Sunday, November 19, 2023
by Cody Bush, PFL Media Relations

ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Pioneer Football League announced its Week 12 Player of the Week honors to conclude the 2023 season. San Diego all-purpose back Re-al Mitchell and linebacker Jayden Wickware were the league’s offensive and special teams honorees. Presbyterian’s Brooks Russ-Martin earned the league’s defensive award.

Offensive

Re-al Mitchell, San Diego (Graduate, All-Purpose Back, Eastvale, California)

Mitchell was responsible for three touchdowns, two receiving and one rushing, in San Diego’s 47-20 PFL victory at Stetson Saturday. He finished the day with 12 receptions for 90 yards and two touchdowns and added eight rushing yards on two carries. Mitchell’s first touchdown at the 5:07 mark of the third quarter helped the Toreros extend their lead to 11 points after Stetson closed to within four points to start the second half. He helped break the game open with touchdowns on back-to-back San Diego drives in the fourth quarter, providing a six-yard touchdown run and then a 12-yard touchdown reception, pushing the lead to 40-13.

Others Nominated

• Logan Brabham, Marist (RSo., Quarterback, Palm Bay, Fla.) passed for 328 yards on 31-of-51 passing with three touchdowns against Bucknell.
• Ronnel Johnson, Stetson (Fr., Wide Receiver, McDonough, Ga.) scored two touchdowns in a nine-reception, 155-yard outing against San Diego.
• Luke Hansen, Dayton (Fr., Running Back, Indianapolis, Ind.) amassed 162 yards on 27 carries and had a touchdown reception at Davidson.
• Solomon Davis, Valparaiso (RSr., Wide Receiver, Brighton, Tenn.) had eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown at St. Thomas.

Defensive

Brooks Russ-Martin, Presbyterian (Junior, Defensive Back, Travelers Rest, South Carolina)

Russ-Martin’s 97-yard fumble return for a touchdown highlighted his busy day in Presbyterian’s 31-27 PFL victory against Morehead State Saturday. He finished with six tackles (four solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, a fumble forced, a fumble recovered, an interception, and a pass breakup. With the Blue Hose trailing 20-10 late in the third quarter, Mitchell jump-started the comeback effort with a tackle for loss that saw him force a fumble at the Presbyterian one-yard line. He picked up the fumble and ran 97 yards for a touchdown. After Presbyterian took its 31-27 lead, he helped seal the win with an interception on Morehead State’s ensuing drive, then broke up a pass the Blue Hose intercepted on the Eagles’ final drive.

Others Nominated

• Zamir Wallace, San Diego (Grad., Cornerback, Fairfield, Calif.) had two interceptions, including a 30-yard pick-six, with three tackles (two solo).
• Finn Claypool, Drake (RSo., Defensive Lineman, Des Moines, Iowa) had two sacks and three tackles for loss in a nine-tackle (six solo) effort against Butler.
• Ca’ron Coleman, Dayton (Jr., Safety, Piqua, Ohio) had 14 tackles (eight solo) as part of a Dayton defense that held Davidson to 28 points under its scoring average.
• Evan Annis, Valparaiso (RSr., Linebacker, Hilliard, Ohio) finished with nine tackles (two solo) at St. Thomas.

Special Teams

Jayden Wickware, San Diego (Graduate, Linebacker, San Diego, California)

Wickware fielded an on-side kick and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown in San Diego’s 47-20 PFL victory at Stetson Saturday. With Stetson attempting to rally following a touchdown with 1:41 left, Wickware closed the door with his 43-yard kickoff return for a score. He also had five tackles and a tackle for loss in his regular defensive responsibilities. 

Others Nominated

• Jayden Wickware, San Diego (Grad., Linebacker, San Diego, Calif.) returned an on-side kick 43 yards for a touchdown to seal the win at Stetson.
• Logan Forcum, Dayton (RFr., Punter, Cincinnati, Ohio) provided a 55-yard punt, downed inside the 20-yard line, on his only attempt of the night at Davidson.
• Evan Matthes, Valparaiso (6th-Yr., Punter, Reston, Va.) averaged 45.8 yards on five punts, including a 49-yarder, with three punts downed inside the 20-yard line.