Newberry’s Stepp, Catawba’s Ellington, Tusculum’s Gregory named SAC Football Players of the Week

ROCK HILL, S.C. - The South Atlantic Conference has announced its Football Players of the Week. Earning honors for the week ending on September 16 are Newberry quarterback Josh Stepp, Catawba linebacker Ron Ellington and Tusculum punter John Gregory. Stepp was named Offensive Player of the Week, Ellington Defensive Player of the Week and Gregory was tabbed Special Teams Player of the Week.

Stepp, a 6-1 senior from Pelion, S.C., was nearly flawless as he accounted for four touchdowns in Newberry's 45-0 shutout victory over Brevard College. The Furman University transfer went 11-for-12 for 258 yards and three touchdowns and got the Indians on the scoreboard first with his six-yard scamper on Newberry's opening possession. The 2005 All-SAC standout posted a completion percentage of 92 percent and completed passes to five different receivers.

Ellington, a 6-4, 225-pound junior from Charlotte, N.C., led the Catawba defense with 11 tackles en route to a 31-13 win over Virginia State University. Ellington, a graduate of Independence High School, recorded a sack, which resulted in a fumble that led to a score to give the Catawba Indians a 28-0 advantage at halftime. He also intercepted a pass in the end zone to thwart a VSU drive.

Gregory, a 6-2, 210-pound red-shirt freshman from Ooltewah, Tenn., averaged 38.1 yards on his eight punts in Tusculum's 28-0 road win at Saint Paul's College. The Ooltewah High School product recorded a career-best 51-yarder, including one inside the 20-yard line.

The SAC Football Players of the Week are selected by a vote of the league's sports information directors.

Pictured, from left, Josh Stepp, Ron Ellington and John Gregory.