UIW's Chafin and Whittaker, Lamar's Esqueda take Southland Football Player of the Week honors
FRISCO, Texas – UIW wide receiver Darion Chafin and defensive lineman Chris Whittaker, and Lamar kicker Chris Esqueda earned Southland football weekly awards for the second week of the season, the league announced Monday.
Offensive Player of the Week: Darion Chafin, UIW – WR – Graduate – Wichita Falls, Texas (Burkburnett HS)
Chafin had a monster game in the Cardinals’ 55-41 victory over FBS Nevada. His 262 receiving yards notched a career-high while breaking the UIW single-game record and earning the second-most receiving yards in a game in Southland history. Chafin now ranks first in the UIW record book in career receiving touchdowns with 18. He leads FCS nationally in receiving yards per game (184.0).
Defensive Player of the Week: Chris Whittaker, UIW – DL – Graduate – Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. (Chaminade-Madonna HS)
Whittaker came up big in the Cardinals’ 55-41 victory over FBS Nevada, tallying four sacks, nine tackles and a forced fumble that led to a UIW touchdown. He leads the Southland and FCS nationally in sacks per game (3.0) and leads the Southland in tackles for loss per game (3.0).
Honorable Mention: Darius Williams, Texas A&M-Commerce.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Chris Esqueda, Lamar – K – Soph. – Waco, Texas (Waco HS)
Esqueda was a perfect 3-of-3 on field goals and 1-of-1 on PAT attempts in the Cardinals’ 45-16 loss at SMU. He converted field goals from 42, 38 and 46 yards. He is tied for the Southland lead this season in field goals made without a miss (3-of-3).
Honorable Mention: Jomard Valsin, Jr., Northwestern State.
2022 Southland Football Players of the Week
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
| Sept. 5 |
Ismail Mahdi, HBU |
Jalyx Hunt, HBU |
Austin Dunlap, SLU |
| Sept. 12 |
Darion Chafin, UIW |
Chris Whittaker, UIW |
Chris Esqueda, Lamar |
Southland weekly award winners are nominated and voted upon by each school’s sports information director. Voting for one’s own athlete is not permitted. To earn honorable mention, a student-athlete must appear on 25 percent of ballots.
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