Tech’s Cooper named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week
Several former local football standouts have gone on to the next level to play college football and many are making an impact for their teams this season. More than 30 players that graduated from either Calhoun, Gordon Central or Sonoraville can be found on college football rosters throughout the nation, and several of those saw action in their team’s most recent game.
Here’s a roundup of the former local players who appeared in the box score and how they did last week:
KENNY COOPER Georgia Tech, Sonoraville
Cooper was a big part of the Yellow Jackets’ 33-7 victory over North Carolina in ACC play last Saturday as the sophomore starting center helped pave the way for the Georgia Tech offense to run for 403 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and throw for an additional 53 yards and a score. The former Phoenix took 10 defenders to the ground on blocks and was awarded for his effort as he was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week.
KAELAN RILEY Mercer, Calhoun
Riley threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns with one interception on 13-of-24 passes in the Bears’ 49-14 win at home over Virginia Military Institute. The redshirt-freshman quarterback also ran for 26 yards on seven carries.
CHANDLER CURTIS Mercer, Calhoun
Curtis had two catches for 82 yards, which both went for touchdowns, in the Bears’ 49-14 home win over VMI last Saturday. His TD catches were for 61 and 21 yards. The senior receiver also returned two kickoffs for a total of 48 yards.
JIREH WILSON Wofford, Calhoun
Wilson had two solo and two assists for a total of four tackles in the Terriers’ 31-7 win at Presbyterian last Saturday. The sophomore linebacker also had a half a tackle for loss.
DREW McENTYRE The Citadel, Calhoun
McEntyre, a sophomore, got the start at right tackle for the Bulldogs in their 35-14 loss at Samford last Saturday.
NOAH DAVENPORT Limestone College, Calhoun
Davenport, a freshman, got the start for the Saints at left guard and helped in their 56-49 double-overtime victory on the road over Mars Hill last Saturday.
AUSTIN SOUT Monroe College, Calhoun
Stout, a freshman, got the start on the offensive line for the Mustangs in their 33-3 home win over the New Jersey Warriors last Saturday.
LANDON RICE Misssissippi Gulf Coast, Calhoun
Rice, a freshman tight end, had one catch for two yards in the Bulldogs’ 28-21 loss at Hinds Community College last Thursday.
TRISTAN FULLER Sewanee, Calhoun
Fuller, a junior defensive lineman, had one assisted tackle and a half a tackle for loss in the Tigers’ 48-42 home loss to Hendrix last Saturday.
TRENT FRIX Georgia, Calhoun
Frix, a senior, handled long-snapping duties for the Bulldogs in their 41-0 win at Tennessee last Saturday.
DREW McCRACKEN Kennesaw State, Calhoun
McCracken, a junior, handled long-snapping duties for the Owls in their 38-34 win at home over North Greenville last Saturday.
MARCUS (MJ) REYNOLDS Lane College, Gordon Central
Reynolds, a junior quarterback, threw for 10 yards and an interception and ran for nine yards in the Dragons’ 28-23 loss at home to Tuskegee College last Saturday.
DJ PRATHER Chattanooga, Gordon Central
Prather, a junior senior defensive lineman, participated but didn’t record any stats in the Mocs’ 45-7 loss at home against Western Carolina last Saturday.
THOMAS LESTER West Georgia, Calhoun
Lester, a junior wide receiver, participated but didn’t record any stats in the Wolves’ 37-23 win at home over North Alabama last Saturday.
AUSTIN BYRD Kennesaw State, Calhoun
Byrd, a redshirt-junior tight end, participated but didn’t record any stats in the Owls’ 38-34 win at home over North Greenville last Saturday.
NOTE: WILLIAM LONG Penn, Calhoun
Long, a freshman, got playing time at offensive tackle in the Penn JV game against Rowan University last Sunday.
If there is a former local player getting on the field for their college football team and we left them out, let us know by emailing afarrer@ calhountimes.com.