'Jacks Sweep Player of the Week Honors
10/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 13, 2002
PLANO, Texas -- After leading Stephen F. Austin to a road victory at Nicholls State, Tony Tompkins, Braxton O'Banion and Stephen Coker have been voted Southland Conference players of the week. Jacksonville State's Richie Rhodes shares the special teams honor with Coker after helping JSU to a Southland win over Sam Houston State. Following is a look at the performances for each.
Southland Conference Players of the Week
Offense Tony Tompkins, Stephen F. Austin, RB, 5-9, 165, Fr., Pt. Arthur, Texas
Tompkins rushed the ball 23 times for 154 yards and two touchdowns against Nicholls State in SFA's 17-14 win. Tompkins scored on runs of 11 and 14-yards for SFA's only two touchdowns on the night. Tompkins was the 'Jacks leading rusher and part of the 'Jacks 288 yards on the ground against the Southland Conference's second ranked run defense.
Defense Braxton O'Banion, Stephen F. Austin, DB, 5-11, 180, Sr., Houston, Texas
O'Banion was part of a Lumberjack defensive unit that allowed Nicholls State just 202 yards of total offense. O'Banion was credited with four solo stops and added three assists on the night. He also broke up two passes and had one interception at the SFA goal line which he returned 57 yards to the Nicholls' 43-yard line to set up the 'Jacks winning field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Co-Special Teams Stephen Coker, Stephen F. Austin, K, 6-2, 185, Fr., Lufkin, Texas
Coker missed for only the second time this season early in the fourth quarter from 39 yards out, but bounced back with less than three minutes remaining in the game to nail a 19-yarder that proved to be the game winner in SFA's Southland Conference opener, a 17-14 win at Nicholls State. Coker was also 2-2 on extra-point attempts on the night.
Richie Rhodes, Jacksonville State, Punter, Alexander City, Ala.
Sophomore All-American punter Richie Rhodes wins the award for the second week in a row. He finished the game with a season-high 45.7 yard punting average, including a long of 55 yards. He finished with six punts for 274 yards and pinned the Bearkats inside the four-yard line to help secure a JSU 28-22 come-from-behind win over Sam Houston State.
HONOR ROLL
Offense: Ralph Jenkins, JSU; Derrick Johnese, NWLa.
Defense: Markee Coleman, JSU; Brad Dickinson, SWT; Kurt Rodriguez, NWLa.; David Willis, NICH.
Special Teams: Marvin McCurry, SWT; Toby Zeigler, NWLa.
