Payne, DL, West Florida
11/11: Preston Godfrey, RB, Mississippi College
11/18: Garrett Ames, QB, Delta State