Three Blazers football players received Gulf South Conference Football Weekly honors this week, recognizing their strong performances against UNC Pembroke. The awards, part of the Week 3 set of 2026 Gulf South Conference Football Weekly Awards presented by Athletic Solutions, saw Jabari McMillan named Freshman of the Week, Shawn Paschall earning Offensive Player of the Week, and Julius Pascal collecting the Defensive Player of the Week accolade. These recognitions highlight key individual contributions to the team’s recent game, bringing local pride to the Valdosta area.
Jabari McMillan earned his second consecutive GSC Freshman of the Week honors, building on an already impressive start to the season. Against UNC Pembroke, McMillan recorded a season-high eight stops for the Blazers defense. His performance included a tackle for loss, accounting for three yards, and seven unassisted tackles among his eight total stops. This repeat recognition underscores McMillan's consistent impact in his rookie year for the Blazers.
Julius Pascal was a formidable presence on defense, earning him the Defensive Player of the Week award. Pascal finished the game with nine tackles, six of which were unassisted. His most significant play came in the first quarter with a 94-yard pick six, which dramatically boosted the Blazers' score, giving them a 27-10 lead. Beyond his interception, Pascal contributed a tackle for loss, half a sack, one pass breakup, and two quarterback hurries. Pascal was "a wall on defense," underscoring his robust performance.
On the offensive side, Shawn Paschall was named Offensive Player of the Week after a career-high rushing performance. Paschall rushed for 155 yards against the Braves, carrying the ball 11 times for an impressive average of 14.1 yards per carry. He found the end zone twice, scoring two touchdowns for the Blazers. His longest run of the day was a 45-yard dash that resulted in a touchdown, which helped the Blazers reduce a deficit to just three points with 6:52 remaining in the game. Paschall's offensive explosion was crucial to the team's effort.
Following these accolades, the Blazers are currently on a bye week. Their next scheduled game will be a home matchup against Erskine College. The Blazers will host Erskine College at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium on Saturday, October 3, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. Local residents and students can look forward to seeing these honored players back in action at the upcoming home game.
