Mars Hill’s Allen, Pinkerton, Wingate’s Merkerson Named Football Players Of The Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week have been announced for the week ending Sep. 20, 2008. Mars Hill's Tyrea Allen and Michael Pinkerton were named the SAC Offensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, while Wingate's Tylan Merkerson earned Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Allen, a 6-0, 170-pound junior receiver from Murphy, N.C., hauled in six receptions for 195 yards and two touchdowns in Mars Hill's 38-35 win at West Liberty State. The Murphy High School graduate recorded a 73-yard TD reception in the fourth quarter for the game-winning score. He also tallied a 71-yard touchdown catch earlier in the contest.

Tylan Merkerson

Merkerson, a 6-4, 220-pound junior defensive back from Oxford, N.C., accounted for two interceptions as Wingate defeated Elizabeth City State 15-7. The Asheville School alumnus finished with eight tackles, including three solo hits. Both of his picks came in Wingate territory in the first and fourth quarters, stopping ECSU drives. The later pick stopped a potential game-tying drive with 6:46 left in the contest.

Pinkerton, a 5-9, 155-pound freshman kicker, was perfect in his five extra point attempts, while nailing a 37-yard field goal with 1:08 left in the third quarter in Mars Hill's road win at West Liberty State. The field goal proved to be the point differential in the game.

The South Atlantic Conference Football Players of the Week are selected by a vote of the league's sports information directors.