Swaim named Special Teams Player of the Week

Starmount alumnus, J. Max Swaim, was named the SAC Special Teams Player of the Week.

Kristian Russell | File Photo

ROCK HILL, S.C. – The South Atlantic Conference announced its AstroTurf Football Players of the Week for games played during the fourth week of the spring season. Wingate return man J Max Swaim picked up Special Teams Player of the Week, Tusculum wide receiver Tyler Ajiero was tabbed as the Offensive Player of the Week, and Tusculum defensive lineman Jacques Jean-Baptiste was named the Defensive Player of the Week.

Swaim, a freshman from Jonesville who attended Starmount High School, averaged 20.3 yards per return, including a return for 33 yards in the Bulldog’s 33-6 win over Catawba. He finished the game with 81 return yards.

His first return of the night was the 33-yard return, setting the Bulldogs up in Catawba territory. He added a 16-yard return later in the opening quarter. His return in the third quarter went for 14 yards. Swaim’s final return of the night went for 18 yards, setting the Bulldogs up at the Catawba 41-yard line. The Bulldogs scored two plays later to take a 26-0 lead. In his two games this season, Swaim has piled up 115 punt return yards on seven returns, averaging 16.4 yards per return. The freshman leads the SAC in punt return yards, while his 33-yard return Saturday night is the longest in the league this season.

Ajiero, a freshman from Tifton, Ga., hauled in five receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns in Tusculum’s 47-17 win over Erskine last week. Jean-Baptiste, a sophomore from Tampa, Fla., accounted for five tackles, including a career-high four for loss. He also made two sacks and helped lead the Pioneers to goal-line stands.

AstroTurf is an official corporate partner of the South Atlantic Conference and title sponsor of the Conference’s Player of the Week awards program.

Reach Kristian on Twitter @yadkinelksports