Week 1: AAC Football Players of the Week

August 28, 2023

WALESKA, Ga. - Thomas Lee of Bluefield is the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Tramonte Gardner of Union and Jakob Headley of Pikeville are the Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively.

The league announced the awards on Monday.

This is the first edition of the awards for the 2023 season. The next set of awards will be announced on Sept. 4.

AAC Defensive Player of the Week
Tramonte Gardner - Union - Senior - Valdosta, Ga.

Recorded 11 tackles (6 solo) in Union's 27-0 win at Cumberland (Tenn.).
Broke up 2 passes and had 1 quarterback hurry.
On Cumberland's first offensive play of the game, he deflected a pass that resulted in an interception.
The win snapped Union's 19-game losing streak.
First shutout win for Union since Sept. 10, 2011 - a 27-0 win over Kentucky Christian.
This is his first weekly honor of the season.

AAC Offensive Player of the Week
Thomas Lee - Bluefield - Senior - Afton, Va.

Caught 5 passes for 220 yards and 2 touchdowns in Bluefield's 50-47 win over Flordia Memorial
Set the AAC record for most receiving yards in a game.
Averaged 44.0 yards per catch.
Had touchdown catches of 75 and 22 yards.
This is his first weekly honor of the season.

AAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Jakob Headley - Pikeville - Senior - Auxier, Ky.

Went 4-for-4 on PATs in Pikeville's 28-27 win at Campbellsville (Ky.).
Scored the game-winning point with 18 seconds left in the game.
Pikeville scored 21 fourth-quarter points to pull out the win.
This is his first weekly honor of the season.

Previous Weekly Winners
Week 1 - Tramonte Gardner (Defensive); Thomas Lee, Bluefield (Offensive); Jakob Headley, Pikeville (Special Teams)