Jones, Morris and Washington earn Week 18 honors

Tuesday July 12, 2011

TULSA, OKLA. –Dallas WR TIGER JONES has been named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week. Chicago JLB KELVIN MORRIS and Pittsburgh WR MIKE WASHINGTON have been named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 18 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 18 is WR JESSE SCHMIDT of the Iowa Barnstormers, while the NiFTy Co-Playmakers of the Week are Spokane WR ADRON TENNELL and TULSA DB JC NEAL. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Tulsa JLB JAMAR RANSOM.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jones (5-11, 195, Louisville) dominated Jacksonville’s secondary as the Vigilantes defeated the Sharks, 75-70. Jones caught more than half of QB Dan Raudabaugh’s passes, yards and touchdowns, hauling in 17 receptions for 208 yards and five touchdowns. The game-winning touchdown came on a 16-yard pass to Jones with just under two minutes left in the game. Jones ranks second in the League in receiving yards per game (120.4) and third in receptions per game (9.38).

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Morris (6-4, 250, Clemson) recorded two interceptions, returning one 37-yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Morris also tacked-on a fumble recovery in the first quarter that he returned for a touchdown. Morris recorded one tackle in the 51-41 victory over the Georgia Force.

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Washington (5-8, 175, Hawaii) was a threat on the ground and in the air for Pittsburgh Power in their losing effort to Arizona, 34-68. Washington scored 24 of Pittsburgh’s 34 points. Three touchdowns came through the air, while one came from a 57-yard kickoff return in the third quarter. Washington ended the night with 228 kickoff return yards, 63 receiving yards, four total touchdowns and one tackle.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Schmidt (6-3, 220, Buena Vista University) notched his place in Barnstormers history, breaking the all-time single season touchdown reception record with 47 in Saturday night’s win against Kansas City. The mark also places Schmidt atop AFL receivers for touchdowns this season.

NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Tennell (6-4, 200, Oklahoma) and JC Neal (6-0, 200, North Carolina State) are co-playmakers of the week. Tennell tallied 10 receptions for 82-yards and five touchdowns in Spokane’s win against Utah in the first outdoor game in AFL history. Neal, on the other hand, was a force on Tulsa’s defense in their win against Tampa Bay recording an interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, three pass breakups and six total tackles.

SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Ransom (5-11, 230, Oklahoma State) gave the Talons an early lead against Tampa Bay on Saturday night. Ransom ran downfield to cover the opening kickoff and recovered the ball in the endzone for a score. Ransom also posted two tackles.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Philadelphia’s Larry Brakins, Arizona’s Nick Davila, Tulsa’s Brandon Copeland, Iowa’s Brad Banks, Spokane’s Erik Meyer, Orlando’s TT Toliver, Chicago’s JJ Ratterink and Milwaukee’s Gino Guidugli.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Philadelphia’s Brandon Perkins, Jacksonville’s Richard Clebert, Tulsa’s JC Neal, Iowa’s Cameron McGlenn, Spokane’s Alex Teems, Orlando’s Travis Coleman, Arizona’s Virgil Gray and Milwaukee’s Dwayne LaFall.

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Philadelphia’s Keith Stokes, Dallas’s Chris LeFlare, Tulsa’s Jamar Ransom, Iowa’s Marquis Hamilton, Spokane’s Terrance Sanders, San Jose’s Marco Thomas, Chicago’s Reggie Gray and Milwaukee’s Justin Lawrence.

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 Dallas WR TIGER JONES, San Jose QB MARK GRIEB and Pittsburgh WR MIKE WASHINGTON. The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 14, 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.