Demopolis duo gets Player of the Week honors

For the first time in the award’s brief history, the ESPN 104.9 West Alabama Coaches Show Player of the Week honor went to a player from a losing team. As a matter of fact, the show name co-players of the week for the first time Tuesday night with Demopolis High School teammates Tyler Oates and Stephen Stewart taking home the honors.

Oates ran for 100 yards on 18 carries for Demopolis in the game, but cemented himself as deserving of the award late in the fourth quarter of his team’s loss to Jackson when he sustained an injury that left him lying on the field largely motionless for several minutes. Three plays later, Oates demanded a mouthpiece and re-entered the game to break off a 24-yard run as part of a go-ahead touchdown drive that gave the Tigers an opportunity to win the game.

Stewart is the first punter to receive distinction from the Coaches Show. He averaged nearly 45 yards per kick on five punts. Stewart hemmed Jackson inside its own 20 three times on the night and blasted his other two kicks for more than 50 yards each.

The highlight of the night for Stewart came when he unleashed a 57-yard kick from his own end zone to flip the field position and help prevent a seemingly imminent Jackson score.

Stewart also played much of the second half at tight end as an additional blocker where he proved a key participant in the Tigers’ near comeback win.

The ESPN 104.9 Coaches Show crew honored the duo Tuesday night at Batter Up Sports Grill in Demopolis.