Week 2: AAC Football Players of the Week

September 4, 2023

WALESKA, Ga. - Nathan Herstich of Bluefield is the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Football Offensive Player of the Week, while Markell Sutton of Reinhardt and Emery Bryant of Point are the Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively.

The league announced the awards on Monday.

This is the second edition of the awards for the 2023 season. The next set of awards will be announced on Sept. 11.

AAC Defensive Player of the Week
Markell Sutton - Reinhardt - Senior - Atlanta, Ga.

Recorded 6 tackles (2 solo) in Reinhardt's 36-3 win over Faulkner (Ala.).
Intercepted 1 pass and broke up 2 other passes.
Returned the interception 29 yards.
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
Nathan Herstich - Bluefield - Junior - St. Cloud, Fla.

Passed for 293 yards and 1 touchdown in Bluefield's 34-21 win over Campbellsville (Ky.).
Completed 72.4 percent (21-of-29) of his passes.
Rushed 26 yards on 11 carries.
This is his first weekly honor of the season.

AAC Special Teams Player of the Week
Emery Bryant - Point - Senior - Birmingham, Ala.

Set/tied 3 AAC records during Point's loss to NCAA Division II Valdosta State (Ga.).
Returned 4 kickoffs for 166 yards for a conference-record 41.5 yards per return.
Returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown for the longest kickoff return in league history.
Is the only AAC player to return a kickoff for a touchdown twice. Returned one last season.
This is his first weekly honor of the season.

Previous Weekly Winners
Week 1 - Tramonte Gardner, Union (Defensive); Thomas Lee, Bluefield (Offensive); Jakob Headley, Pikeville (Special Teams)
Week 2 - Markell Sutton, Reinhardt (Defensive); Nathan Herstich, Bluefield (Offensive); Emery Bryant, Point (Special Teams)