Murphy plays in Vikings’ first-ever playoff win over Huntingdon
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:
HAYDEN MURPHY Berry, Gordon Central
Murphy, a sophomore tight end, participated but didn’t record any stats in the Vikings’ 34-20 home victory over Huntingdon in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Berry (11-0) will now visit St. Thomas (Minn.) in the second round on Saturday.
JIREH WILSON Wofford, Calhoun
Wilson, a sophomore linebacker, had seven solo and two assists for nine total tackles in the Terriers’ 31-10 loss at South Carolina last Saturday. Wofford (9-2) received a bye in the first round of the FCS Playoffs and will host the winner of Elon and Furman on Dec. 2 in the second round.
KENNY COOPER Georgia Tech, Sonoraville
Cooper, a sophomore, started at center in the Jackets’ 43-20 loss at Duke last Saturday.
KAELAN RILEY Mercer, Calhoun
Riley threw for 44 yards on 6- of- 19 passing with three interceptions in the Bears’ 61-0 loss at Alabama last Saturday. The redshirt-freshman also ran for 10 yards on three carries. Riley received the Southern Conference Freshman of the Year Award and was named to the All-Freshman Offense this week.
CHANDLER CURTIS Mercer, Calhoun
Curtis returned three kickoffs for a total of 60 yards with a long of 40 in the Bears’ 61-0 loss at Alabama last Saturday. The senior receiver received postseason recognition this week when he was named to the Southern Conference First Team Special Teams as a returner.
TRENT FRIX Georgia, Calhoun
Frix handled long-snapping duties in the Bulldogs’ 42-13 win at home over Kentucky last Saturday. He was also one of 31 Georgia seniors honored prior to the game as part of Senior Day festivities.
DREW McENTYRE The Citadel, Calhoun
McEntyre, a sophomore, started at right tackle in the Bulldogs in their 61-3 loss at Clemson last Saturday.
AUSTIN STOUT Monroe College, Calhoun
Stout, a freshman offensive lineman, was named to the All-Northeast Football Conference First Team Offense this week.
DJ PRATHER Chattanooga, Gordon Central
Prather, a senior defensive lineman, had one quarterback hit in the Mocs’ 10-3 home win over East Tennessee State last Saturday.
DREW McCRACKEN Kennesaw State, Calhoun
McCracken, a junior, handled long-snapping duties in the Owls’ 52-21 home win over Monmouth last Saturday which clinched the team’s first Big South Conference title. Kennesaw State (10-1) will host Samford on Saturday in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.
AUSTIN BYRD Kennesaw State, Calhoun
Byrd, a redshirt-junior tight end, participated but didn’t record any stats in the Owls’ 52-21 home win over Monmouth last Saturday which clinched the team’s first Big South Conference title. Kennesaw State (10-1) will host Samford on Saturday in the first round of the FCS Playoffs.
NOTE:
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.