LOCK HAVEN, Pa. - The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference announced its Football Athletes of the Week for Week 1 of the 2026 season. In the Western Division, California's Eric Gibson Jr. is the Offensive Athlete of the Week while Edinboro's Ty Reali (Defensive Athlete of the Week) and Clarion's Ty Woods (Special Teams Athlete of the Week) were also selected. In the Eastern Division, Kutztown's Jaedyn Stewart is the Offensive Athlete of the Week and is joined by Bloomsburg's Nahzier Booker (Defensive) and Shepherd's Hunter D'Myo (Special Teams.)
PSAC Western Division Offensive Athlete of the Week
Eric Gibson Jr.
California
Quarterback
Senior
Norfolk, Va. / Maury
Gibson accounted for five touchdowns (one rushing) on Thursday, as the Vulcans opened the year with a 49-24 victory against Charleston (WV). He finished with 213 passing yards and four touchdowns on 17-of-25 attempts with one interception. Gibson added 30 rushing yards and one touchdown on eight carries in his debut with the program. The Virginia native completed passes to seven different receivers and helped California build a 42-24 halftime lead while playing through a pair of severe weather delays that spanned over three hours.
PSAC Western Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Ty Reali
Edinboro
Safety
Senior
Youngstown, Ohio / Cardinal Mooney
Reali was the leader of the Scots' defense, making 12 tackles and seven solos. With the Scots trailing 21-14 in the fourth quarter, Reali intercepted a pass and gave Edinboro the ball back. Edinboro followed with a 13-play, 95- yard drive to tie the game and force overtime. They would go on to win the game in triple OT.
PSAC Western Division Special Teams Athlete of the Week
Ty Woods
Clarion
Kicker/Punter
Senior
Kannapolis, N.C. / A.L. Brown
Woods was strong in both the kicking and punting games on Thursday, helping the Golden Eagles to a 52-14 win over West Virginia Wesleyan. Woods went 1-for-1 on field goals, booting a 19-yard field goal to make it a 17-7 lead for Clarion at the end of the first half, and was a perfect 7-for-7 on extra point attempts. When called upon to punt, Woods kicked six times for an average of 42.7 yards per game, landing three punts inside the 20-yard line and booting two over 50 yards without any touchbacks.
PSAC Eastern Division Offensive Athlete of the Week
Jaedyn Stewart
Kutztown
Running Back
5th Year
Newfield, N.J. / Delsea Regional
Stewart scored four touchdowns and totaled 130 yards from scrimmage as No. 3 Kutztown opened its 2026 season with a 56-35 victory at Assumption last Thursday evening. Stewart caught a short pass out in space and showed off his speed on the way to the end zone for a 35-yard TD to tie the game at 14 late in the first quarter. The fifth-year senior from Newfield, N.J., added a 7-yard TD reception in the final minute of the second to give the Golden Bears a 35-14 lead at the half. Stewart added 1-yard and 6-yard TD runs in the second half as KU eclipsed the 50-point mark for the third game in a row against Assumption, including last year's NCAA Second Round playoff game. The two-time All-PSAC East selection registered game-highs of 20 carries and 82 rushing yards. Stewart also caught three passes for 48 yards.
PSAC Eastern Division Defensive Athlete of the Week
Nahzier Booker
Bloomsburg
Linebacker
Junior
Pottstown, Pa. / Pottstown
Booker led a dominant Bloomsburg defensive performance in the Huskies’ 35-13 season-opening victory at Fairmont State. Booker tied for the team lead with eight tackles, including five solo stops, while establishing career highs with 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss. His tackles behind the line resulted in 22 lost yards. Booker led a defense that recorded six sacks and 10 tackles for loss while limiting Fairmont State to 175 yards of total offense, 63 rushing yards and 2.8 yards per play.
PSAC Eastern Division Special Teams Athlete of the Week
D'Myo Hunter
Shepherd
Return Specialist / Defensive Back
Sophomore
Culpeper, Va. / Blue Ridge School
Hunter had two punt returns for 72 yards, including a 64-yard touchdown return in Shepherd's 34-26 win over Frostburg State. He also recorded seven total tackles (6 solos), one tackle-for-loss (-1 yard), and a forced fumble in the victory. Hunter also added a 36-yard interception return to set up a Shepherd score.