National News

 September 7, 2011

NJCAA Football Players of the Week – Sept. 7, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Bo Wallace (East Mississippi CC), Caleb Leichtnam (Rochester CTC, Minn.) and Lance Ray (Northwest Mississippi CC) have been named NJCAA Football Players of the Week for games Sept. 1 through Sept. 5.

Wallace takes Offensive Player of the Week honors, while Leichtnam was selected as Defensive Player of the Week. Ray earns Special Teams Player of the Week.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bo Wallace, East Mississippi Community College
Quarterback; Pulaski, Tenn.; Giles County High School

Wallace (6’ 5” / 210 lbs.) threw for 405 yards on 31 completions in East Mississippi’s 34-30 upset of No. 2 Mississippi Gulf Coast. The freshman transfer from Arkansas State University threw for three touchdowns and scored another two rushing the ball. Wallace and the Lions travel to Hinds CC (Miss.) Thursday for another MACJC conference matchup.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK  
Caleb Leichtnam, Rochester Community & Technical College, Minn.
Free Safety; Grand Meadow, Minn.; Grand Meadow High School

Leichtnam (6’ 0” / 177 lbs.) led Rochester CTC to a 74-0 win over Vermilion CC (Minn.) with three interceptions, including one returned for a 68-yard touchdown. The former running back at Grand Meadow High School (Minn.) shutdown Vermilion’s passing attack and led the Yellowjacket defense to their first shutout of the season. Rochester faces another cross-division foe in the MCAC Saturday at Itasca CC (Minn.). 

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Lance Ray, Northwest Mississippi Community College
Wide Receiver/Kick Returner; Quincy, Fla.; East Gadsden High School

Ray (6’3” / 210 lbs.) returned a kickoff 84 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter of Northwest Mississippi’s 56-55 overtime win over No. 8 Pearl River. It was the first kickoff returned for a touchdown by the Rangers since 2008. Ray, a sophomore transfer from the University of Arkansas, will look for more success on special teams Thursday when Northwest hits the road for a MACJC battle at East Central CC (Miss.). 

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Football Players of the Week (Sept. 1-5)
Offense: Bo Wallace (QB), East Mississippi CC
Defense: Caleb Leichtnam (FS), Rochester CTC (Minn.)
Special Teams: Lance Ray (WR/KR), Northwest Mississippi CC