Brandon Hefflin earns ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors

Tuesday July 1, 2008

Former Toledo Rocket becomes third Gladiator to receive weekly league accolades in 2008
 
CLEVELAND – The Arena Football League announced today, that Cleveland Gladiators defensive back BRANDON HEFFLIN has earned ADT Defensive Player of the Week honors for his performance in the Wild Card round of the 2008 AFL Playoffs.  Hefflin becomes the third Gladiators player this season to earn AFL Weekly honors.
 
In the Gladiators 69-66 win over the visiting Orlando Predators, Hefflin’s led the Cleveland defense with seven tackles (six solo, two assists) and three key turnovers that led to the victory.
 
Hefflin intercepted Shane Stafford twice in the second quarter, both resulting in Jason Ball field goals.  Trailing 33-31 with less than 30 seconds to play in the first half, Hefflin’s second interception of the game led to a Jason Ball 27-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Gladiators a 34-33 lead heading into the half.
 
In the fourth quarter with the Predators trailing 62-60 and on the Gladiators 12 yard-line, receiver T.T. Toliver fumbled the ball at the Cleveland four yard-line before Hefflin recovered it.  On the ensuing Gladiators drive, WILLIS MARSHALL scampered in from eight yards out for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.
 
Other Gladiators Weekly AFL Winners:
WR/DB Robert Redd (Week 2, Ironman of the Week)
WR Otis Amey (Week 8, Offensive Player of the Week)
 
The #4 Cleveland Gladiators will take on the #2 Georgia Force on Monday, July 7 at 8:00 p.m. at the Gwinnett Center.  The game can be seen nationally on ESPN2.  A Gladiators win combined with a #6 New York Dragons win over the #1 Philadelphia Soul on Saturday, July 5 (7:00 p.m. ESPN) will bring the National Conference Championship game to Quicken Loans Arena on Saturday, July 12.  The winner would advance to the Virgin Mobile ArenaBowl XXII in New Orleans on July 27.