BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Valdosta State running back Alfonso Franklin (offensive), North Greenville wide receiver Tyshon Mansell (freshman) and West Alabama duo Lamar Gray (defensive) and Elijah Guyton (specialist team) earned Gulf South Conference football weekly awards for Week 3 of the 2024 season.
Offensive Player of the Week:
Alfonso Franklin, Sr., RB, Valdosta State
Franklin rushed for three touchdowns and 131 yards on 10 carries helping Valdosta State to a 73-0 win over Erskine to open the conference-opener. The senior longest touchdown run of the day went was for 38 yards and set the new school-record for points in a game.
Other nominees: Cole Kirk, Delta State; Dylan Ramirez, North Greenville; Spencer Arcenceaux, West Alabama; Marcus Stokes, West Florida
Defensive Player of the Week
Lamar Gray, Gr., DB, West Alabama
Gray had a standout performance for West Alabama, helping the No. 23 Tigers down No. 12 West Florida, 35-33, in double overtime on the road. The graduate finished with four tackles, including three solo stops and two for loss. He also recorded an interception in the third and fourth quarter, with his pick in the third leading to UWA touchdown.
Other nominees: Marlon Windham, Delta State; Termaine Epps, North Greenville; Caden Campolieti, Valdosta State; Will Breland, West Florida
Special Team Player of the Week
Elijah Guyton, Gr., K, West Alabama
Guyton accounted for nine points as No. 23 West Alabama defeated No. 12 West Florida, 35-33, in double overtime in Pensacola. The sophomore was 3-for-3 in point after touchdown kicks and 2-for-2 in field goals with conversations of 21 and 29 yards. This was Guyton's second weekly award of the season after previously being recognized on Sept. 2.
Other nominees: none
Freshman of the Week
Tyshon Mansell, Fr., WR, North Greenville
Mansell was sure-handed in North Greenville’s 29-7 win over Mississippi College on Saturday in the conference-opener. The rookie tallied two catches for 100 yards. His longest catch of the day went for 71 yards resulting in his first career touchdown.
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
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
9/23: Lamar Gray, DB, 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
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