SoCon names football players of the week

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – On Monday, the Southern Conference Football Players of the Week presented by Southern Recognition were awarded for all games played last week. The Citadel running back Gavin Garcia was named the Offensive Player of the Week, Tennessee Tech defensive back Omari Philyaw was named the Defensive Player of the Week and Wofford punter Cillian Bonner was named the Special Teams Player of the Week. The awards are selected by the league office.
 
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Gavin Garcia, Gr., RB, The Citadel, Catawissa, Pa.

Garcia rushed for 137 yards on 21 carries as The Citadel picked up a 43-41 win at Charlotte in three overtimes on Saturday. The graduate student recorded three touchdowns, including a 25-yard scamper in the first overtime which was named the No. 3 play of the day on ESPN’s SportsCenter Top 10. The native of Catawissa, Pennsylvania, logged his other two scores from two yards out in the first quarter, and an 1-yard score in the third quarter. On Monday, The Citadel was named the Stats Perform FCS National Team of the Week for the squad’s victory over Charlotte. The victory marked the first win for a SoCon team over an FBS opponent since 2021.

Other nominees: TJ Peyton (ETSU), Jaylen King (Mercer), and Lex Thomas (Western Carolina)
 
 
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Omari Philyaw, Sr., DB, Tennessee Tech, Charlotte, N.C.
Philyaw had seven tackles and an interception in Tennessee Tech’s 24-9 road win over Chattanooga on Saturday. The senior was part of a defense that allowed just 37 passing yards against the Mocs. The product of Charlotte, North Carolina, recorded his pick in the third quarter at the 2:17 mark, which led to a Golden Eagles touchdown three plays later, making the score 17-6.

 
Other nominees: Zyion Brown (The Citadel), Dre Delinois (ETSU), Jyarius Carter (Mercer), Jayden Cornelius (Western Carolina) and Alijah Williams (Wofford)
 
 
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cillian Bonner, So., P, Wofford, Lettermacaward, Ireland
On Saturday, Bonner punted six times, covering 283 yards in Wofford’s 17-13 win versus Gardner-Webb. The native of Lettermacaward, Ireland, had three punts downed inside the 5-yard line, two at the one-yard line and one at the two-yard line. The sophomore also booted a career-long punt of 56 yards in the third quarter.

 
Other nominees: Braylon Knauth (The Citadel), Mykel Calixte (Mercer), Chase Lanham (Tennessee Tech), and Bryan McCollum (Western Carolina)
 
2026 SoCon Football Players of the Week
Offensive
Aug. 31             Lex Thomas, Jr., QB, Western Carolina

Sept. 7             Gavin Garcia, Gr., RB, The Citadel
 
Defensive
Aug. 31             Cameron Goggins, Sr., CB, Mercer
Sept. 7             Omari Philyaw, Sr., DB, Tennessee Tech 

Special teams
Aug. 31             Davis Penn, Fr., RB, Wofford

Sept. 7             Cillian Bonner, So., P, Wofford