Brownell earns third USA South Player of the Week honor
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Huntingdon linebacker Zach Brownell closed out his senior season with recognition as one of the USA South Athletes of the Week.
Brownell was recognized as the Football Defensive Player of the Week for his efforts in a 37-20 win over North Carolina Wesleyan. In his final four collegiate games, the Prattville native was recognized as the conference Defensive Player of the Week three times. He was also named Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Ferrum and Averett.
Against North Carolina Wesleyan, Brownell recorded 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and an interception. With his 10th tackle of the game, Brownell broke the Huntingdon record for tackles in a season.
Although he missed the first two games of the season, Brownell finished the year with 99 tackles and averaged 12.4 tackles per game. His 12.4 tackles per game rank seventh nationally in Division III.
In just eight games, he led the USA South in solo tackles and fumble recoveries, was third in total tackles and tied for sixth in tackles for loss. The Hawks' fifth all-time leading tackler, he also set school records this season for total tackles in a game and solo tackles in a game and solo tackles in a season.
Below is the complete list of USA South Athletes of the Week.
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Graham Craig, LaGrange - The senior quarterback from Hoover, Alabama threw for 434 yards with five touchdowns as the Panthers defeated USA South foe Ferrum, 44-28. Craig was 22-of-37 passing for an average of 11.7 yards per attempt. Also Nominated: Warren Scott, Greensboro; Bryan Horton, Maryville; Drew Evans, Averett; Malik Adams, N.C. Wesleyan.
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Zach Brownell, Huntingdon - The Prattville, Alabama senior linebacker tallied 12 total tackles, grabbed an interception and broke up one pass as the Hawks defeated USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan, 37-20. Brownell notched 11 solo tackles and one assisted take down, including one tackle for loss, in the victory. He now holds the program record for tackles in a single season. Also Nominated: Chase Sams, Greensboro; Jayvon McCullough, Maryville; Brian Fuquay, Averett; James Wallace, N.C. Wesleyan; Bryan Bing, Methodist.
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Jordan Vann, Methodist - The Fayetteville, North Carolina junior punter averaged 40.7 yards per kick in a 24-23 loss to USA South foe Maryville. Vann had a long punt of 45 yards and landed one inside the 20 yard line. Also Nominated: Hobie Proctor, Averett.
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Jamal Pullen, Ferrum - The senior forward from Alexandria, Virginia averaged 21.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per contest as the Panthers opened the season with a 1-1 record last week. In an 80-74 loss to Eastern Mennonite, Pullen notched a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds. In a 73-70 victory over Bridgewater, Pullen tallied 19 points, six rebounds and two blocks. Also Nominated: Mike Major, Methodist; Parris Scales, Greensboro; Jaumonee Byrd, Maryville; Braxton Ford, LaGrange.
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Kanyata Harris, N.C.Wesleyan - The Raleigh, North Carolina sophomore guard averaged 19.0 points, 9.5 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.0 blocks per contest as the Bishops opened the season with a 2-0 record last week. In a 67-64 win over Hollins, Harris notched a double-double of 21 points and 11 rebounds with two steals and two blocks. In a 79-77 victory over Emory & Henry, Harris totaled 17 points, eight rebounds and one steal. Also Nominated: Brianna Barrett, Piedmont; Mindy Brackins, Maryville; Shanita Hampton, Greensboro; Ariana Covington, Averett.
Rookies of the Week
Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
DwayneBishop, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman wide receiver from Murfreesboro, North Carolina totaled 74 yards receiving with one touchdown in a 37-20 loss to USA South foe Huntingdon. Bishop caught four passes for an average of 18.5 yards per catch. Also Nominated: Travis Jones, Averett.
Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Chase Sams, Greensboro - The Berlin, Maryland freshman linebacker accumulated 14 tackles in a 36-28 victory over USA South rival Averett. Sams tallied nine solo tackles and five assisted take downs, including one tackle for loss, in the win. Also Nominated: TJ Bulock, LaGrange; Hunter Shepherd, Averett; Jaylon Johnson, N.C. Wesleyan; Brandon Boyd, Methodist.
Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Joseph Gatling, Greensboro - The Columbia, South Carolina freshman guard helped The Pride to a 78-54 win over Warren Wilson in the team's only game last week. Gatling scored nine points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out four assists in the victory.
Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Jonna Koski, Averett - The Jyvaskyla, Finland freshman center helped the Cougars defeat Southern Virginia, 80-52, to open the season last week in the team's only contest. Koski notched a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to go along with one assist and one steal. Also Nominated: Haley Talbott, Maryville; Azha McNiel, Greensboro; Shekinah Huggins, N.C. Wesleyan.