SoCon names football players of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played on Nov. 23. Western Carolina quarterback Taron Dickens was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Catamounts defensive back Jordy Lowery was named the Defensive Player of the Week and ETSU placekicker Ewan Johnson was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Taron Dickens, R-Fr., QB, Western Carolina, Miami, Fla.

Dickens, who also won the honor on Nov. 4, completed a career-high 36 passes for 408 yards, completing 78.3 percent of his passes and throwing three touchdowns in Western Carolina’s 47-42 win at Samford on Saturday. The redshirt freshman’s touchdown passes came from 29, 6 and 14 yards out. The native of Miami, Florida, improved to 3-1 as a starter this season with the team’s win against Samford. Dickens finished the regular season leading the conference in completion percentage (.738).

Other nominees: Devontae Houston (ETSU), Adjatay Dabbs (Mercer), Quincy Crittendon (Samford), Chase Artopoeus (Chattanooga) and Kyle Watkins (Wofford)

 
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordy Lowery, R-So., DB, Western Carolina, Bartow, Fla.

Lowery recorded three solo tackles and two interceptions, one of which he took for a touchdown in the Catamounts’ win against Samford. The redshirt sophomore’s first pick came at the 8:06 mark in the second quarter at the Western Carolina 22-yard line. The Bartow, Florida, product’s second interception was a 92-yard score, which came with 21 second left in the first half. The 92-yard pick-six was the second-longest in Western Carolina history. Lowery completed the season ranked tied for second in the SoCon in interceptions this season (6).

Other nominees: Ray Coney (ETSU), Andrew Zock (Mercer), Noah Martin (Samford), Alex Mitchell (Chattanooga), Eric Rankin (VMI) and Jalen Marshall (Wofford)
 

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Ewan Johnson, R-So., K, ETSU, Knoxville, Tenn.

Johnson, who also won the honor on Sept. 23 and Nov. 11, scored 10 points in ETSU’s 16-9 win at VMI, giving the Bucs their fourth straight win in Lexington. The Knoxville, Tennessee, native made field goals from 20, 22 and 40 yards out, along with making his lone PAT attempt during the contest. The redshirt also handled the kickoff duties against the Keydets, kicking off four times for 246 yards. Johnson’s three field goal makes are tied for the second-most in program history in a game.

Other nominees: Bradlee Jones (The Citadel), Tommy Bliss (Mercer), Jude Kelley (Chattanooga), Caden Beck (VMI), Christian Lowery (Western Carolina) and Devery Cagle (Wofford)

2024 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Sept. 2             DJ Smith, Jr., QB, Mercer
Sept. 9             Amari Odom, R-Fr., QB, Wofford

Sept. 16            Trey Hedden, Fr., QB, Furman

Sept. 23            DJ Smith, Jr., QB, Mercer

Sept. 30            Khamran Laborn, R-Jr., WR, ETSU

Oct.7                Sam Phillips, R-Jr., WR, Chattanooga

Oct.14              AJ Johnson, R-So., WR, ETSU

Oct. 21             Cole Gonzales, Jr., QB, Western Carolina

Oct. 28             Dwayne McGee, Sr., RB, Mercer

Nov. 4              Taron Dickens, R-Fr., QB, Western Carolina

Nov. 11             Parker Wroble, Sr., WR, Mercer

Nov. 18             Quincy Crittendon, Jr., QB, Samford

Nov. 25             Taron Dickens, R-Fr., QB, Western Carolina

 
Defensive
Sept. 2             Jalen Marshall, Jr., LB, Wofford
Sept. 9             Amir Annoor, Sr., DB, Wofford

Sept. 16            CJ Coombes, R-Fr., DB, Wofford

Sept. 23            TJ Moore, Sr., DB, Mercer

Sept. 30            Dainsus Miller, Jr., DB, Mercer

Oct. 7               David Powers, Sr., LB, Wofford

Oct. 14             TJ Moore, Sr., DB, Mercer

Oct. 21             Noah Martin, Gr., LB, Samford

Oct. 28             Brayden Manley, So., DL, Mercer

Nov. 4              Shamus Jones, Sr., DB, VMI

Nov. 11             Zach West, R-Sr., LB, ETSU

Nov. 18             Billy Lewis, R-Fr., DB, Furman

Nov. 25             Jordy Lowery, R-So., DB, Western Carolina

 
Special teams
Sept. 2             Brayden Smith, So., WR, Mercer

Sept. 9             John McConnell, R-Jr., P, Mercer

Sept. 16            Ian Williams, R-Sr., PK, Furman

Sept. 23            Ewan Johnson, R-So., K, ETSU

Sept. 30            John McConnell, R-Jr., P, Mercer

Oct. 7               Nate Brackett, R-Jr., P, ETSU

Oct. 14             Jude Kelley, R-Jr., PK, Chattanooga

Oct. 21             Jude Kelley, R-Jr., PK, Chattanooga

Oct. 28             James Platte, Gr., P, The Citadel

Nov. 4              Reice Griffith, So., PK, Mercer

Nov. 11             Ewan Johnson, R-So., K, ETSU

Nov. 18             Christian Lowery, Jr., PK, Western Carolina

Nov. 25             Ewan Johnson, R-So., K, ETSU