RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – The Great American Conference announced the football players of the week for the second week of the season. Two freshmen - Henderson State’s Maddox Davis and Arkansas Tech’s Bennett Roberts - captured the Offensive and Special Teams honors. Oklahoma Baptist’s Chase Whitebear earned the Defensive Player accolade.
#theGAC FOOTBALL OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Maddox Davis, WR, Henderson State, Fr., Benton, Arkansas
Davis hauled in nine passes for 219 yards and a touchdown in the Reddies’ 28-14 road win against Oklahoma Baptist. He opened the scoring with a 94-yard reception. The 219 receiving yards represented the most by a GAC receiver since former Reddie All-American L’Liott Curry totaled 228 against Arkansas-Monticello on September 18, 2021.
#theGAC FOOTBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Chase Whitebear, CB, Oklahoma Baptist, Sr., Haslet, Texas
Whitebear came up with two turnovers against Henderson State. He collected the sixth interception of his career when he picked off a pass in the end zone. He added a fourth-quarter fumble recovery with the Reddies in Bison territory. He led the team with eight total tackles.
#theGAC FOOTBALL SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Bennett Roberts, LB, Arkansas Tech, Fr., Gentry, Arkansas
Roberts blocked a pair of punts in the Wonder Boys’ 44-0 win against Northwestern Oklahoma State. The first block came on the Rangers’ third punt of the game. The second block led to Tech’s third touchdown of the game. The Wonder Boys posted their first shutout in their home opener since 2016. He added six total tackles, including four solo stops.
OTHERS NOMINATED
Braden Jay, RB (Harding), Bryson Roland, RB (Arkansas Tech), Cade Searcy, RB (East Central), Nate TenBarge, QB (Ouachita Baptist), Katrevion Thomas, RB (Southern Arkansas), Garrett Vaughn, WR (Oklahoma Baptist)
Justin Crutchmer, LB (Ouachita Baptist), Clark Griffin, LB (Harding), Bryant Hammond II, DB (Henderson State), Kendrick Juniel, LB (Southern Arkansas), Justin McCray, DE (East Central), Tyriq Taiwo, DB (Arkansas Tech)
Dax Jaggers, K (Ouachita Baptist), Brody Johnson, P (Oklahoma Baptist), Magnus Lepak, K (Harding), Alexander McGregor, K (East Central)
A three-person committee selects all GAC Athlete of the Week awards