2019 Football Players of the Week

  • Grayson Overstreet, Emory & Henry, So., Running Back/Linebacker
    November 17, 2019
    Overstreet, a sophomore from Moneta, Va., made the most of his first start at running back in the Wasps 59-36 victory over Ferrum in the Fourth Annual Crooked Road Classic. Overstreet, a starting linebacker and situational rusher the previous nine games of the season, set a new ODAC single-game record with 324 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 35 carries. That is tied for the most yardage in NCAA Division III (324 by Wesley Schools, Grove City) this season and third-most over all divisions. It is one yard clear of previous ODAC record-holder Cedrick Delaney, who went for 321 yards against Emory & Henry in 2014. Overstreet's touchdown runs against the Panthers came on carries of 67 and 19 yards in the second and fourth quarters, respectively. He had 13 rushes of 10 or more yards leading to his 9.3 yards per carry average. For the season, Overstreet ran the ball 67 times for 435 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, he registered 49 tackles with 2.0 TFLs, two fumble recoveries, and an interception he returned 80 yards for a touchdown.
  • Justin Mitchell, Southern Virginia, So., Cornerback
    November 17, 2019
    Mitchell, a sophomore from Hagerstown, Md., put together a strong game in the Knights' 40-7 season-ending triumph over non-conference Apprentice School. Mitchell registered four tackles on the day including half a tackle for a loss. He also intercepted a pair of passes, both of which he returned for touchdowns. Mitchell helped set the tone of the game in the closing minutes of the first quarter when he came off his man and intercepted a pass at the Apprentice 21-yard line. He returned it to paydirt for a 7-0 lead with 3:03 on the first quarter clock. Mitchell then helped put the game away with the second of three Southern Virginia touchdown in the fourth quarter. This time he stepped in front of a sideline out pass and returned the interception 20 yards for a 32-7 lead with 6:29 to play. For the season, Mitchell racked up 28 tackles and four interceptions, which is tied for third in the ODAC.
  • Re'Shaun Myers, Bridgewater, Sr., Linebacker
    November 10, 2019
    Myers, a senior from Ringgold, Va., was a disruptive force for the Eagles as Bridgewater clinched the ODAC title with a 28-21 victory over Randolph-Macon on Saturday. Myers posted an ODAC weekly-high 15 tackles including seven solo stops and a pair of tackles for a loss. The 15 stops not just a personal-best for this season but set a new career-high for the 2018 ODAC Defensive Player of the Year. Myers also forced a fumble, broke up a pass, and had a pair of quarterback hurries to lead the nation's fifth-ranked defense against its fellow regionally-ranked foe. His pass breakup came on a fourth-down stop a play after he forced a fumble. For the season, Myers is fourth in the ODAC with 78 total tackles and 45 solo stops. He is also tied for fourth with 10.0 tackles for a loss and is tied for second with 6.0 quarterback sacks.
  • Demetreus Jalepes, Bridgewater, Jr., Running Back
    November 10, 2019
    Jalepes, a junior from Martinsburg, W.Va., put together a 190 all-purpose yard day with a pair of touchdowns - including the game-deciding score - in Bridgewater's 28-21 victory over Randolph-Macon to clinch the ODAC championship. Jalepes average 14 yards a carry as he ran for 168 yards on 12 touches in addition to catching three passes for 22 yards and another score. He got the scoring started with a seven-yard touchdown reception with 3:13 on the first quarter clock. Jalepes second touchdown was arguably the biggest play of the game, if not the longest. After Randolph-Macon had pulled to within a score at 21-13 with 9:39 to play in regulation, Jalepes carried the ball on the first play on the ensuing drive and broke out for a 71-yard touchdown run. The rush, the longest of his collegiate career, gave BC the cushion it needed to remain unbeated on the season at 9-0. For the year, Jalepes is first in the ODAC in rushing touchdowns (9) and second in overall TDs (11) and points (68). He is fourth in the ODAC in rushing yards (722) and yards per game (80.2). His 5.8 yards per carry ranks third among qualified runners.
  • Neil Davis, Southern Virginia, Sr., Defensive Back
    November 03, 2019
    Davis, a senior from Salem, Utah, put his name in Southern Virginia's record books on Saturday as he helped spur the Knights to a 30-17 victory over Guilford to snap a five-game losing skid. Davis made two plays in SVU's end zone that not only kept possible Guilford points off the board, but added to SVU's score towards its second ODAC win of the season. He finished with 10 tackles on the day including seven solo stops that featured a 4th-and-2 tackle for no gain inside SVU territory with 6:17 to play. Davis also intercepted a pair of passes with both coming in the end zone to stifle GC drives. His first interception came on the opening drive of the second half with Guilford inside SVU's 20-yard line. He picked off the pass in the end zone and returned it 24 yards. Davis's second takeaway was arguably the most important play of the game. Leading 23-17 with less than four minutes to play, Davis again picked off a pass in the end zone, but this time returned it 100 yards for a potential 14-point swing to seal the victory for Southern Virginia. The points were the first scored by SVU's defense since 2016, and the 100-yard return is the longest scoring play in Southern Virginia's Division III history.
  • Chris Sonnenberg, Shenandoah, Fy., Quarterback
    November 03, 2019
    Sonnenberg, a first-year from Bristow, Va., was nearly flawless in his first collegiate start as he led Shenandoah to a 49-31 road victory at Ferrum. Sonnenberg, who got his first extended playing time last week against Emory & Henry, went 21-of-27 for 393 yards and six touchdowns without an interception thru the air. The passing yards are the second most in the ODAC this season, while the six touchdown passes tie teammate Ben Agostino for the most by an ODAC passer this year. Sonnenberg missed on just two passes after the start of the second quarter - with one of those being an intentional throw away - and found his target with his final 10 attempts of the game. Sonnenberg completed passes to eight different players with scoring plays going to three receivers. Seven times he connected with Casey Stewart, posting a trio of touchdown passes of 21, 29, and 14 yards. Sonnenberg and Brant Butler teamed up for a pair of 58-yard scoring plays, and the remaining TD pass was a three-yard toss to Jack Massie to open the game's scoring. Sonnenberg finished the game with seven passing plays of better than 20 yards. Over the past two weeks, Sonnenberg has thrown for 733 yards and eight touchdowns while completing 61.8-percent of his passes.
  • Ryan Gibson, Emory & Henry, Fy., Defensive Back
    October 27, 2019
    Gibson, a first-year from Bristol, Tenn., had a monster game in his first extended stretch of field time of the season as he helped Emory & Henry win for the fifth straight game and stay within one game of the top of the ODAC table. With Shenandoah trying to work its way back into the game in the second half, Gibson went to work in the defensive backfield as he intercepted three passes, the most by any player in a single game in the ODAC this season. He also broke up three passes and registered five tackles including three solo stops. Gibson's first interception came early in the third quarter two plays after Shenandoah intercepted an E&H pass. He stayed busy in the third quarter, picking off his second pass with 0:30 left in the frame. Gibson's last interception put an end to not only Shenandoah's comeback attempt but the game itself as he high-pointed a deep pass down the near sideline for his third takeaway with the clock showing 0:00. Gibson's interception, tackle, and pass breakup totals are all personal season highs. He is now tied for second in the ODAC in interceptions.
  • Jermaine Russell, Guilford, Jr., Receiver/Kick Returner
    October 27, 2019
    Russell, a junior from Durham, N.C., registered his fourth game of 200 or more all-purpose yards on the season and posted a career-high three touchdowns as the Quakers defeated Hampden-Sydney for the first time since 2015 and second time since 1999. Russell racked up 210 yards on the day including 82 yards on six catches that featured a pair of touchdowns grabs. His first opened the game's scoring with an 8-yard effort in the first quarter. Before he caught his second TD pass, Russell helped shift the momentum of the second half with the fourth-longest kickoff return in school history. After Hampden-Sydney pulled to within 24-13, Russell returned the ensuing kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown, the first kick return for a score by a Quaker since 2017. Russell saved his most poignant play for the game's final score. With Guilford leading 30-27 late in the fourth quarter, Russell returned a punt 11 yards to midfield to setup his next play. He caught 20-yard pass down the seam and turned it into a 50-yard touchdown catch-and-run with 3:23 showing on the game clock to effectively seal the contest for the Quakers. For the season, Russell is second in the ODAC in receiving yards (779), yards per game (111.3), and touchdowns (6), the latter matching his career-high. He is fourth in receptions (48) and yards per catch (16.2). He has recorded 100 or more receiving yards in four games this season and 12 times in his career. He is sixth on Guilford's receiving yardage list with 2,539 yards in 27 games played.
  • Ivan Phillips, Emory & Henry, So., Linebacker
    October 20, 2019
    Phillips, a sophomore from Kingsport, Tenn., was all over the field in the Wasps come-from-behind last-second victory over Washington and Lee on Saturday. Phillips tied for team high honors with 11 tackles including six solo stops. His biggest contribution came not in getting involved in the turnover game, but putting points on the board. As the third quarter clock expired, Phillips put six on the board when he forced and recovered of fumble and returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. The score completed a 21-0 run by the Wasps to recover a 28-7 deficit and tie the score 28-all with the fourth quarter left to be played. For the season, Phillips leads Emory & Henry with 38 tackles including 22 solo stops. He has 4.5 tackles for a loss. The forced and recovered fumble is his first of the season in both categories.
  • Hunter Taylor, Emory & Henry, Jr., Quarterback
    October 20, 2019
    Taylor, a junior from Summerville, S.C., played a big part in Emory & Henry's dramatic comeback from 21 points down to win as time expired against Washington and Lee. Taylor shook off a pair of interceptions to finish with his fourth career 300-yard passing game and second contest of four or more passing touchdowns this season. He hit Derrick Yates with a pair of scoring throws in the third quarter, the second of which pulled the Wasps to within seven points. The Generals enjoyed a 14-ponit lead with just over six minutes to play, but a T.J. Tester touchdown run and a third scoring throw from Taylor to Jeff Wallace tied the score and set the stage for arguably the biggest play of the season. With possession on the Generals 39-yard line, Taylor eluded the rush and let loose a throw towards the end zone. Max Yates, in a group of both Wasps' receivers and Generals' defenders, hauled in the heave for the game-winning score with 0:00 showing on the clock. For Taylor is completed his day going 30-of-47 for 368 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 54 yards on 16 carries to finish with 422 yards of total offense. He currently leads the ODAC in passing touchdowns (16) and yards per game (276.0) and is third in passing yards (1,380).
  • Chase Rosenthal, Brigewater, Jr., Cornerback
    October 13, 2019
    Rosenthal, a junior from Chesapeake, Va,. earns his second weekly award of the season after helping the Eagles' defense return from its bye week in style with a 51-7 victory at Hampden-Sydney. Bridgewater held the Tigers to just 176 yards from scrimmage at 2.9 yards per play in pitching a shutout for more than 52 minutes of game time after giving up a first quarter score. BC also forced a pair of turnovers, which Rosenthal played a part. Late in the first quarter, Bridgewater had just gone ahead, 13-7, and on the next offensive play by Hampden-Sydney, Rosenthal returned the ball to BC by intercepting a deep pass at the Eagles' 37-yard line. Rosenthal went on to lead Bridgewater in tackles with seven, all of which were solo stops. The interception was his third of the season, which sits second in the ODAC. He has 25 tackles including 22 solo stops.
  • Jay Scroggins, Bridgewater, Sr., Quarterback
    October 13, 2019
    Scroggins, a senior from Fredericksburg, Va., continued his strong campaign of turnover-free football for the Eagles. Scroggins led Bridgewater to seven touchdowns in nine drives on offense, paving the way for a 51-7 road victory. He remained efficient despite coming off a bye week, completing 17-of-24 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns. His scoring throws went to Trey Stephens, Noah Krogh, and Chad Jones. He spread the ball around to nine different receivers with five completions of 20 or more yards. For the season, Scroggins leads the ODAC in completion percentage (70.0%), touchdowns (13), and passing efficiency (190.5). He has not thrown an interception since his pass attempt in the second-to-last game of the 2018 season, which covers 132 pass attempts. He also has not fumbled this season.
  • Ben Agostino, Shenandoah, Jr., Quarterback
    October 06, 2019
    Agostino, a junior from Eldersburg, Md., put together a career-day in leading Shenandoah to a 42-14 win victory over Southern Virginia on Saturday evening. Agostino was efficient and explosive in going 36-of-44 (81.8%) thru the air for 509 yards and six touchdown passes without an interception. The 509 yards rank 10th all-time in ODAC history, while his six scoring strikes are tied with several players for eighth in the league record book. Both marks are ODAC single-game highs this season, along with his 36 completions. Agostino completed passes to seven different receivers and had at least one completion of 36 or more yards to five of them. He had seven total pass completions that covered more than 30 yards, including scoring passes of 40 and 38 yards to Ethan Bigbee and Brant Butler, respectively. For the season, Agostino is second in the ODAC in completions (89), completion percentage (69.0%), yards (1,093), touchdown passes (9), and passing efficiency (161.6).
  • Calvin Whitehead, Randolph-Macon, Sr., Linebacker
    October 06, 2019
    Whitehead, a senior from Richmond, Va., put together a strong performance as the Yellow Jackets remained unbeaten in ODAC play with a 34-21 win at Guilford. Whitehead led Randolph-Macon with 11 tackles including nine solo stops. He had two tackles for a loss in that effort. Whitehead's biggest play came near the outset of the second half. With R-MC leading 17-14, Guilford had driven deep into Yellow Jacket territory. On a quarterback rush, Whitehead tracked down the Quakers' signal-caller at the 6-yard line and knocked the ball loose. The fumble went out of bounds in the end zone for a touchback. On the ensuing drive, Randolph-Macon increased its lead to 24-14 with 3:25 to go in the quarter, effectively resulting in a possible 14-point swing following the turnover. For the season, Whitehead is currently second in the ODAC with 42 total tackles and 28 solo stops. He has 4.0 tackles for a loss, an interception, and Saturday's forced fumble.
  • Da'von Keith, Emory & Henry, Sr., Defensive Lineman
    September 29, 2019
    Keith, a senior from Columbia, S.C., was an absolute menace on Saturday as he camped out in Bluefield's backfield in Emory & Henry's 49-21 road win. Keith, a former All-ODAC First Team selection who missed last season, put together his best showing of the year with six stops that included an ODAC 2019 single-game high 4.0 sacks that cost Bluefield 27 yards of offense. Two of his sacks came on second down that resulted in 3rd-and-long and ultimately punts for the Rams. His second sack of the game put an end to Bluefield's final drive just before halftime. Keith's last sack, however, proved his most impactful as he not only got to the Rams' quarterback, but forced a fumble which he recovered and returned 35 yards for a touchdown to seal the Wasps' victory. Keith also registered two other quarterback hurries in the contest.
  • Jack Pollard, Washington and Lee, So., Quarterback
    September 29, 2019
    Pollard, a sophomore from Richmond, Va., has been stellar thru two games as the Generals quarterback and that trend continued in Washington and Lee's 43-24 victory at Hampden-Sydney on Saturday. Pollard, who has accounted for 608 yards of offense and six touchdowns over the past two weeks, racked up 302 yards from scrimmage and three scores against the Tigers. He was efficient and explosive thru the air on 7-of-9 passing for 244 yards and two touchdowns. He connected with Coby Kirkland on an 80-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and Alex Wertz on a seven-yard score with 13:35 to play. His other five completions accounted for 157 yards at 31.4 yards per completion. That included a 59-yard completion to Montgomery Owens down to the H-SC 1-yard line to setup a touchdown with 0:13 on the second quarter clock for a 20-17 halftime edge. Pollard added another touchdown on a 23-yard jaunt in the first quarter. He finished with 58 yards on 14 carries for the game.
  • Dean Johnson, Washington and Lee, So., Defensive Back
    September 22, 2019
    Johnson, a sophomore from Atlanta, Ga., helped spearhead a strong defensive effort by the Generals in their 52-14 triumph over Guilford in their ODAC opener. Washington and Lee forced the Quakers into five turnovers and limited them to just 43 yards on the ground. Johnson led the unit with nine tackles including seven solo stops. He was also in on two of the five takeaways. His first came on Guilford's opening drive of the second half. After W&L had taken a 24-7 lead, Guilford drove down the field into Generals' territory. A completed pass pushed GC inside the W&L 5-yard line, but was thwarted when Johnson jarred the ball loose at the three and Owen Roberts recovered the fumble for the Generals at the 1-yard line. W&L scored a touchdown four plays later. Just before the end of the third quarter, Johnson intercepted a Quakers' pass at the GC 49-yard line and returned it nine yards to setup another Generals' touchdown seven plays later. Johnson currently has 19 tackles on the season including 13 solo stops. The forced fumble and interception versus Guilford were his first contributions to the W&L turnover game this season.
  • Akiva Wedge, Southern Virginia, Sr., Running Back
    September 22, 2019
    Wedge, a senior from Forestville, Md., was a highlight reel of big plays on the way to a career day in the Knights 29-17 victory over Hampden-Sydney in their ODAC debut. Southern Virginia is 2-0 overall for the first time since the program joined NCAA Division III in 2012. Wedge carried the ball 19 times versus Hampden-Sydney, setting career-highs with three touchdowns and 237 yards on the ground. The yardage total, which marks an ODAC season-high, along with his 12.5 yards per carry set new Southern Virginia program records. Wedge put the first points of the game on the scoreboard with a 41-yard touchdown run to cap the Knights' first possession. After SVU trailed 17-7 at the half, Wedge put the Knights' final two touchdowns on the board of three unanswered second-half scores. Both came in the fourth quarter, starting with a 71-yard sprint that gave Southern Virginia the lead for good with 10:52 to play. He put the game out of reach with 4:51 to play with a 53-yard scoring scamper, marking his third TD of 41 or more yards. Wedge added 34 yards on four receptions to finish with 271 all-purpose yards. Wedge currently leads the ODAC with 151.0 rushing yards per game and four rushing touchdowns. He is third with 302 total rushing yards.
  • Tre Frederick, Randolph-Macon, Sr., Running Back
    September 15, 2019
    Frederick, a senior from Angier, N.C., was active often and explosive in Randolph-Macon's rushing game to help lead Randolph-Macon to a 30-27 victory at Averett University on Saturday. Frederick ran for an ODAC season-high 198 yards on 29 carries, good for 6.8 per rush. He was especially effective on the game-winning drive late in the fourth quarter. He carried the ball seven times for 56 yards on that possession, including a seven yard-rush late-on that gave him 4,282 yards for his career to become the ODAC's all-time career leading rusher. He celebrated snapping the 32-year old standard set by former Randolph-Macon standout Remon Smith (4,276 yards from 1984-87) by ripping off the would-be game-winning 33-yard touchdown run with with 1:14 to play. The TD scamper was his seventh rush of 10 or more yards in the game. Frederick, who leads the ODAC with 260 yards rushing thru the first two weeks, sits at 4,316 yards on 776 yards (5.6 ypc) for his career.
  • Re'Shaun Myers, Bridgewater, Sr., Linebacker
    September 15, 2019
    Myers, a senior from Ringgold, Va., was all over the gridiron -- especially the Mustangs' backfield -- in Bridgewater's 37-22 victory at Stevenson on Saturday. Myers, the 2018 ODAC Lou Wacker Defensive Player of the Year, led all ODAC players this week with 12 tackles with eight solo stops to lead Bridgewater to a first-half shutout of Stevenson, which was receiving votes towards last week's D3football.com Top-25 poll. Myers registered a league-best 4.0 tackles for a loss that cost Stevenson 20 yards of offense. He was especially effective rushing the passer as he registered 3.0 sacks setting back the Mustangs 18 yards. Two of those sacks were akin to turnovers as he stopped a pair of drives with third-down sacks. Both of those stops led to Bridgewater points, while his final sack came on the Mustangs' last possession before BC ran out the clock for the win. Myers is currently second in the ODAC in tackles (21), first in TFLs (5.0), and tied for first with teammate Gary Ramey, Jr., in sacks (4.0).
  • Chase Rosenthal, Bridgewater, Jr., Cornerback
    September 08, 2019
    Rosenthal, a junior from Chesapeake, Va., had a hand in two of the three turnovers forced by Bridgewater's defense and helped put points on the board in the Eagles 41-10 triumph over Gettysburg. Rosenthal, who made one tackle on the day, came up with a pair of first-half interceptions as the Eagles built a 34-0 edge at halftime. His first takeaway came late in the first quarter and with the Bullets pinned deep in their own territory. On the first play of the drive, Rosenthal intercepted a pass at the 8-yard line and scampered to the end zone for a 13-0 BC advantage. His second interception came a few minutes before halftime. With Gettysburg in BC territory, Rosenthal intercepted a pass at the Eagles' 28-yard line and returned it 36 yards to the Bullets 36. Three plays later, Bridgewater tacked on its final points of the half to go up 34-0
  • Jarrod Denham, Bridgewater, Sr., Running Back/Receiver
    September 08, 2019
    Denham, a senior from Alexandria, Va., was lightning in a bottle for the Eagles in their 41-10 season-opening victory over Gettysburg College. Denham touched the ball just three times in the contest, but all three resulted in touchdowns covering 14 or more yards. He opened the game's scoring early in the first quarter when he hauled in an over-the-shoulder throw from Jay Scroggins for a 41-yard touchdown reception. Denham etched his name in the BC record books with his second score midway thru the second quarter. He burst thru the line for a 93-yard touchdown run, marking the second-longest rush in school history. He found the painted grass for a third time early in the fourth quarter. Denham took an end-around hand-off 14 yards for the score, capping his day with 141 all-purpose yards.