PRINCETON, W. Va. – Marco Ricchetti, Jordan Roberts and Matt Wilmer have been named WVIAC Football Players of the Week, as announced by the league office.
Charleston’s Jordan Roberts and Fairmont State’s Matt Wilmer picked up WVIAC co-Offensive Player of the Week honors while West Liberty’s Ricchetti earned the WVIAC Defensive Player of the Week award. Roberts was also tabbed the WVIAC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.
Roberts, a 5’11” senior running back from Madison, W. Va., earned his third offensive award of the season. At No. 24 UNC Pembroke, Roberts had a tremendous afternoon. He rushed for 144 yards on 26 carries for an average of 5.5 yards a rush. Against the stout defense, Roberts rushed for two touchdowns. He also threw a 31-yard touchdown strike to Shaq Williams. He tallied 296 all-purpose yards (144 rushing, 35 receiving, 117 kick return yards) and four touchdowns in the victory.
Roberts earned the nod on special teams after weaving his way through the Braves’ defense for a 100-yard kick-off return for a touchdown. After a score by UNCP made it 7-3 with 1:07 to play, Roberts took the ensuing kick-off and took it back for a score, putting the Golden Eagles up 14-3. He also added a return of 17 yards.
Wilmer, a 6’0” senior wide receiver from Keyser, W. Va., had a huge day for the Falcons in the win over West Virginia Wesleyan en route to his award. He sparked the offense with three second-half touchdowns in the come-from-behind victory. Wilmer had career highs in receptions (seven), receiving yards (163) and touchdown catches. His touchdown receptions covered 35, 57 and 21 yards, respectively. He racked up 210 all-purpose yards. Wilmer’s play helped FSU improve to 2-2 in WVIAC contests.
Ricchetti, a 6’3” junior free safety from Martins Ferry, Ohio, picked up his second award of the season for his stellar play last weekend. He intercepted a pass and returned it 42 yards before lateraling it to Rod White for the game’s first score in the upset of No. 25 Shepherd. He also posted 12 tackles on the day, six of which were solo stops. His play helped the Hilltoppers improve to 4-3 on the season and 3-2 in league play.
Other top offensive performers: Evin Dusold (Concord), Quin Thornton (Glenville State), Andrew Jackson (Seton Hill), Dylan Lagarde (West Liberty), Lavaughn Hughes (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Other top defensive performers: Ervin Moore (Concord), Jake Kelly (Fairmont State), Devin Cain (Glenville State), Brian Vukela (West Virginia Wesleyan)
Other top special teams performers: Ryland Newman (Fairmont State), Griff Yocum (West Liberty), Stephon Knox (West Virginia Wesleyan)
WVIAC Offensive Player of the Week:
10/15: Jordan Roberts (UC)/Matt Wilmer (FSU)
10/8: Dylan Lagarde (WLU)
10/1: Jordan Roberts (UC)
9/24: Nate Montana (WVWC)
9/17: Bobby Cooper (SU)
9/10: Darold Hughes (GSC)
9/3: Darold Hughes (GSC)/Jordan Roberts (UC)
WVIAC Defensive Player of the Week:
10/15: Marco Ricchetti (WLU)
10/8: Jake Lilly (CU)
10/1: Keon Robinson (SU)
9/24: Keon Robinson (SU)
9/17: Jeff Green (UC)
9/10: Marco Ricchetti (WLU)
9/3: Davon Marion (CU)
WVIAC Special Teams Player of the Week:
10/15: Jordan Roberts (UC)
10/8: Puma Nuredini (UC)
10/1: DJ Scott (SU)
9/24: Ervin Moore (CU)
9/17: Ryland Newman (FSU)
9/10: Puma Nuredini (UC)/Matt Wilmer (FSU)
9/3: Andrew Ellington (CU)