Newberry’s Gantt, Parker, Catawba’s Trexler 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 October 18, 2009. Newberry College quarterback Brandon Gantt was named Offensive Player of the Week, Newberry safety Ron Parker was named Defensive Player of the Week, and Catawba College placekicker Thomas Trexler was named Special Teams Player of the Week.

Gantt, a senior from Lexington, S.C. (Middle Tenn. St. Univ / Heathwood Hall HS), recorded 347 yards of offense in the 35-27 road win over Wingate on Saturday, handing the Bulldogs their first conference loss of the season. He completed 20-of-39 passes for a career-high 336 yards, a touchdown and an interception; he also had nine carries for 11 yards. The touchdown was a 26-yard connection with David Smith in the fourth quarter that gave Newberry the lead for good. The 336 yards is ninth all-time in the Newberry record books and the third time Gantt has passed for over 330 yards this season (333 at Valdosta State, 335 at Austin Peay).

Brandon Gantt

Ron Parker

Thomas Trexler

Parker, a senior from St. Helena Island, S.C. (Beaufort HS) had two interceptions in the 35-27 win at Wingate, including a 54-yard pickoff return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter for what turned out to be the game-winning score for Newberry. He also made three tackles and had a total of three pass breakups.

Trexler, a sophomore from Wilmington, N.C. (New Hanover HS), made two first-half field goals (39 & 36 yards) and was perfect on five PAT attemtps in the 41-27 win at Tusculum. His first FG of 39 yards put the Indians on top 10-6 and his second, from 36 yards, tied the game at 13-13. On the season, Trexler has made 5-of-8 field goals and is 23-of-25 on PAT's, totaling 38 points. He also helped bottle Tusculum up on kickoffs as the Pioneers averaged starting on its own 25 on his eight kickoffs. Tusculum started inside its 20 on three occasions.