Southland Conference Announces Football Players of the Week
Southland Conference
Football Weekly Release (PDF)
FRISCO, Texas – Sam Houston State senior running back Donavan Williams, Southeastern Louisiana junior defensive back Harlan Miller and UIW junior punt returner Jordan Hicks earned Southland Conference Football Player of the Week honors presented by UniversalCoin.com, the league office announced Monday. Williams took offensive honors while Miller was named defensive player of the week and Hicks was tabbed the top special teams player.
Offensive Player of the Week: Donavan Williams, Sam Houston State
Williams became the seventh player in Sam Houston State history to score four touchdowns in a single game as Sam Houston State fell 59-45 to Texas Tech. The senior from Belton, Texas (Belton H.S.), had 12 carries for 99 yards on a day in which Sam Houston’s offense churned out 671 yards of total offense.
Honorable Mention: Julius Maracalin, Southeastern Louisiana; Zach Conque, Stephen F. Austin; Trent Brittain, UIW; Max Staver, Houston Baptist; Joe Minden, Lamar.
Defensive Player of the Week: Harlan Miller, Southeastern Louisiana
Miller played an important role in Southeastern Louisiana’s defensive effort that held Northwestern State to only 259 total yards in the Lions’ 34-20 season-opening win. The junior from Kentwood, La. (Kentwood H.S.), intercepted two passes, his first multi-interception game of his career. The STATS FCS Defensive Player of the Year candidate, who is ninth in Southeastern history with nine career interceptions, also had four total tackles in the game.
Honorable Mention: Josh Jones, Houston Baptist; Myke Tavarres, UIW; Larance Hale, Lamar; Devin Spurlock, Central Arkansas.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Jordan Hicks, UIW
Hicks, a junior from Arlington, Texas (Juan Seguin H.S.), was the key component in UIW’s 18-16 win over Texas A&M-Kingsville. With the Cardinals trailing 9-3 in the third quarter, Hicks returned a punt 66 yards for a touchdown. It was the first punt return for a touchdown in school history. Hicks, who had 118 all-purpose yards, also scored the game-winning touchdown on a 14-yard reception.
Honorable Mention: Brandon Taylor, Houston Baptist; Luc Swimberghe, Sam Houston State; Jatavious Wilson, Central Arkansas.
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.