Orlando QB NICK HILL, Milwaukee WR/DB KELVIN ROGERS and Georgia WR C.J. JOHNSON have been named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 10 of the 2011 AFL season.
In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also awarding the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 10 is WR MIKE WASHINGTON of the Pittsburgh Power, while the NiFTy Playmaker of the Week is Milwaukee DL DWAYNE LEFALL. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Philadelphia’s OL/DL JEFFREY FITZGERALD.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hill (6-3, 215, Southern Illinois) completed 23 of his 29 passes for 367-yards and six touchdowns in the Predator’s, 56-26, victory over the Cleveland Gladiators. In 9 games, Hill stands atop the AFL in total offense per game (329.4-yards), third in passing average per game (302.8-yards) and third in passing efficiency (120.6-yards). Entering Week 11, Hill tossed for 52 touchdowns and notched nine rushing touchdowns.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rogers (6-1, 182, Minnesota St.) registered 16 tackles, one forced fumble, one interception, four pass breakups and one interception for a touchdown in Milwaukee’s Week 10 victory over the Utah Blaze, 65-53. Rogers ranks second on the Mustangs in tackles (36) and interceptions (4).
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Johnson (5-10, 180, Tennessee State) opened up the third quarter on Friday against the Philadelphia Soul, with a 56-yard return for a touchdown. Johnson tallied five receptions for 103-yards and one touchdown. In a losing cause, 49-68, for the Force, Johnson finished the game with 149 kickoff return yards.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Washington (5-8, 175, Hawaii) made a catch off a tipped ball which resulted in a second quarter touchdown for Pittsburgh, in the Power’s upset victory over the San Jose SaberCats, 54-48. Going in to Week 11 Washington has tallied 12 receptions for 120 yards and four touchdowns.
NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Lefall (6-3, 260, Akron) tallied two sacks and three forced fumbles in Milwaukee’s, 65-53, win against Utah. Lefall had a game high two sacks in Week 10 against the Blaze.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Fitzgerald (6-4, 265, Kansas State) batted down a Brett Elliot pass on the defensive line, which resulted in an interception. Fitzgerald is the first Soul lineman to record an interception. The Soul defense had three interceptions in their victory over the Georgia Force, 68-49.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Pittsburgh’s Mike Washington, Philadelphia’s Donovan Morgan, Tampa Bay’s Amarri Jackson, Orlando’s Nick Hill, San Jose’s Mark Grieb, Milwaukee’s RJ Archer, Chicago’s Russ Michna and Spokane’s Raul Vijil.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Milwaukee’s Kelvin Rogers, Philadelphia’s Darrell Campbell, Tampa Bay’s Jermaine Smith, Orlando’s Frisner Nelson, San Jose’s Eddie Moten, Arizona’s Virgil Gray, Spokane’s Khreem Smith, and Milwaukee’s Dwayne Lefall.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Georgia’s C.J. Johnson, Tampa Bay’s Jermaine Smith, Orlando’s Robert Quiroga, San Jose’s Chad Cook, Milwaukee’s Brent Holmes, Chicago’s Vic Hall, and Spokane’s Terrance Sanders.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner on Facebook and ArenaFootball.com. Candidates include Orlando QB Nick Hill, Philadelphia WR Donovan Morgan and Milwaukee WR/DB Kelvin Rogers. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 19, 2011.
