ATLANTA, Ga. – Eric Phoenix (Benedict) was named Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, while William Hardy (Miles) earned Defensive Player of the Week alongside Jeffrey Johnson (Lane) who was named Co-Defensive Player of the Week, released by the league office on Monday.
Rodney Williams, Jr. (Fort Valley State) was also tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week alongside Tavare Brewton (Savannah State) who earned Newcomer of the Week.
OFFENSIVE – Eric Phoenix, Benedict
Quarterback | Junior | Savannah, Ga.
Phoenix completed 14-of-24 passes for season-high 188 yards and four touchdowns in a 40-14 victory over Kentucky State. He averaged 13.4 yards per reception.
DEFENSIVE – William Hardy, Miles
Linebacker | Sophomore | Birmingham, AL
Hardy had 11 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble for the Miles Golden Bears in a 34-14 win over Central State.
CO-DEFENSIVE – Jeffrey Johnson, Lane
Linebacker | Senior | Jacksonville, FL
Johnson led a Dragons defense that held an Edward Waters offense that was averaging 32 points per game coming into the game to just seven points. The senior linebacker had 12 total tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, and registered a forced fumble.
SPECIAL TEAMS – Rodney Williams, Jr., Fort Valley State
Kicker/Punter | Freshman | Covington, Ga.
Williams played a big part in the Wildcats undefeated run so far this season. The freshman booted first half field goals of 29, 26 and 35 yards to go 3-for-3 for the game with the 35-yarder as time expired in the first half to put FVSU ahead, 23-21. The Covington, Ga. native also was 5-for-5 in points after attempts. In 3 punts, he averaged 45.7 yards with one inside the 20-yard line that flipped the field and went 63 yards. Williams also recorded eight kickoffs for 459 yards and a 57.4-yard average with one touchback.
NEWCOMER – Tavare Brewton, Savannah State
Linebacker | Freshman | Savannah, Ga.
True freshman Tavare Brewton helped Savannah State to a 15-3 win over Morehouse on Saturday with a team-high eight tackles (4 solo, 4 assisted), including 2.0 tackles for a loss. In a goal-line stand on Savannah State's 3-yard line, Brewton registered three consecutive tackles (1 solo, 2 assisted) to push Morehouse back to the 11-yard line and keep them out of the end zone. The Savannah State defense held Morehouse to only 128 yards of offense including only 54 passing yards.
