Plethora of Awards for Statesmen Following Blowout

William Penn Football 2012 (file photo)

Oskaloosa–Every aspect of last Saturday’s dominating gridiron performance was given its due recognition as weekly awards were announced.

Fullback Tye Sparks (Jr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) was named Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week and placekicker Marcus Kerrigan (Jr., Cary, Ill., Cary-Grove HS) earned MWL Special Teams POW honors, while the entire Statesmen defense received NAIA Defense of the Week status by Beyond Sports Network. This all comes on the heels of #14 William Penn’s (2-0) 54-0 drubbing of Bethel (Kan.) Saturday.

Sparks, in the first varsity action of his career, rushed the ball 22 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns. The Statesmen gained 365 yards on the ground.

Kerrigan was nearly perfect with his foot, going 4-of-5 in extra points, but more impressively making both of his field-goal tries. He opened Saturday’s scoring with a 34-yarder, and concluded it with a 52-yarder. The latter conversion tied for the third-longest field goal in school history and is the longest since 1990. The junior added two touchbacks on kickoffs as well.

William Penn’s defense limited the Threshers to just 49 yards of total offense, highlighted by just five rushing yards. The tally is the lowest amount since the navy and gold joined the NAIA in 2001. The Statesmen forced four turnovers on the day, taking one fumble back for a score. A safety, the third this year, was also recorded.

For a complete list of BSN’s national Athletes of the Week, go to http://bsncollege.com/pages/2012aotw