PFL Players of the Week: Week 1
Sunday, September 4, 2016 by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations The PFL's first weekly honors of 2016 were awarded to Campbell senior running back De'Shawn Jones (offensive), Valparaiso junior defensive back Kellan Hughes (defensive) as well as Campbell sophomore return specialist Trey Sanders and Valparaiso junior kicker Jake Simpson (co-special teams).
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OFFENSIVE De’Shawn Jones, Campbell Senior | Running Back Fayetteville, North Carolina Jones scored three consecutive touchdowns to lead Campbell past Bluefield, 59-7, Saturday. The PFL’s returning leading rusher, he got 2016 off to a quick start with 16 carries for 142 yards. Jones was one of only seven FCS players to rush for three touchdowns in Week 1 action and nearly scored all three on consecutive Campbell drives. His three touchdown runs included a 74-yard burst that extended Campbell’s lead to 28-0 early in the second quarter.
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED THIS WEEK Anthony Scaccia (BUT), Jaris Scott (DAV), Alex Jeske (DAY), Eric Saubert (DRA), Juston Christian (MAR), Jonah Hodges (SAN), Gaven DeFilippo (STE)
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DEFENSIVE Kellan Hughes, Valparaiso Junior | Defensive Back Cicero, Indiana Hughes returned an interception for Valparaiso’s lone touchdown in a 50-13 loss to No. 8 Illinois State, Saturday. His 30-yard interception return for a score came late in the second quarter and helped the Crusaders close to within 24-10. Hughes was one of only four FCS defenders to return an interception for a touchdown in Week 1 and it was his first career touchdown. He also had nine tackles (one shy of his career high), including six solo stops, and added a pass breakup in the contest.
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED THIS WEEK David Starkey (BUT), Ray Miller (CAM), Ryan Leak (DAV), David Leisring (DAY), Taylor Coleman (DRA), , Jonathan Petersen (SAN), David Lazear (STE)
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CO-SPECIAL TEAMS Trey Sanders, Campbell Sophomore (RS) | Wide Receiver Riverdale, Georgia Sanders opened the scoring with a punt return for a touchdown in Campbell’s 59-7 victory against Bluefield, Saturday. His punt return came at the end of Bluefield’s first possession as he returned a punt 55 yards for the score. Sanders averaged 21.2 yards on five punt returns and also had a 16-yard return on the opening kickoff. He was one of five FCS players to score a punt return touchdown in the opening weekend.
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CO-SPECIAL TEAMS Jake Simpson, Valparaiso Junior | Kicker Wyandotte, Michigan Simpson hit a pair of 40-plus yard field goals in Valparaiso’s 50-13 loss to No. 8 Illinois State, Saturday. He got the Crusaders on the scoreboard with a 45-yard kick in the first quarter and ended the game’s scoring with a 43-yard boot. Simpson became the first Valparaiso kicker since 2008 to boot two 40-plus yard field goals in a game. He also averaged 53.0 yards on his four kickoffs.
OTHER PLAYERS NOMINATED THIS WEEK Ian Dobeck (BUT), Ben Rowell (DAV), Sean Smith (DAY), Conley Wilkins (DRA), Mike Maccarone (MAR), Patrick Murray (SAN), Donald Payne (STE)
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