Boltus, Whitehurst and Lesue Earn Weekly Honors

Tuesday April 22, 2014

CHICAGO – Orlando Predators quarterback Jason Boltus has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while San Antonio Talons defensive back Kyle Whitehurst has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Pittsburgh Power wide receiver Aaron Lesue has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 6 of the 2014 NET10 Wireless Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week, both of which have been awarded to Cleveland Gladiators wide receiver Thyron Lewis.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Boltus (6-3, 215, Hartwick) tossed a career-high nine touchdown passes in Orlando’s 77-65 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in the 54th meeting of the “War on I-4” in Week 6. The Predators’ signal-caller has thrown for at least eight touchdowns in three straight games, 330-plus yards in each of the last four and recorded a triple-digit passer rating in five consecutive contests. He leads the AFL with 1,886 passing yards on the season.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Whitehurst (6-0, 190, Hampton) collected four tackles and a pair of interceptions in San Antonio’s 68-33 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo in Week 6. The game was Whitehurst’s first in a Talons uniform after being traded to the team from Philadelphia earlier in the week.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Lesue (5-10, 200, Utah State) set a new Pittsburgh Power franchise record with six receiving touchdowns in the team’s 69-73 loss to the Arizona Rattlers last week. The AFL’s leader in receptions (50) also recorded season-highs with 15 receptions for 168 yards in the game, marking his fifth straight contest with triple-digit all-purpose yards. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK / AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Lewis (6-4, 200, Howard) hauled in an unbelievable 29-yard Hail Mary pass off the net with no time remaining to keep the Gladiators undefeated and give Cleveland a 52-50 road win over the Spokane Shock in Week 6. Lewis finished the night with five catches for 76 yards and a pair of scores, while the catch itself landed at the No. 2 spot on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Iowa’s Carson Coffman, Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross, Pittsburgh’s Aaron Lesue, Portland’s Douglas McNeil III, Spokane’s Brandon Thompkins and Tampa Bay’s T.T. Toliver.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem, Cleveland’s Joe Phinisee, Iowa’s Mike Lewis, Orlando’s Tracy Belton, Philadelphia’s Rayshaun Kizer and Portland’s Varmah Sonie.

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Arkeith Brown, Iowa’s Darius Reynolds, Orlando’s Greg Carr, Philadelphia’s Anthony Jones, Portland’s Dustin Risseeuw, San Antonio’s Brandon Sesay and Spokane’s Terrance Sanders.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Iowa Barnstormers defensive end Mike Lewis, Philadelphia Soul defensive back Rayshaun Kizer and San Antonio Talons defensive back Kelvin Rodgers. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 23. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 24.

About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the Arena Football League has showcased a fast-paced and exciting game to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The ESPN family of networks and CBS Sports Network will nationally broadcast AFL games each week for the entire 2014 season. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVII Saturday, August 23, 2014 on ESPN.