Ballanger, Crawford Claim Weekly Laurel

William Penn University Athletics

Oskaloosa–Another week and another award, or make it awards, for the Willliam Penn football team as the Midwest League Player of the Week honors were announced today.

Senior quarterback Jacob Ballanger (Carlisle, Waldorf) was named Offensive POW, while junior receiver/returner Chris Crawford (Muskegon, Mich., Grand Valley State) collected Special Team POW accolades. The duo helped #8 nationally-ranked William Penn (3-0) to a 24-13 win over Luther Saturday.

Ballanger started in place of injured signal caller Taylor Parsons (So., The Woodlands, Texas, College Park HS) and performed at a high level. The senior ran 16 times for 83 yards and also completed two of six passes for 16 yards and a touchdown.

For the year, Ballanger has rushed 23 times for 111 yards and a score and is 2-of-7 in the air for 16 yards and a TD.

Crawford iced the victory with his first punt return touchdown as a Statesmen, going 49 yards to paydirt in the fourth quarter. The score is the first in the punt game for William Penn since Andrew Harris went 47 yards against Quincy on September 19, 2009.

The junior had three other punt returns for 26 yards and one kickoff return for 16 yards.

For the year, Crawford has four punt returns for an average of 18.8 yards and one kickoff return for a 16.0 clip. As a receiver, he has caught two passes for 16 yards.

The awards are the third and fourth of the year for the football program (previous two were on defense).