Vote now: Who should be SBLive’s Western North Carolina Defensive Football Player of the Week (Aug. 28-Sept. 2)?
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s Western North Carolina Defensive Football Player of the Week for Aug. 28-Sept. 2 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote in our poll. You may vote as many times as you want. Voting will conclude on Saturday, September 9 at 11:59 p.m. and the winner will be announced in next week's poll. If you would like to nominate an athlete, please email athleteoftheweek@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @sblivenc.
Congratulations to last week's winner, Wade Queen of Alexander Central. Queen tallied 6,511 votes in our poll, almost 50 percent of all votes cast. Malachi McNeely of Smokey Mountain finished second.
Editor’s note: Our Players of the Week polls are intended to be fun, and we do not set limits on how many times you can vote during the competition. Our poll in no way is meant to discredit other players not mentioned.
Wayne Stines, Avery County: Stines recorded 12 tackles and a sack in a loss to Bessemer City.
Carson Gunnell-Beck, Watauga: Gunnell-Beck had a 40-yard fumble return for a touchdown in a 47-21 win over Maiden as the Pioneers improved to 3-0.
Jayce Rowe, East Gaston: Rowe had five tackles, an interceptions and a pass break-up in a 35-14 win over Stuart Cramer.
Riley Shropshire, East Lincoln: Shropshire recorded four tackles and had two interceptions in a 28-14 win against Lincolnton.
Tyreese Thames, Forestview: Thames had 11 tackles, two of which were for loss, in a 27-19 win over Freedom.
Caden Smith, West Lincoln: Smith had six tackles and a fumble recovery in a 49-20 win over Foard. Smith also ran for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Jordan Lineberger, Newton-Conover: Lineberger was a tackling machine against East Rutherford on Friday, recording 15 solo tackles and assisting on six others. He also had a sack, two tackles for loss and 5 quarterback hurries.
