MacPherson named AFL Offensive Player of the Week

Tuesday June 10, 2008

Rampage QB Earns Second League Weekly Honor of Rookie Season

GRAND RAPIDS – After helping lead Grand Rapids back into the American Conference playoff picture with an 84-65 win over the Colorado Crush last Saturday, Rampage quarterback James MacPherson (Tucson, Ariz.) was named the Arena Football League’s Offensive Player of the Week. The honor marks the second of his rookie season and only the third such award in team history.

In last Saturday’s key victory over Colorado, MacPherson set a team record with 10 touchdown passes and added a rushing score as Grand Rapids eclipsed the 80-point mark for the third time in 2008. The first-year starter completed 35 of 43 pass attempts for 388 yards, the second most in franchise history.

MacPherson spread the ball around throughout the evening, as receivers Kenny Higgins (Long Beach, Calif.), Chris Johnson (Americus, Ga.) and Cole Magner (Palmer, Alaska) each totaled over 100 receiving yards. The Wake Forest University product even got his linemen into the action, completing a goal line touchdown pass to Donovan Arp (Murray, Utah), the first touchdown reception of the nose tackle’s career.

Earlier this season, MacPherson was named the league’s Co-Offensive Player of the Week following Grand Rapids’ 92-52 Week 4 win over the Kansas City Brigade. The Rampage will continue their playoff push this Saturday when they travel to Columbus to take on the Destroyers at 7 p.m. EDT.