ARKADELPHIA -- Ouachita Baptist defensive back and Henderson State punter Angel Esparza were recognized this week by the Great American Conference for their performances in games on Saturday.
Parker, a senior from San Diego, made 15 total tackles and six solo tackles to go with an interception returned three yards for a touchdown in the Tigers' 32-16 road win at Southeastern Oklahoma State (1-2) to be named the GAC Defensive Player of the Week. He added a tackle for a loss and three pass breakups as the Tigers improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
Esparza, a junior from Duarte, Calif., was voted GAC Special Team Player of the Week after he averaged 39.8 yards on 10 punts with a long of 65 yards and five punts downed inside the 20-yard line in Henderson's 30-24 road loss at Northwestern Oklahoma State (1-2). He also made a touchdown saving tackle for Henderson (1-2) in the second quarter on a punt return.
Henderson safety Malik Brown was nominated for the defensive award after making seven tackles against the Rangers. Also nominated were Northwestern linebacker Jimmie Pace, Arkansas Tech linebacker K.J. Reid, East Central defensive lineman Andre Shelton, Southern Arkansas defensive lineman Anthony Washington and Arkansas-Monticello linebacker Brandon Young.
Nominees for the special teams award included Southeastern punter and kicker Joel Carlos, East Central punter and kicker Jackson Preston, Harding punter and kicker Cameron Scott, and Southern Arkansas punter Jordan White.
Southern Arkansas receiver Karonce Higgins received the GAC Offensive Player of the Week award after catching 13 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns in Southern Arkansas' 32-16 road win at Southwestern Oklahoma State (1-2). His 237 yards for the Muleriders (3-0) represented the most in Division II this season and the third-most in GAC history.
Ouachita Baptist Brayden Brazeal earned a nomination with 136 rushing yards and 108 passing yards. Henderson receiver John Murray was nominated after making nine catches for 176 yards against the Rangers. Also nominated were Arkansas Tech quarterback Carter Burcham, Harding running back Tristan Tucker and Northwestern running back Jacob Peyton.
The Reddies will be back at home on Saturday to host Southwestern at 6 p.m. The Tigers will host East Central (1-2) also at 6 p.m. on Saturday.
Henderson (13-2, 2-0) had two players nominated for volleyball awards this week as the Reddies extended their winning streak to 12 matches with a straight-set victory over Mid-America Christian (7-3). Outside hitter Courtney Bolf averaged 3.5 kills per set to earn a nomination for the offensive award.
Harding senior Zoe Hardin was named GAC Offensive Player of the Week. Also nominated were Southwestern's Danusia Sipa Borgeaud, Southeastern's Abby Jameson, Oklahoma Baptist's Malia Leatherland, Southern Arkansas' Lauren Smith and Southern Nazarene's Bailee Turang.
Another Harding senior, Taylor Lake, took Defensive Player of the Week honors. The other nominees were Southern Arkansas' Camryn Bihary, Oklahoma Baptist's Kelsi Chavez, Southeastern's Caitlin Cosby, Southwestern's Kaitlyn Dillon and Arkansas Tech's Mackenzie Eford.
Southwestern sophomore Allie Hoang was named Setter of the Week. Reddie freshman Taylor Scalzi was nominated after averaging 8.63 in a double-double on Thursday against Southern Arkansas (3-10, 0-3). Harding's Rachel Heussner and Southern Arkansas' Lexi Kruse also received nominations.
Sports on 09/19/2018