Reynolds, Kizer and Sanders Earn Weekly Honors
Tuesday July 22, 2014
Washington and Ross also awarded for weekend’s highlights
CHICAGO – Iowa Barnstormers wide receiver Darius Reynolds has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Philadelphia Soul defensive back Rayshaun Kizer has been awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Spokane Shock defensive back Terrance Sanders has been awarded J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 19 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. The Cutters Catch of the Week has been awarded to Spokane Shock wide receiver Mike Washington, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to Philadelphia Soul fullback Derrick Ross.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Reynolds (6-2, 205, Iowa State) set a single-game franchise record with seven touchdown receptions in Iowa’s 56-59 loss to the Pittsburgh Power in Week 19. Reynolds caught 11 balls for 180 yards in the game. He has hauled in a touchdown pass in nine consecutive games.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Kizer (5-10, 195, Walsh) moved into sole possession of third place in AFL history for career interceptions, thanks to a pair of picks in Philadelphia’s 42-20 victory over the San Jose SaberCats in Week 19. Kizer, who has collected 57 interceptions in his five-year career, also recorded nine tackles and three pass breakups in the win.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Sanders (5-10, 180, Eastern Illinois) electrified the Spokane crowd once again with a kickoff return touchdown and a pick-six in the Shock’s 55-52 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm on Monday. Sanders finished the game with 2.5 tackles and 86 kickoff return yards to go along with his 10th interception of the season. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Washington (5-8, 175, Hawaii) flipped over the wall for a 23-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter of Spokane’s 55-52 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm. Washington, who is in the midst of his fourth consecutive season with at least 100 catches and 1,000 yards, has hauled in a touchdown pass in each of the last three games, including a pair of scores on Monday night. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch, which landed at No. 6 on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Ross (6-0, 250, Tarleton State) took a screen pass and rumbled 32 yards for a touchdown, bulldozing over a fleet of San Jose defenders in the second quarter of Philadelphia’s 42-20 victory over the SaberCats in Week 19. The AFL’s all-time leading rusher also ran for three scores in the game and has collected a touchdown on the ground in each of his last eight contests.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Rod Windsor, Cleveland’s Shane Austin, LA’s J.J. Raterink, Orlando’s Bernard Morris, Philadelphia’s Derrick Ross and Spokane’s Erik Meyer.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem, Cleveland’s Joe Phinisee, New Orleans’ Cameron McGlenn, Pittsburgh’s Virgil Gray, San Antonio’s Jamar Ransom and Spokane’s Terrance Sanders.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Arkeith Brown, Cleveland’s Dominick Goodman, Iowa’s Mervin Brookins, LA’s Donovan Morgan, New Orleans’ Larry Beavers and Philadelphia’s Markee White.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Cleveland Gladiators quarterback Shane Austin, Orlando Predators quarterback Bernard Morris and Spokane Shock quarterback Erik Meyer. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, July 23. The winner will be announced on Thursday, July 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.