GAC names Reddies Edwards, Robinson players of the week

By COURTLIN HAYGARTH | HSU Sports Network

RUSSELVILLE — After Henderson defeated Arkansas-Monticello this past Saturday, 37-27, improving to 3-0 on the season, quarterback Andrew Edwards and defensive lineman Shaq’ke Robinson were named the Great American Conference’s Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.

Both Andrews and Robinson are first-time recipients of this honor, which is also the first weekly conference award Henderson has garnered this season. 

Edwards, a redshirt freshman from Bentonville, Arkansas, completed 21 of 33 passes Saturday evening for 310 yards, four touchdowns and one interception while also picking up a score on the ground to go with 18 yards on four carries.

Since making what was his first ever college start against Northwestern Oklahoma St. in place of an injured Landon Ledbetter, Edwards has been nothing short of sensational, accounting for 581 yards of total offense and nine touchdowns while completing 67 percent of his passes (28-42).

Robinson, a redshirt junior from Jacksonville, Arkansas, led the Reddies with seven tackles and two sacks Saturday. To cap off his player of the week-worthy performance, Robinson blocked a 29-yard UAM field goal as part of a scoreless third quarter for Monticello.

The Jacksonville, Arkansas native has spearheaded a defensive line that has recorded 16 sacks through three games, including six against the Boll Weevils, as the 6′ 1″, 314 pound defensive lineman now has five tackles for loss and four sacks on the year. Robinson is also third on the team 12 total tackles. 

Edwards, Robinson and company will look to improve to 4-0 for just the second straight year when they head to Magnolia, Arkansas to face Southern Arkansas Saturday, Sept. 24 at 6 p.m.