BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The Gulf South Conference announced its football weekly award winners following Week 9 of the 2024 season. West Florida trio Tony Bartalo (offensive), Virgil Lemons (special teams) and Lorenzo Payne (freshman) were recognized after a record win, while West Alabama’s Davonta Jackson (defensive) was tabbed after a notable effort on Saturday.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Tony Bartalo, Jr., QB, West Florida
Bartalo had a career-day leading No. 21 West Florida to a 70-0 road win over Erskine on Saturday. The junior was 15-for-22 through the air with 267 yards, while tossing six touchdown passes. He leads the GSC in single-game touchdown passes this season and tied third among Division II leaders in the same category.
Other nominees: Sammy Edwards, Valdosta State; Spencer Arceneaux, West Alabama
Defensive Player of the Week
Davonta Jackson, Sr., DL, West Alabama
Jackson had a productive week as No. 18 West Alabama held off North Greenville on Saturday, 17-14. The senior defensive lineman recorded five tackles, four unassisted tackles for loss, a sack and tallied an interception for good measure. With Jackson at helm, the Tigers stifled the Trailblazers ground game hold them to 59 rushing yards. This is Jackson’s second time being named GSC Defensive Player of the Week this season, after winning the award on September 16.
Other nominees: Larry Elder, Valdosta State; Lorenzo Payne, West Florida
Special Teams Player of the Week:
Virgil Lemons, Sr., RS, West Florida
Lemons had a notable day in the Argonauts big win on Saturday at Erskine. The senior return specialist recorded 198 yards on seven punt returns and highlighted by a 57-yard touchdown, his second of the season. Following that performance, Lemons leads Division II in punt return yards (602) and yards returned per punt (25.1), while ranking second in touchdowns. This is Lemons’ second GSC Special Team Player of the Week award of the season, after winning it on September 9.
Other nominees: Elijah Guyton, West Alabama
Freshman of the Week:
Lorenzo Payne, Fr., DL, West Florida
Payne led the West Florida defense in a dominating win over Erskine. The rookie defensive lineman notched six tackles – 1 solo, 5 assisted – in the effort. He also recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks, while he and the Argo defense surrendered just 17 yards of offense, tied for second-fewest in GSC history. Payne is the second honoree from West Florida to claim GSC Freshman of the Week award this season, following teammate Corey Scott on October 14.
Other nominees: n/a
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
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
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
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