PITMAN --- The New Jersey Athletic Conference announced its football weekly honors for the week ending Oct. 25.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BRANDON PEÑA • Christopher Newport University
Sophomore • Quarterback • Ashburn, VA/John Champe
Pena earns NJAC Offensive Player of the Week honors after accounting for five touchdowns in the first half of No. 10 Christopher Newport’s 63-6 win over Vermont State-Castleton. The sophomore completed 19 of 27 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His scoring throws went to four different receivers, covering 10, 13, 26 and 4 yards. Pena also ran for a 12-yard score, finishing with 24 rushing yards on five carries. The Captains led 49-6 at halftime on the way to their seventh straight victory. He leads NJAC quarterbacks with a 68.7 pass completion rate and 10 TDs.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
JAHMIR BEAL • Montclair State University
Sophomore • Safety • Perth Amboy, NJ/Woodbridge
Beal has been named NJAC Defensive Player of the Week after anchoring a Montclair State defense that shut down No. 23 Salisbury in a 24-14 Red Hawks road victory. The sophomore safety made eight tackles (five solo), including two tackles for loss totaling 10 yards. His late-game sack for a loss of seven helped stall Salisbury’s final drive and seal the win. Montclair State held the Sea Gulls to season lows in total yards (295), passing yards (67) and points (14). The Red Hawks also kept Salisbury off the scoreboard in the second half.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
BRENDAN McGONIGLE • Montclair State University
Fifth Year • Kicker/Punter • Ocean City, NJ/Ocean City
McGonigle claims NJAC Special Teams Player of the Week after converting a 48-yard field goal as time expired in the first half of Montclair State’s 24-14 win over Salisbury to give the Red Hawks momentum heading into the break. He also handled the punting duties, averaging 39.5 yards on four punts with a long of 47. The Red Hawks held the Sea Gulls scoreless in the second half to close out the win.
OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
BRAYLON ADDY • Christopher Newport University
Freshman • Wide Receiver • Bristow, VA/Patriot
Addy garners NJAC Offensive Rookie of the Week after scoring twice in No. 10 Christopher Newport’s 63-6 victory over Vermont State-Castleton. The freshman caught six passes for 149 yards. He opened the scoring with a 10-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, then added a 16-yard rushing touchdown. Addy’s receptions included an 82-yard catch-and-run. It was the longest non-scoring pass play in program history. Addy ranks fifth in the NJAC with 49.7 receiving yards per game in conference play.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
COLE DESSICINO • Kean University
Freshman • Safety • Absecon, NJ/Ocean City
Dessicino has been selected as NJAC Defensive Rookie of the Week after intercepting two passes in the end zone in Kean’s 30-15 homecoming win over William Paterson. Both of the freshman safety’s interceptions ended Pioneer scoring threats. He also made four tackles as the Cougars secured the conference victory. He is now tied for second in the NJAC with the two picks in conference play.