Week 10 CIAA Footballers of the Week

FOOD LION OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

#76 Darian Bryant, Virginia Union
(Gr., OL - Philadelphia, PA)

Darian Bryant is the veteran on an offensive line that powered the Panthers to 458 yards of total offense and 7.6 yards per play in the Panthers' 33-21 win over Virginia State. On the ground, Virginia Union gained 181 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 5.2 yards per carry. Through the air, Bryant and the rest of the offensive line did not surrender a sack on 25 passing attempts as the Panthers threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns. Virginia Union gained 24 first downs, converted five-of-11 third downs, went a perfect two-for-two on fourth downs, and scored on five of seven redzone trips.

FOOD LION QUARTERBACK OF THE WEEK

#7 Rashad McKee, Chowan
(Jr., QB - Huber Heights, Ohio)

Rashad McKee scored a season-high five touchdowns in Chowan's 54-8 win over Elizabeth City State to clinch the Hawks' first Northern Division title. The junior completed 15-of-19 passes for 172 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 89 yards and two more scores on eight carries. The Huber Heights, Ohio native threw touchdowns of 8 yards, 37 yards, and 51 yards, while rushing for an 8-yard and 45-yard touchdown. He ran or passed for Chowan's first five touchdowns en route to a 34-0 fourth quarter lead. His 78.9 completion percentage was also a season-high.

FOOD LION RECEIVER OF THE WEEK

#0 John Jiles, Virginia Union
(Jr., WR - Wake Forest, NC)

John Jiles caught five passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns in the Panthers' win over Virginia State. His 116 yards and two scores were season-highs. The junior also had a 27-yard rush, finishing with six touches and 143 yards. His 27-yard run moved Virginia Union inside the Trojans' 10-yard line and resulted in a Panthers' touchdown. The Wake Forest, NC caught touchdowns of 18 yards and 49 yards and had a 33-yard reception that moved Virginia Union into the redzone. His second touchdown -- the 49-yarder, gave the Panthers a 30-21 third quarter lead.

FOOD LION OFFENSIVE BACK OF THE WEEK

#25 Sidney Gibbs, Shaw
(Jr., RB - Black Mountain, NC)

Sidney Gibbs ran the ball 26 times for 193 yards (7.4 yards per carry) and three touchdowns -- all season-highs for the junior in the 30-27 overtime win over St. Augustine's. The Black Mountain, NC native's three rushing touchdowns ties a program record. The running back scored on touchdowns of 2 yards, 14 yards, and 48 yards. The 14-yard touchdown gave the Bears a 27-20 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Gibbs also added one reception for 20 yards and gained 11 first downs.

FOOD LION DEFENSIVE BACK OF THE WEEK

#0 Kai Gray, Lincoln (PA)
(Sr., DB - Newark, NJ)

Kai Gray had a game-high 15 total tackles in the 41-24 loss to Bowie State. The senior recorded eight solo tackles. With the Bulldogs at the goal line, the Newark, NJ native forced a touchdown-saving fumble that was recovered by the Lions in the fourth quarter.

FOOD LION LINEBACKER OF THE WEEK

#6 Damontay Rhem, Virginia Union
(Gr.,  LB - Wendell, NC)

Damontay Rhem registered a game-high and career-high 16 total tackles in the Panthers' win. The graduate student was credited with four solo tackles and an assisted tackle for a loss. The Wendell, NC native had six tackles that resulted in gains of two yards or less for Virginia State. 16 tackles were the most in a single game by a Virginia Union player since 2007.

FOOD LION DEFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK

#9 Xzavier Hines, Virginia Union
(Sr., DL - Lanham, MD) 

Xzavier Hines tallied eight total tackles, an interception, and an assisted sack in the victory over Virginia State. Leading 26-21 at the start of the fourth quarter, the senior earned a crucial interception at his own eight-yard line, which prevented the Trojans from putting additional points on the board. The Lanham, MD also assisted on a third down sack in the fourth quarter that forced a Trojans' punt and four of the senior's eight tackles resulted in gains of two yards or less for the Trojans.

FOOD LION SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK

#43 Justin Zavala, Bowie State
(r-So., K/P - Bowie, MD) 

Justin Zavala handled point-after duties, kickoff duties, and punting duties in the Bulldogs' 41-24 win over Lincoln (PA). The redshirt sophomore made five-of-six point-after attempts, landed all three of his punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and recorded two touchbacks on seven kickoffs. The Bowie, MD native totaled three punts for 116 yards (38.9 average), had a longest punt of 54 yards, and two punts that were downed at the seven-yard line and the nine-yard line. He also averaged 59 kickoff yards on his seven kickoffs.

FOOD LION ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

#27 Jamieson Alston, St. Augustine's
(Fr, LB - Fayetteville, NC)

Jamieson Alston recorded 16 total tackles, including 13 solo stops and three tackles for losses, all game-highs and season-highs in the 30-27 overtime loss to Shaw. Nine of the Fayetteville, NC native's tackles resulted in gains of three yards or less for Shaw.