Saintil named AFL Offensive Player of the Week

Tuesday June 24, 2008

San Jose Wideout Collects Award After 7 TD Receptions
 
SAN JOSE, Calif. (June 24, 2008) – San Jose SaberCats WR CLEANNORD SAINTIL was named the Arena Football League’s Offensive Player of the Week after amassing a Week 17-high seven touchdown receptions against the Georgia Force on Saturday, the league announced today.
 
Saintil (6-0, 190, Middle Tennessee State) recorded game-highs of 12 receptions and 155 receiving yards to accompany his scoring total, which tied a team record, in San Jose’s 68-62 win over Georgia. The second-year SaberCat also tied a franchise record with 18 receptions on March 22 against Dallas.
 
“Cleannord is a phenomenal player who is making a name for himself in this league,” stated head coach and general manager Darren Arbet. “He’s been the perfect complement to Roe and Wright, and we feel that the sky is the limit for this kid.”
 
Saintil opened the SaberCats scoring on the night hauling in a 15-yard offering from Mark Grieb early in the first stanza. He would then go on to score at least one TD in every quarter while providing the go ahead points of the game with 5:35 left to give San Jose a 68-62 lead they would not surrender. Saintil also contributed with 1.5 special teams tackles and a fumble recovery.
 
The accolade is the first weekly award Saintil has been honored with during his 21-game career. He led the San Jose receiving unit this season with 1,503 yards and 35 touchdown receptions while ranking second on the squad with 120 catches. His touchdown total ranked fourth among league leaders.
 
Philadelphia defensive back Eddie Moten was named the ADT Defensive Player of the Week and Tampa Bay WR/LB Lawrence Samuels earned Ironman honors.
 
The SaberCats begin defense of their ArenaBowl title on Saturday, July 5, in a Divisional Round playoff contest against an opponent to be determined. Tickets are available and can be purchased at the HP Pavilion ticket office, all Northern California Ticketmaster locations, by phone at (408) 998-TIXS and online at ticketmaster.com.
 
A premiere franchise in the Arena Football League, San Jose has won three ArenaBowl championships and captured eight Western Division titles, nine consecutive playoff appearances and owns the league’s best regular season record this decade.