Robinson, Alfonzo and Harrel voted to AFL All-Arena teams
Wednesday June 25, 2008
June 25, 2008 – After finishing the 2008 regular season with an 11-5 record and a Central Division title, the Chicago Rush placed three players on the AFL’s All-Arena teams, the league announced today.
Defensive back Dennison Robinson was named First Team All-Arena for the first time in his career, while linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo was voted First Team for the second-consecutive season.
Wide receiver Damian Harrell was voted second-team All-Arena for the second-consecutive season. Overall, Harrell has been named either First or Second Team All-Arena for five consecutive seasons.
“I think all three of our guys are very deserving of the honor,” said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. “Robinson and Alfonzo both worked very hard and earned their spot on the first team. And while Damian Harrell’s numbers might be down this year compared to other seasons, we are proud of how he set a positive example and helped lead our young receiving corps. His inclusion on the second team is a tribute to his unselfish play.”
Robinson (6-0, 195, West Georgia), a leading candidate for the league’s Defensive Player of the Year award, tied the AFL record with 13 interceptions this season. In addition, Robinson tied for the Rush team lead with 92.5 tackles, and added nine passes broken up and three forced fumbles.
Despite suffering a season-ending injury at Cleveland on June 7, Alfonzo (6-0, 205, Indiana State) was Chicago’s third-leading tackler with 80. He finished his season with three interceptions, four passes broken up and four fumble recoveries. In addition, he ranked fifth in the league with 17 special-teams tackles.
Harrell (6-3, 182, Florida State) finished the season with 94 receptions for 1,165 yards and a team-leading 25 touchdowns. He ranks second in AFL history in touchdown receptions (320), and third in catches (987) and receiving yards (13,046).
The Philadelphia Soul led the way with seven selections to the All-Arena teams, while the San Jose SaberCats placed five players on the 2008 squad.
After clinching the top seed in the American Conference playoffs with a 75-63 win Sunday over Dallas, the Rush will enjoy a bye this week. The team will return to action next week when it hosts an AFL Divisional Round playoff game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, July 6.
Tickets for the game are available and may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at (312) 559-1212, or by visiting the Ticketmaster Web site at ticketmaster.com" target="_blank">www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets also may be purchased in person at any Ticketmaster outlet or the Allstate Arena box office.
| 2008 ALL-ARENA FIRST TEAM | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | DEFENSE | ||||
| QB | Matt D’Orazio | Philadelphia | DL | Aaron McConnell | Colorado |
| FB | Marlion Jackson | Cleveland | DL | Colston Weatherington | Dallas |
| C | Will Rabatin | Columbus | DL | Henry Taylor | New York |
| OL | Phil Bogle | Philadelphia | MLB | Steve Watson | San Jose |
| OL | Martin Bibla | Philadelphia | JLB | DeJuan Alfonzo | Chicago |
| WR | Chris Jackson | Philadelphia | DB | Dennison Robinson | Chicago |
| WR | Huey Whittaker | Utah | DB | Marquis Floyd | San Jose |
| WR | T.T. Toliver | Orlando | DB | Billy Parker | New York |
| K | A.J. Haglund | San Jose | |||
| 2008 ALL-ARENA SECOND TEAM | |||||
| OFFENSE | DEFENSE | ||||
| QB | Joe Germaine | Utah | DL | Bryan Save | Philadelphia |
| FB | Brian Johnson | San Jose | DL | Gabe Nyenhuis | Philadelphia |
| C | Kyle Moore-Brown | Colorado | DL | Tim McGill | Tampa Bay |
| OL | Howard Duncan | Columbus | MLB | Duke Pettijohn | Dallas |
| OL | Shane Grice | Georgia | JLB | Norman LeJeune | New Orleans |
| WR | Otis Amey | Cleveland | DB | Clevan Thomas | San Jose |
| WR | Kenny Higgins | Grand Rapids | DB | Eddie Moten | Philadelphia |
| WR | Damian Harrell | Chicago | DB | Kenny McEntyre | Orlando |
| K | Remy Hamilton | Dallas | |||
