Cunningham, Chilton honored by MSC

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – It’s been a long, tough road for the Pikeville College defense, but Saturday’s impressive performance in a 17-14 win over WVU Tech has netted one player conference honors. As for Kyle Chilton, it’s becoming a habit he hopes not to break.

Linebacker Anson Cunningham was named Mid-South Conference Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, and Chilton was named Special Teams Player of the Week for the fourth time this season.

Cunningham had 10 tackles on Saturday, four of them being solos. But the biggest play he turned in was an interception on the seven-yard line in the third quarter to turn away the Tech offense as it tried to tie the game.

Pikeville led 7-0 as its defense had bent but not broken all day. An interception gave the Golden Bears the ball at the Pikeville 45, but it was denied the tying touchdown on Cunningham’s pick.

In addition, Cunningham was credited with a pass breakup and 1.5 tackles for loss for a total of 12 yards.

Cunningham is a 6-0, 200 pound sophomore from Clinton, S.C.

Chilton, meanwhile, was his typical impressive self, nailing both extra points before his 27-yard field goal in the final 30 seconds gave the Bears the three-point win.

The 5-11, 170 pound junior from Clearwater, Fla., has now hit five straight field goals, two shy of the school record. For the season, he’s 7-of-9 on field goal tries. Since his last miss against Bethel College, he has hit from 24, 49, 46, 45 and 27 yards out.

Chilton has been named MSC Special Teams Player of the Week seven times in his career. On three of those occasions, he has followed it up with the national honor.

Pikeville College will end its season on Saturday afternoon when it visits the Tigers of Campbellsville University. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.