Davila, Simpson and Carter Earn Weekly Honors

Tuesday May 6, 2014

Rogers and Cruz also awarded for weekend's highlights

CHICAGO – Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Iowa Barnstormers defensive back Jason Simpson has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Spokane Shock wide receiver Rashaad Carter has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 8 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. Portland Thunder wide receiver Eric Rogers has been awarded the Cutters Catch of the Week, while the AFL Highlight of the Week went to LA KISS defensive back AJ Cruz.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Davila (6-3, 220, Cincinnati) threw more touchdowns than incompletions in Week 8, going 24-for-31 for 389 yards and 10 touchdowns in Arizona’s 70-61 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks. His 389 yards and 10 touchdowns are the most by any passer in the AFL this season. It was also Davila’s third consecutive game with 300-plus passing yards and at least nine touchdowns. Davila is now one touchdown pass shy of becoming just the ninth player in AFL history to pass for 500 touchdowns or more in a career.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Simpson (6-1, 210, Missouri) showcased his versatility on defense in Week 8, recording five tackles, one forced fumble, a fumble recovery, an interception and a sack in Iowa’s 62-52 win over the San Antonio Talons in Week 8. The interception was the 33rd of Simpson’s five-year career, while the sack was his very first.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Carter (6-2, 210, Tusculum), a receiver by trade, was forced into quarterbacking duty after reigning AFL MVP Erik Meyer went down with a shoulder injury in the second quarter of Spokane’s 70-21 victory over the LA KISS in Week 8. The rookie proceeded to put on a show, tossing a pair of touchdown passes and tying the Spokane franchise record for rushing scores with four in the game. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Rogers (6-4, 210, Cal Lutheran) hauled in a touchdown reception and hung on as he was hit over the wall in the second quarter of Portland’s 61-42 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in Week 8. Rogers set a new single-game Thunder record with five receiving touchdowns in the game and his highlight reel catch came in at No. 10 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Cruz (5-9, 195, Brown) returned a missed field goal 58 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter of LA’s 21-70 loss to the Spokane Shock in Week 8. The rookie defensive back – in just the second AFL game of his career – slipped out of four tackles before even reaching the KISS’ five-yard line. His dazzling return came in at No. 6 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Iowa’s Carson Coffman, Pittsburgh’s Tommy Grady, Portland’s Danny Southwick, San Jose’s Dominique Curry and Spokane’s Adron Tennell.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem, Pittsburgh’s Arvell Nelson, San Jose’s Luis Vasquez, Spokane’s Terrance Sanders and Tampa Bay’s Rod Issac.

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Kerry Reed, Pittsburgh’s Rodney Wright, San Antonio’s PJ Berry, San Jose’s Dominique Curry and Tampa Bay’s Michael Lindsey.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Arizona Rattlers wide receiver Kerry Reed, Pittsburgh Power wide receiver Rodney Wright and San Jose Sabercats wide receiver Dominique Curry. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 7. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 8.

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.