FRISCO – East Texas A&M quarterback Ron Peace, UIW linebacker Darius Sanders, and Lamar wide receiver Kyndon Fuselier are the winners of the Jersey Mike's Southland Conference’s football weekly awards for the eleventh week of the season, as announced by the conference office Monday.
Offensive Player of the Week: Ron Peace, East Texas A&M – QB – R-Jr. – Malakoff, Texas (Malakoff? HS)
Ron Peace went 40 of 65 for 400 yards and four touchdowns in a wild win over HCU. Peace led the Lions back in an East Texas shootout, erasing a 40-28 deficit in the scond half to give East Texas A&M their second straight win. Peace connected with Christian Jourdain for three of his touchdowns and threw the game-winning touchdown to Sean Sallis with 36 seconds to play in the game. It is Peace's second 400-passing-yard game of the season as he has totaled 712 passing yards and six scores in his last two outings.
Defensive Player of the Week: Darius Sanders, UIW – LB – Sr. – Amarillo, Texas (Tascosa HS)
Darius Sanders had two interceptions against SFA, including a game-clinching pick in the final seconds to secure the 27-20 victory over the Lumberjacks, the Southland Conference title, and the AQ for the Cardinals. His first interception came early in the second half to help push the UIW lead to 20-9. He also added eight total tackles and one tackle for loss for three yards.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Kyndon Fuselier, Lamar – WR/PR – Jr. – Nederland, Texas (Nederland HS)
Kyndon Fuselier got the scoring started for the Cardinals by returning a first-quarter punt 40 yards for a touchdown. He returned two punts on the day including the house call for Big Red in their 24-7 win over Nicholls. It is the first punt return for a touchdown of Fuselier's career.
Honorable Mention: Champ Dozier, HCU
2024 Southland Football Players of the Week
| Date |
Offensive |
Defensive |
Special Teams |
| Sept. 2 |
Jalen Walthall, UIW |
Eli Ennis, Nicholls |
Stephen Johnson, McNeese |
| Sept. 9 |
Ron Peace, East Texas A&M |
Blake Gotcher, Northwestern State |
Chase Leon, Lamar |
| Sept. 16 |
Clifton McDowell, McNeese |
DeJuan Lewis, Lamar |
Christian Booker, Lamar |
| Sept. 23 |
DeKalon Taylor, UIW |
Mister Williams, UIW |
Cody Smith, McNeese |
| Sept. 30 |
Antonio Martin, Jr., Southeastern |
Marques Caldwell, HCU |
Finn Lappin, McNeese |
| Oct. 7 |
Eli Brickhandler, HCU |
Laurence Sullivan Jr., Nicholls |
Dillon Fedor, HCU |
| Oct. 14 |
Zach Calzada, UIW |
Dune Smith, UIW |
Darius Lewis, Southeastern |
| Oct. 21 |
Darius Lewis, Southeastern |
Jake Dalmado, Nicholls |
Ben Woodard, Lamar |
| Oct. 28 |
Sam Vidlak, SFA |
Jake Dalmado, Nicholls |
Brandon Hayes, Southeastern |
| Nov. 4 |
Roy Alexander, UIW |
Coryell Pierce, Southeastern |
Callum Eddings, SFA |
| Nov. 11 |
Zach Calzada, UIW |
Brandon Tucker Jr., East Texas A&M |
Dillon Fedor, HCU |
| Nov. 18 |
Ron Peace, East Texas A&M |
Darius Sanders, UIW |
Kyndon Fuselier, 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.