Rocco, Kizer and Bocage earn week 19 honors

Tuesday July 19, 2011

 TULSA, OKLA. –Cleveland QB KURT ROCCO has been named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week. Orlando DB RAYSHAUN KIZER and Utah WR CHRIS BOCAGE have been named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 19 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 19 is WR JASON WILLIS of the Pittsburgh Power, while the NiFTy Playmaker of the Week is Iowa WR JESSE SCHMIDT. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Spokane WR RANDY HYMES.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rocco (6-5, 230, Mount Union) finished 25-of-35 for 297-yards and eight touchdowns in Cleveland’s East Division clinching victory over the Pittsburgh Power on Friday night. In only his rookie season, Rocco ranks tenth in the AFL in pass efficiency (111.3) and has marked 68 passing touchdowns this season.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kizer (5-10, 192, Walsh) notched 8.5 tackles, two interceptions (one for a TD) and a pass breakup in Orlando’s Week 19 victory over the Tulsa Talons, 85-49. Kizer received Defensive Player of the Week for the second time, the last coming in Week 3. He is currently tied for League lead with 15 interceptions this season. Kizer also ranks ninth in the League in tackles per game (6.1).

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Bocage (5-10, 190, USC) had an all-around impressive night in Utah’s winning effort over the New Orleans VooDoo, 62-58. Bocage recorded 165 kickoff return yards, returning one for a touchdown. He also hauled in two receptions for 29-yards and a touchdown, while adding a rushing touchdown. Bocage ranks fourth in the League in kickoff return yards (1,435) and kickoff return touchdowns (4) this season.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Willis (6-1, 200, Oregon) made a miraculous juggling touchdown reception in the first quarter as snatched a ball off the boards to score the Power’s only points of the first quarter. Pittsburgh lost to Cleveland, 55-67, clinching the East Division title for the Gladiators.

NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Schmidt (6-3, 220, Buena Vista) led all receivers in the Iowa Barnstormers loss to the Milwaukee Mustangs, 49-83, on Friday. Schmidt tallied 12 receptions for 147-yards and three touchdowns. Schmidt leads the AFL with 50 touchdown receptions this season.

SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Hymes (6-3, 215, Grambling State) hauled in a Kyle Rowley 34-yard, hail mary pass in the back of the endzone as time expired to give the Shock a 63-61 victory over the SaberCats on Saturday. The Shock clinched a playoff birth with the victory. In his first game with the Shock after signing last week, Hymes notched 12 receptions for 100-yards and four touchdowns. The winning touchdown was featured on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays from the weekend.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Milwaukee’s Gino Guidugli, Orlando’s Nick Hill, Georgia’s Darnell Kennedy, Utah’s Aaron Lesue, San Jose’s James Roe, Kansas City’s Bret Smith and Chicago’s JJ Raterink.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Tim Cheatwood, Milwaukee’s Marcus Everett, Georgia’s Tracy Belton, Utah’s Michael Lewis, Spokane’s Beau Bell, Kansas City’s Rashad Barksdale and Chicago’s Kelvin Morris.

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Pittsburgh’s Lonnell Dewalt, Milwaukee’s Marcus Everett, Jacksonville’s Jeff Hughley, Orlando’s Josh Bush, Tampa Bay’s Michael Lindsey and San Jose’s Victor James.

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 Milwaukee WR/LB MARCUS EVERETT, Orlando QB NICK HILL and Chicago WR REGGIE GRAY. The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 21, 2011.

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has provided the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The NFL Network will once again broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game on August 12.