Davila, Phinisee, and Brooks earn weekly honors
Tuesday June 9, 2015
Kellem and Kizer also awarded for weekend’s highlights
CHICAGO – Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Cleveland Gladiators defensive back Joe Phinisee has been awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, and Portland Thunder wide receiver Duane Brooks has been awarded J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 11 of the 2015 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 Arizona Rattlers defensive back Jeremy Kellem, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to LA KISS defensive back Rayshaun Kizer.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Davila (6-3, 220, Cincinnati) passed for 275 yards and a season-high nine touchdowns in his first game action since Week 5 last Saturday, guiding the Rattlers to a 69-46 win over the Tampa Bay Storm. The “Latin Laser” is now 118 passing yards shy of Raymond Philyaw for ninth-place in AFL history.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Phinisee (5-10, 190, Walsh) notched three tackles and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in Cleveland’s 63-44 win over the Las Vegas Outlaws in Week 11. Phinisee, who has returned three of his team-high four interceptions for scores this season, now ranks fourth in AFL history with nine pick-sixes in his career.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Brooks (5-10, 185, Stephen F. Austin) continued to cement his candidacy for J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Year in Week 11, scoring two touchdowns as a receiver and two more as a return man in Portland’s 40-52 loss to the LA KISS. The special teams ace has taken a kickoff to the house in four of the last five games and now stands two kickoff return scores shy of the Lamont Cooper’s League record of seven.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Kellem (5-10, 195, Middle Tennessee State) made a diving interception in the end zone during the second quarter of Arizona’s 69-46 win over the Tampa Bay Storm in Week 11. The fourth-year pro collected 3.5 tackles, four pass breakups, and two interceptions in the game, bringing his career interception total to 30 and tying him for the League-lead with nine picks on the season. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Kizer (5-10, 195, Walsh) intercepted a screen pass and took it the distance for a 40-yard touchdown in LA’s 52-40 victory over the Portland Thunder in Week 11. In his second game in a KISS uniform, Kizer tallied an LA season-high 8.5 tackles and set a new single-game franchise record with two interceptions in the contest. He ranks third in AFL history with 59 career interceptions.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Shane Austin, Jacksonville’s Anthony Jones, LA’s Adrian McPherson, Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh, and San Jose’s Reggie Gray.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem, Jacksonville’s Joe Sykes, LA’s Rayshaun Kizer, Philadelphia’s James Romain, and San Jose’s Ken Fontenette.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s AJ Cruz, Cleveland’s Amarri Jackson, Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins, Philadelphia’s Ryan McDaniel, and San Jose’s Reggie Gray.
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 defensive back Jeremy Kellem, Cleveland Gladiators defensive back Joe Phinisee, and LA KISS defensive back Rayshaun Kizer. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 10. The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 11.
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 2015 season. This season will also be the first with Scott C. Butera leading the way as Commissioner. The AFL schedule culminates with ArenaBowl XXVIII Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN.