BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Valdosta State running back Blake Hester (offensive), West Alabama defensive lineman Davonta Jackson (defensive) and UWA punter Trey Sullivan (specialist team) earned Gulf South Conference football weekly awards for Week 2 of the 2024 season.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Blake Hester, Gr., RB, Valdosta State
Hester had three rushing touchdowns on six carries to aid Valdosta State in a 34-0 shutout over Fayetteville State. The graduate ran for 102 yards, averaging 17.0 yards per carry, including a 73-yard scamper for a touchdown. Hester helped the Blazers register 186 yards on the ground as a team, while amassing a season-high 502 yards in total yards of offense.
Other nominees: Maurice Smith, Chowan; Devontae Causey, West Alabama
Defensive Player of the Week
Davonta Jackson, DL, West Alabama
Jackson recorded four tackles on Saturday as West Alabama improved to 3-0 on the year with a 33-14 win over Limestone. The senior defensive lineman also notched 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack, forced a fumble and tallied a fumble recovery which he ran back for a 56-yard touchdown.
Other nominees: Jamorey Jones, Valdsota State
Special Teams Player of the Week
Trey Sullivan, Gr., P, West Alabama
Sullivan had a solid performance tallying six punts for 285 yards on Saturday in West Alabama’s 33-14 win over region-foe Limestone. The graduate had two punts of 50 or more yards including a 53-yarder to tie a season-long, while average 47.5 yards per kick.
Other nominees: Jakobe Lane, Chowan
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
Defensive Player of the Week
9/2: Larry Elder, LB, Valdosta State
9/9: JJ Hudson, LB, Delta State
9/16: 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
Freshman of the Week
9/2: n/a
9/9: Rodshaun Dorsey, WR, Erskine
9/16: n/a