ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Morehead State University quarterback David Parsons and wide receiver Cross Watson, along with University of St. Thomas defensive lineman Malachi Boadi-Aboagye and Stetson University kicker Paul DeSousa are the Pioneer Football League’s Week1 Players of the Week, announced Sunday.

Combined, Parsons and Watson led Morehead State’s 68-point first half in a win against Kentucky Christian, with Parsons responsible for five touchdowns and Watson catching three touchdowns in the half.  Boadi-Aboagye got St. Thomas on the scoreboard at No. 8 North Dakota with a 74-yard pick-six, and DeSousa provided a 49-yard field goal in Stetson’s 45-10 win against Webber International.  

Offensive

David Parsons, Morehead State (Sophomore (RS), Quarterback, Parkersburg, West Virginia)

Parsons needed just 23 minutes of game time to power Morehead State to a 47-17 lead in the Eagles’ 75-24 win against Kentucky Christian. In just 16 plays over his quarter-and-a-half of playing time, he compiled 340 total offensive yards and five total touchdowns. Parsons opened the game with a 60-yard touchdown strike to Cross Watson, capping the Eagles' opening drive. After an MSU interception on the first play of the ensuing KCU drive, Parsons capped the second drive with a 27-yard TD pass to Cannon Dinger. Kentucky Christian ran the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown, but Parsons responded immediately with another drive capped by a 25-yard touchdown pass to Watson. He added an eight-yard touchdown pass to Dinger in the second quarter before wrapping up his outing with a 72-yard touchdown pass to Anthony Ice with 7:03 remaining in the second quarter, giving the Eagles a 47-17 advantage.

Others Nominated

• Butler quarterback Gabe Passini completed 14-of-19 passes for 140 yards and a touchdown without an interception and added 22 rushing yards in a loss at Montana State.
• Marist quarterback Sonny Mannino finished with 313 total offensive yards and three touchdowns in a 27-18 win against Franklin Pierce. He completed 16-of-25 passes for 203 yards and a touchdown and added two scores on a nine-carry, 110-yard rushing performance that did not see him tackled for a loss.
• San Diego wide receiver Cole Monach finished with six receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets in a loss to UC Davis.
• Stetson quarterback Thomas von Grote completed 19-of-24 passes for three touchdowns in a 45-10 win against Webber International. His three touchdowns went for 81, 46, and 22 yards.

Defensive

Malachi Boadi-Aboagye, St. Thomas (Sophomore, Defensive Lineman, Mounds, Minnesota)
Boadi-Aboagye notched a 74-yard pick-six in St. Thomas’ loss at No. 8 North Dakota. The defensive lineman chose an opportune time for his first career interception, let alone first career pick-six, as he took it nearly the length of the field for the Tommies' first touchdown against the Fighting Hawks. Boadi-Aboagye also had a first-quarter pass break-up and three tackles (two solo) in the contest.

Others Nominated

• Butler cornerback Tristan Johnson had an interception along with four tackles in a loss at Montana State.
• San Diego safety Ruben Lopez picked off a pass in the end zone and had two tackles in a loss to UC Davis.
• Stetson defensive back Dylan Kelly nabbed an interception deep in Stetson territory in the second quarter and added three tackles (two solo) in a 45-10 win against Webber International.

Special Teams

Paul DeSousa, Stetson (Junior, Kicker, Tampa, Florida)

DeSousa was responsible for eight points, including a 49-yard field goal, in Stetson’s 45-10 victory against Webber International. He closed the first half’s scoring with his 49-yard boot, giving the Hatters a 24-0 lead. DeSousa also connected on all five of his PATs and handled kickoff duties in the win.

Others Nominated

• Morehead State kicker Jordan Price made all nine of his PATs in a 75-24 victory against Kentucky Christian.
• San Diego kicker/punter Emiliano Salazar made a 34-yard field goal and both his PATs in a loss to UC Davis while also averaging 38.4 yards on seven punts with three of 50-plus yards and four downed inside the 20-yard line.

Freshman

Cross Watson, Morehead State (Freshman, Wide Receiver, Campbellsville, Kentucky)
Watson bounced back from a quiet season opener, needing just four receptions to score three touchdowns in Morehead State’s 75-24 win against Kentucky Christian. He got his day off to a quick start, taking his first collegiate reception 60 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Watson’s second catch was just as effective, going for a 25-yard touchdown and a 20-7 MSU lead. After a mundane seven-yard reception with new quarterback Bryce Patterson in the second quarter, Watson closed his day with a 40-yard touchdown reception that gave the Eagles a 68-17 halftime advantage. .

Others Nominated

• San Diego running back Zamar Reese had three carries for 16 yards in a loss to UC Davis.
• Stetson defensive back Dylan Kelly nabbed an interception deep in Stetson territory in the second quarter and added three tackles (two solo) in a 45-10 win against Webber International.

About the Pioneer Football League

The Pioneer Football League is the only non-scholarship, football-only NCAA Football Championship Subdivision conference. The PFL is a truly national conference with members on each coast and throughout the nation’s heartland. Butler University, the University of Dayton, Drake University, and Valparaiso University were among the league’s founding members in 1993, with Davidson College, Marist College, Morehead State University, Presbyterian College, the University of San Diego, the University of St. Thomas, and Stetson University joining to form the current 11-team league.