Huntingdon’s Taylor earns USA South Athlete of the Week honor

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon senior football player Chip Taylor was recognized with the release of the USA South Athletic Conference's Athletes of the Week on Monday.

The Hawks' quarterback was named the Football Offensive Player of the Week.

Taylor accounted for 281 yards of offense and had a hand in Huntingdon's first three touchdowns in a 38-10 win over Brevard College. Taylor completed 12-of-14 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 35 yards and a touchdown on four carries.

Taylor threw a 53-yard touchdown pass and a 9-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to give the Hawks a 14-3 lead. Still leading 14-3 in the third quarter, Taylor scored on an 11-yard run to open the second-half scoring.

Despite missing one full game and part of another game with an injury, Taylor has thrown for 904 yards and seven touchdowns this season and rushed for three touchdowns. He is fourth in the USA South in passing yards, second in passing yards per game and fifth in touchdown passes.

Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.

FOOTBALL

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Chip Taylor, Huntingdon - The senior quarterback from Greenville, Alabama compiled 281 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a 38-10 victory over USA South foe Brevard last week. Taylor was 12-of-14 passing for 246 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. He also ran the ball four times for 35 yards and one touchdown. Also Nominated: Brian Mann, Ferrum; Sean Bowman, Averett; Elijah Chenier, Maryville.

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Elijah Hairston, Maryville - The freshman running back from Hiram, Georgia carried the ball 14 times for a career-high 95 yards with one touchdown in a 48-6 victory over USA South foe Greensboro last week. Hairston averaged 6.8 yards per carry and gained 16 yards on his longest run. Also Nominated: Drew Davis, Ferrum; Denarius Hilton, Averett; Djeimon Owens, LaGrange.

Football Defensive Player of the Week 
Dejon Brooks, Averett - The Clinton, Maryland junior linebacker tallied a co-team high ten tackles with a fumble return for a touchdown in a 27-24 victory over USA South rival LaGrange last week. Brooks caused a fumble in the second quarter, scooped up and carried it five yards for a Cougar score. Of his ten tackles, two were of the solo variety while one resulted in a loss of two yards. Also Nominated: Antonio Johnson, N.C. Wesleyan; Trey Melton, Maryville; Rod Smith, Ferrum.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Tariq Thomas, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman defensive back from Longwood, North Carolina totaled seven tackles, two pass breakups and his first career interception in a 17-7 loss to USA South foe Ferrum last week. Thomas collected five solo tackles and two assisted take downs. His interception came deep in Bishop terriorty to stop a potential scoring drive. Also Nominated: Bo Hering, Maryville; Garrett Stacks, Huntingdon.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Cole Westberry, Averett - The sophomore place kicker/punter from Youngsville, North Carolina made both of his field goal attempts including the game-winner in the fourth quarter of a 27-24 victory over USA South foe LaGrange last week. Westberry connected from both 37 and 22 yards while also making each of his point-after-touchdown attempts. He also averaged 40.7 yards per attempt on three punts in the win. Also Nominated: Pierre Chadwick, Maryville; Chase Young, Huntingdon.

MEN'S SOCCER

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Johnny Rakhmonberdiev, Maryville - The sophomore midfielder from Sevierville, Tennessee scored four goals with one assist in a 3-0 week for the Scots. In a 4-1 win over USA South foe Berea, Rakhmonberdiev tallied one score. In a 6-0 victory over USA South rival LaGrange, Rakhmonberdiev netted two goals. Finally, in a 2-0 victory over Centre, Rakhmonberdiev was involved in both tallies as he notched the match's opening goal then later assisted on an insurance score. Also Nominated:  Jordy Briceno, Greensboro; Huso Dukic, Averett; Chase Kane, Piedmont; Isaac Sanchez, Methodist; Sheriff Secka, N.C. Wesleyan.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Ryan Jorgensen, Maryville - The junior goalkeeper from Maryville, Tennessee posted one shutout and allowed just one goal as the Scots posted a 3-0 record last week. In 227 minutes in net, Jorgensen stopped eight shots. In a 4-1 win over USA South foe Berea, Jorgensen tallied one save. In a 6-0 victory over USA South rival LaGrange, Jorgensen grabbed two saves. Finally, in a 2-0 victory over Centre, Jorgensen stopped all five shots he faced. Also Nominated: Sean Dunbar, Averett; Nick Pope, Piedmont.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Jordy Briceno, Greensboro - The freshman forward from Cali, Colombia tallied two goals as the Pride posted a 1-1 record last week versus USA South competition. In a 4-1 loss to N.C. Wesleyan, Briceno was held scoreless with one shot on goal. In a 4-2 victory over Methodist, Briceno scored the team's first and fourth goals of the match. Also Nominated: Milan Card, Maryville; Zvi Ferrari, Methodist; Noah Lee, Covenant; Ignacio Lerech, N.C. Wesleyan; Nick Pope, Piedmont; Nademe Tokhli, Averett.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Brooke Bukas, Salem - The Tobaccoville, North Carolina senior forward tallied two goals and one assist in a 3-0 week for the Spirits versus USA South competition. In a 1-0 victory over Methodist, Bukas was scoreless with one shot on goal. In a 3-0 victory over Greensboro, Bukas assisted on the team's second goal of the match before scoring one of her own in the 81st minute. Finally, in a 3-0 win over William Peace, Bukas notched the first, and thus the eventual game-winning, goal of the match in the tenth minute. Also Nominated: Ella Burkhart, N.C. Wesleyan; Devin D'Agostin, Greensboro; Tori Gillett, Piedmont; Christine Harris, Averett; Madilyn Hord, Berea; Kirstie King, Meredith; Shannon Reagan, Maryville.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Alyssa Denkovich, Salem - The Greencastle, Pennsylvania sophomore defender helped anchor a backline which did not allow a goal in a 3-0 week for the Spirits last week versus USA South competition. Additionally, in a 1-0 win over Methodist and a 3-0 victory over Greensboro, Denkovich assisted on each of the game-winning goals. Also Nominated: Victoria Burkhart, N.C. Wesleyan; Kirsten Clancy, Averett; Jaisa Loch, Meredith; Miranda Lukas, Maryville; Jazmin Penado, Piedmont.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Fetlework Blitch, Wesleyan - The Wesley Chapel, Florida freshman forward tallied two goals in a 1-0-1 week for the Wolves versus USA South competition. In a 1-1, double-overtime, tie with Huntingdon, Blitch scored the team's lone goal of the match. In a 4-1 victory over Berea, Blitch opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a goal. Also Nominated: Callie Adams, Salem; Abbie Anderson, Maryville; Kyra Duble, Covenant; Madilyn Hord, Berea; Cassie Kirk, Piedmont; Emily Meador, Averett; Kelsey Russell, Meredith; Jessika Schutte, William Peace.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Player of the Week
Liana Solomon, William Peace - The senior setter from Hurdle Mills, North Carolina averaged 10.89 kills, 2.44 digs, 1.11 service aces and 1.00 kills per set as the Pacers posted a 3-0 record last week versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over Greensboro, Solomon tallied 33 assists, six digs, four kills and two service aces. In a 3-0 victory over Ferrum, Solomon posted 34 assists, nine digs, five service aces and four kills. Finally, in a 3-0 win over Pfeiffer, Solomon totaled 31 assists, seven digs, three service aces and one kill. Also Nominated: Hannah Blaylock, Meredith; Katelyn Durmire, Piedmont; Hannah Shields, Averett; Alexis Creasman, Huntingdon; Paige Heck, Agnes Scott; Emily Horn, Greensboro; Schuyler Moore, Covenant; Cheyenne Strickland, Ferrum; Taylor Youell, Maryville.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
CarsonWilliams, William Peace - The senior defensive specialist from Beulaville, North Carolina averaged 6.78 digs per set as the Pacers posted a 3-0 record last week versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over Greensboro, Williams tallied 25 digs and three assists. In a 3-0 victory over Ferrum, Williams posted 25 digs, two assists and one service ace. Finally, in a 3-0 win over Pfeiffer, Williams totaled 11 digs, three service aces and one assist. Also Nominated: Kaitlyn Flickinger, Maryville; Tori Belcher, Greensboro; Maggie Hawks, Salem; Haley Hixon, Piedmont; Emily Stanley, Averett.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Rhianna Tyldesley, Maryville - The freshman outside hitter from Trussville, Alabama averaged 2.89 kills and 1.00 digs per set as the Scots posted a 3-0 record last week versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over Berea, Tyldesley tallied five kills and five digs. In a 3-2 victory over LaGrange, Tyldesley notched 21 kills, four digs, two blocks and one assist. Finally, in a 3-0 win over Brevard, Tyldesley played just one set. Also Nominated: Danyale Berry, Greensboro; McKenzie Miller, Averett; Amy Tyma, Huntingdon; Jenna Wendel, Piedmont; Brienna Davis, William Peace; Maggie Hawks, Salem.

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Logan McKenzie, Berea - The sophomore from Athens, Tennessee placed second out of 371 runners at the Greater Louisville Classic last week. McKenzie completed the 8,000-meter course in a personal-best time of 24:57 helping the Mountaineers to a 11th place team finish. Also Nominated: Sam Hurst, Methodist; Daniel Beckett, Maryville; Bryce Griggs , Piedmont; Caleb Aikens, Covenant; Alfredo Garcia Huerta, Averett.

Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Will Hatchett, Piedmont - The freshman from Habersham, Georgia placed 47th out of 183 runners at the Jacksonville State University Invitational last week. Hatchett completed the 8,200-meter course in a time of 28:01 helping the Lions to a fourth place team finish. Also Nominated: Sam Hurst, Methodist; Caleb Aikens, Covenant; Kerry Jones, Berea.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Lilly Smith, Covenant - The junior from Weaverville, North Carolina placed second out of 53 runners at the Maryville College Invitational last week. Smith completed the 6,000-meter course in a time of 24:07, helping the Scots to a first place team finish. Also Nominated: Macy Brinson, Meredith; Taylor Williams, Maryville; Reese Bowles , Piedmont; Emily DeNigris, Berea; Lindsey Pritchard, Methodist.

Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Sloan Fletcher, Piedmont - The freshman from Williamson, Georgia placed 49th out of 181 runners at the Jacksonville State University Invitational last week. Fletcher completed the 5,000-meter course in a time of 20:48, helping the Lions to a sixth place team finish. Also Nominated: Heather Hall, Covenant; Karen Perez, Meredith; Taylor Williams, Maryville; Abigail Schlenker, Berea; Nadia Blevins, William Peace; Makayla Lawler, Methodist.