POPLARVILLE, Miss. — Gayden Hence (Hattiesburg) has been named the MACJC Special Teams Player of the Week after leading Pearl River (2-5 overall) past Southwest 17-16 on Saturday.
Hence is the second Wildcat to earn a league honor, joining Terrence Humphrey (Clarksdale), who was named the MACJC Offensive Player of the Week following the Wildcats' 35-31 win at Itawamba in the season opener.
Tuesday's honor is Hence's second accolade in as many days. The freshman was named the Forrest Health Wildcat of the Week on Monday.
Hence's Homecoming heroics were well timed. Although he had missed two kicks earlier in the game, Hence came through in the fourth quarter. The kicker converted the PAT following Jaylan Wilson's (Bay St. Louis; Bay) 4-yard touchdown with 6:30 remaining in the game and then both kicked and recovered the ensuing onside kick. After the Wildcats were able to milk the clock, Hence struck true on a 21-yard field goal with 35 seconds remaining to give the Wildcats the 17-16 advantage.
Hence also punted twice for a 38.5-yard average.
Punting is where Hence has really shined this season for the Wildcats. His 40.5-yard average is third in the MACJC and fifth nationally.
NEXT UP
Kickoff in Thursday's rivalry contest is set for 7 p.m.
The game will be streamed at PRCCAthletics.com and PRCCMedia.com/gold with David Sutton and Kelly Sanner calling the action. The game will also be carried on WRJW 1320 AM in Picayune, WCJU 1450 AM in Columbia, WCJU 104.9 FM in Prentiss and both WHSY 950 AM and WHSY 105.9 FM in Hattiesburg. Carey Meitzler will provide the play-by-play with Barry Harper adding color commentary and Jacob Hickman delivering insight from the sideline.
HOW TO TUNE IN
All home events are broadcast on PRCCAthletics.com and PRCCMedia.com. Anyone who has an Amazon Fire or Roku device can stream PRCC broadcasts by downloading the "Pearl River CC" Channel from the app store.
For the latest on Pearl River Community College athletics, follow us on Twitter (@PRCCAthletics) and Facebook (PRCCAthletics).