Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Southland Conference
FRISCO, Texas – Central Arkansas senior running back Blake Veasley, UIW senior linebacker Myke Tavarres and Northwestern State senior wide receiver/return specialist Ed Eagan earned Southland Conference Football Player of the Week honors presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league office announced Monday. Veasley took offensive honors while Tavarres was named defensive player of the week and Eagan was tabbed the top special teams player.
Offensive Player of the Week: Blake Veasley, Central Arkansas
Veasley shattered the Central Arkansas school record for carries (49) and rushing yards (292) in the Bears’ 35-17 win over Lamar. The senior from Cherry Valley, Ark. (Cross Country H.S.), also had four rushing touchdowns in the game. Veasley, who broke the school mark by 44 yards, has the fifth-best single-game rushing performance in Southland history.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Sams, McNeese State; Jalen Overstreet, Sam Houston State; Junior Sessions, UIW.
Defensive Player of the Week: Myke Tavarres, UIW
Tavarres was the leader of the UIW defense with a team-high 11 tackles in the Cardinals’ 25-20 win against Abilene Christian. The senior from Lake Oswego, Ore. (Lake Ridge H.S.), had a season-high 4.5 tackles for loss, including 1.5 sacks. He now has the UIW record with 18.5 tackles for loss and is tied with the school mark with 6.5 sacks. Tavarres also recorded two quarterback hurries and a pass breakup in the win.
Honorable Mention: Tremon Smith, Central Arkansas; La’Travien Gee, Houston Baptist; P.J. Hall, Sam Houston State; Miki Fangatua, Southeastern Louisiana.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Ed Eagan, Northwestern State
Eagan, a senior from New Orleans, La. (Holy Cross H.S.), returned the opening kickoff back 97 yards for a touchdown in Northwestern State game against McNeese State. Eagan had five kick returns for 171 yards and added 70 yards on four receptions. He broke the Northwestern State’s career all-purpose record and now has 5,095 for his career, which puts him fifth on the Southland career list.
Honorable Mention: Christian Guzman, Houston Baptist; Matt Spencer, Central Arkansas; Harrison Heim, Southeastern Louisiana.
Each school’s sports information director nominates and votes for the players of the week, though is not permitted to vote for his own player. To receive honorable mention, a player must receive votes from 25 percent of the Southland sports information directors.