The South Atlantic Conference Announces AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week, Nov. 2
ROCK HILL, S.C. (TheSAC.com) – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf SAC Football Players of the Week for games the ninth week of the season. Newberry quarterback Raleigh Yeldell was tabbed the Offensive Player of the Week, while Catawba's Kyle Kitchens was named the Defensive Player of the Week. Mars Hill's Michael Ashley picked up Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Yeldell, a junior from Edgefield, S.C., threw for 265 yards and four touchdowns to lead the Wolves to a 52-14 win over Lenoir-Rhyne on Oct. 31. He connected on 18-of-25 attempts to finish with a completion percentage of 72 percent. Yeldell also rushed for 57 yards on 10 carries and hauled in a pass for 27 yards. The game marked his third-straight contest with over 250 yards through the air. The award is his first Offensive Player of the Week selection this season.
Kitchens, a sophomore from Decatur, Ga., posted seven tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss as Catawba knocked off Brevard 29-7 on Oct. 31. His sacks dropped the Tornados back 17 yards, while his tackles for loss put Brevard in a 22 yard hole. He finished the contest with five solo stops. The honor marks his first Defensive Player of the Week nod this season.
Ashley, a senior from Manteo, N.C., gave Mars Hill a big advantage in field position in the 31-24 win over Tusculum on Oct. 31. He posted nine punts for 362 yards to finish with an average punt of 40.2 yards. Ashley booted four balls inside the 20 yard-line to go along with six fair-catches and one touchback. He also posted a career long punt of 56 yards in the contest. The award is his first Special Teams Player of the Week plaudit this season.
2015 Offensive Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Evin Sims, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 14 - Cary Littlejohn, Catawba
Keshaun Taylor, Mars Hill
Sept. 21 - Evin Sims, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 28 - Damian Baker, Carson-Newman
Oct. 5 - Isaac Robinson, Tusculum
Oct. 12 - Luke Lancaster, Tusculum
Oct. 19 - Lawrence Pittman, Wingate
Oct. 26 - Gilbert Johnson, Mars Hill
Nov. 2 - Raleigh Yeldell, Newberry
2015 Defensive Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Martez Thompkins, Tusculum
Sept. 14 - Taylor McDonnell, Newberry
Sept. 21 - Kyle Dugger, Lenoir-Rhyne
Sept. 28 - Alstevis Squirewell, Newberry
Oct. 5 - Andre Foulks, Wingate
Oct. 12 - Mark McDaniel, Catawba
Oct. 19 - Eric Mapoles, Wingate
Oct. 26 - Carl Mattox, Mars Hill
Nov. 2 - Kyle Kitchens, Catawba
2015 Special Team Players of the Week
Sept. 8 - Carson Wise, Carson-Newman
Sept. 14 - Christopher Birozes, Wingate
Sept. 21 - Jody Fuller, Wingate
Sept. 28 - Kyle Clark, Newberry
Oct. 5 - Kristaan Ivory, Lenoir-Rhyne
Oct. 12 - Dylan Barnas, Mars Hill
Oct. 19 - Justin Long, Carson-Newman
Oct. 26 - Carson Wise, Carson-Newman
Nov. 2 - Michael Ashley, Mars Hill