Courtesy of the Gulf South Conference
Delta State quarterback Micah Davis (JR, 6-2, 200, Wesson, MS) and Henderson State quarterback Nick Hardesty (SR, 6-0, 205, Salina, KS) share this week’s Gulf South Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor, while North Alabama cornerback Bryan Thomas (JR, 6-1, 214, Zephyrhills, FL) and West Georgia punt returner Denarius Appling (FR, 5-7, 140, Griffin, GA) are the Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week for the period ending October 3rd.
Davis collects his first-ever award thanks to a career-best effort in DSU’s thrilling home upset of No. 15 West Alabama in Thursday’s GSC-TV Game of the Week. The junior completed 34-of-48 passes (70.8 percent) for a career-high 414 yards and five touchdowns versus the Tigers. The Wesson, MS native sparked the Statesmen’s 20-point, fourth-quarter comeback, capped by the game-winning, 16-yard scoring strike with 19 seconds left to play.
Hardesty earned his second honor of the season, leading HSU to a 47-0 home shutout against in-state foe Arkansas-Monticello. The senior completed 18-of-28 passes for 415 yards and accounted for four total touchdowns behind three through the air. The Salina, KS native completed 64.2 percent of his passes and averaged 23.1 yards per completion in 43 minutes of play. Hardesty connected on touchdown passes from 44, 59 and 87 yards. The 87-yard strike was the second-longest in Reddies’ history.
Thomas is the first UNA defender to take home laurels this season, spearheading the Lions’ defense in its second consecutive shutout, 28-0 at home over Arkansas Tech. The junior tied a season-high with four total tackles, including one solo stop. The Zephyrhills, FL native also grabbed his second interception of the season, returning the miscue, 30 yards for a touchdown. His stretched the Lions’ lead to 21-0 with 11:55 on the clock in the third quarter.
Appling is the first UWG Special Teams honoree since 2008. The freshman wide receiver made an impact on special teams, returning three punts for 80 yards (26.7 avg.). The Griffin, GA native gave the Wolves a 14-0 edge with 7:22 remaining in the first half, returning a punt 50 yards for a TD.