AFL awards Week 3 Players of the Week

Tuesday April 19, 2016

Davila, Kizer, Jennings Earn Weekly Honors With Standout Performances

LAS VEGAS (April 19, 2016) – The Arena Football League has announced that Arizona’s Nick Davila, Los Angeles’ Rayshaun Kizer, and Philadelphia’s Teddy Jennings have been named as the Under Armour Offensive Player, Riddell Defensive Player and AFL Playmaker of the Week for Week 3, respectively. In addition to these awards, the AFL has awarded Cleveland’s Brandon Stephens the Cutters Catch of the Week, while the AFL Highlight of the Week was awarded to Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins. Those clips can be found by following the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).

UNDER ARMOUR OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Davila (6’3, 220, Cincinnati), whose wife gave birth to a son earlier in the day, went on to lead the Rattlers to a 60-27 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm and earn Under Armour Offensive Player of the Game honors. The former Bearcat completed 28-of-37 passes for 248 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions. Davila leads the AFL’s No. 1 scoring offense (69.7 ppg) and has 17 touchdowns and no interceptions for the undefeated Rattlers (3-0).

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kizer (5’9, 195, Walsh) stepped up and led the LA KISS to a big 47-42 road victory over the Cleveland Gladiators this past weekend on CBS Sports Network. The six-year veteran defensive back tallying 7.5 total tackles and added a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown to start the game. He currently has 17.5 total tackles and two interceptions to help lead the KISS to a 2-1 start on the young season.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK: Jennings (6’6, 280, Connecticut) proved to be a playmaker with his performance in the Philadelphia Soul’s 70-32 victory over the Portland Steel this past weekend. The former All-Arena standout had 4.0 total tackles, 2.0 sacks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a blocked extra point. The three-year veteran leads the Soul with 3.0 sacks and has helped get his team off to a 2-1 start.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK: Stephens (5’11, 210, Miami OH) led Cleveland with nine solo tackles in their 49-42 loss to the LA KISS. His interception and subsequent return for 49 yards earned him the “Catch of the Week.” His interception was his first of the season and is currently tied for second in the longest interception return this season.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK: Thompkins (5’10, 185, Arkansas State) put in a fantastic performance in Monday’s 63-56 win against the Jacksonville Sharks by hauling in nine passes for 83 yards and one touchdown along with five kickoff returns for 110 yards. Thompkins 54-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown was the first for the league this season. He currently leads the league in all-purpose yards with 650 yards.

Under Armour Offensive Player candidates included: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills, Los Angeles’ Nathan Stanley, Philadelphia’s Dan Raudabaugh

Riddell Defensive Player candidates included: Arizona’s Tyre Glasper, Jacksonville’s Alvin Ray Jackson, Philadelphia’s Teddy Jennings

J. Lewis Small Playmaker candidates included: Arizona’s Rod Windsor, Cleveland’s Collin Taylor, Orlando’s Brandon Thompkins and Philadelphia’s Ryan McDaniel

PREVIOUS WINNERS:
WEEK 1: Orlando’s Randy Hippeard (Offensive), Arizona’s Damien Borel and Luis Vazquez (Co-Defensive), Philadelphia’s Shaun Kauleinamoku (Playmaker), Los Angeles’ Donovan Morgan (Catch), and Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Highlight).
WEEK 2: Jacksonville’s Joe Hills (Offensive), Cleveland’s Joe Powell (Defensive), Arizona’s Rod Windsor (Playmaker), Tampa Bay’s Philip Barnett (Catch), and Orlando’s Kent Richardson (Highlight).

ABOUT THE AFL
The Arena Football League enters its 29th Season in 2016. 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 nationally broadcast AFL games each week, culminating with the ArenaBowl on ESPN. For all the latest news and discussion on the Arena Football League, follow the AFL on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (@aflarenaball).