Raudabaugh, Jones and Bush earn week 8 honors
Tuesday May 3, 2011
Harvey, Stokes and Smith also awarded for weekend’s highlights
TULSA, OKLA. – Dallas QB DAN RAUDABAUGH, Milwaukee WR/DB ANDRE JONES and Orlando WR JOSH BUSH have been named Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and JLS Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 8 of the 2011 AFL season. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also awarding the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 8 is WR JERON HARVEY of the Jacksonville Sharks, while the NiFTy Playmaker of the Week is Philadelphia WR/KR KEITH STOKES. The Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Spokane DL KHREEM SMITH.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Raudabaugh (6-2, 215, Miami University - Ohio) led the Vigilantes in their road victory, 72-63, against the Kansas City Command. Raudabaugh completed 29 of his 35 passes for 377-yards and seven touchdowns. Raudabaugh’s Vigilantes are off to a 5-2 start and at the helm of the Central Division standings. Last year, the team finished 3-13.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jones (5-11, 183, Forestville) tallied six tackles, a forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and an interception in the Mustangs second win of the season Tampa Bay, 50-33. Jones ranks second in the AFL with 12 pass break-ups. He is tied for second in the AFL with five interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Bush (5-9, 165, Western Michigan) compiled 312 all-purpose yards in Orlando’s loss to the Jacksonville Sharks, 55-76, on NFL Network. Bush hauled in nine balls for 127-yards and three touchdowns while notching eight returns for 181-yards. The Predators will play on NFL Network for their second consecutive week this Friday at 8:00 p.m. EST.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Harvey (6-5, 220, Houston) hauled in Sharks QB Aaron Garcia’s 1,000th career touchdown pass with 3:50 remaining in the first half against on Saturday against Orlando. Garcia’s mark is the most in professional football history. Harvey tallied seven catches for 105-yards and two touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown.
NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Stokes (5-8, 185, East Carolina) was all over the turf in Philadelphia’s victory over the Iowa Barnstormers, 76-62, on Saturday. Stokes caught 11 balls for 159-yards and three touchdowns. He also added two kick returns for 44-yards.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Smith (6-4, 265, Oklahoma State University) blocked Arizona kicker Fabrizio Scaccia’s walk off field-goal attempt as time expired to give Spokane a 70-69 victory. The loss was Arizona’s first of the season.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Tulsa’s Matt Bassuener, Georgia’s Maurice Purify, Jacksonville’s Aaron Garcia, Chicago’s Reggie Gray, Tampa’s Huey Whittaker, Iowa’s Brad Banks and Spokane’s Kyle Rowley.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Levy Brown, Georgia’s Ahmad Hawkins, Jacksonville’s Charles Hunt, Chicago’s Quartez Vickerson, Philadelphia’s Tanner Varner and Spokane’s Antwan Marsh.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Cleveland’s Robert Redd, Georgia’s Jeff Littlejohn, Chicago’s Vic Hall, Milwaukee’s Marcus Everett, Iowa’s Errick McCown and Arinzona’s Terrance Sanders.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner on Facebook and ArenaFootball.com. Candidates include Jacksonville QB Aaron Garcia, Philadelphia QB Ryan Vena and Spokane QB Kyle Rowley.The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 5, 2011.
About the AFL
Since its inception in 1987, the AFL has afforded the fast-paced and exciting game of Arena Football to millions of fans in a myriad of markets across the country. The NFL Network will once again broadcast an AFL National Game of the Week for the entire regular and post season on Friday nights at 8:00 pm EST, culminating with the ArenaBowl Championship Game in August.