Hippeard, Floyd and Harrell Earn Weekly Honors

Tuesday May 27, 2014

Curry and Lewis also awarded for weekend's highlights

CHICAGO – Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Arizona Rattlers defensive back Marquis Floyd has been named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Tampa Bay Storm defensive back James Harrell has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 11 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. San Jose Sabercats wide receiver Dominique Curry has been awarded the Cutters Catch of the Week, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to Cleveland Gladiators wide receiver Thyron Lewis.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hippeard (6-3, 205, Virginia Wise) completed 21-of-29 passes for 255 yards and six touchdowns in Tampa Bay’s 56-35 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks in Week 11. In his first game back with the team since being sidelined with an injury on May 3, the second-year pro set a new career-high with a completion percentage of 72.4 in the win.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Floyd (6-1, 190, West Georgia) collected 4.5 tackles, one tackle for loss, two interceptions and a pass breakup in Arizona’s 70-25 victory over the LA KISS in Week 11. He returned one of the two interceptions for a touchdown, while his two picks in the game tied him with Arena Football Hall of Famer Barry Wagner for fifth place all-time with 48 career interceptions. Floyd leads the Rattlers with six interceptions this season.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Harrell (5-10, 195, Arkansas-Pine Bluff) tallied 6.5 tackles, four pass breakups, one interception and scored a touchdown on a net recovery to close out the first half of Tampa Bay’s 56-35 victory over the Jacksonville Sharks in Week 11. In five games this season, Harrell has collected 23.5 tackles, two fumble recoveries and an interception. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Curry (6-3, 230, Northwest Oklahoma State) hauled in a 36-yard pass in the end zone as time expired in the first half of San Jose’s 52-34 victory over the Spokane Shock in Week 11. Curry registered three touchdowns offensively, catching two and rushing for another. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Lewis (6-4, 200, Howard) hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass on the final play of regulation to seal a 54-52 Cleveland victory over the Philadelphia Soul in Week 11. Cleveland scored three touchdowns and recovered two onside kicks in the final 52 seconds of the game. Lewis, who snagged his second game-winning touchdown catch of the season in the win, finished the night with five catches for 77 yards and three scores.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Nick Davila, Cleveland’s Thyron Lewis, Iowa’s Darius Reynolds, Pittsburgh’s Prechae Rodriguez, Portland’s Danny Southwick and San Jose’s Dominique Curry.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s LaRoche Jackson, New Orleans’ Mike Alston, Orlando’s Tracy Belton, Portland’s Varmah Sonie, San Jose’s Clevan Thomas and Tampa Bay’s James Harrell.

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Kerry Reed, Cleveland’s Dominic Jones, Iowa’s Marco Thomas, Orlando’s Bernard Morris, Portland’s Jeffrey Solomon and San Jose’s Dominique Curry.

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 Prechae Rodriguez and Portland Thunder wide receiver Jeffrey Solomon. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 28. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 29.

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.