Payne, Smith named MGCCC Student-Athletes of the Week

PERKINSTON — Paris Payne and Mike Smith have been named MGCCC Student-Athletes of the Week for Sept. 9-15.

Payne, a sophomore from Southampton, England, had two goals and two assists for the Bulldogs this week. She had an assist in a 3-1 win at Meridian. In a loss at Itawamba, she had two goals and an assist.

Smith, a freshman linebacker from Ridgeland, made 10 tackles and had returned a fumble for a touchdown in a suffocating defensive performance by No. 5 Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Bulldogs held Holmes to 64 total yards in a 41-7 win at Goodman, and Smith picked up a loose ball and ran 64 yards for a score.

Also nominated:

Hannah Helms, a sophomore midfielder from Southaven, scored twice in Gulf Coast's first win of the season at Meridian. She also had an assist in a loss at Northwest.

Christian Inchima, a freshman midfielder from Mississauga, Ontario, scored five goals and had an assist in a 2-1 week for Mississippi Gulf Coast. He had a goal in a 2-1 overtime loss at Meridian, then scored two goals in both a 3-1 win at Itawamba and a 4-0 shutout at Northwest. Inchima has a four-game goal-scoring streak.

Chance Lovertich, a sophomore quarterback from Jackson Prep, completed 20 of 26 passes for 322 yards and three touchdowns against Holmes. He also ran for 22 yards and completed TD passes of 72, 6 and 30 yards.

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