Thomas, Fontenette, and Jackson earn weekly honors

Tuesday May 19, 2015

Windsor and Moore also awarded for weekend’s highlights

CHICAGO – Portland Thunder quarterback Darron Thomas has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while San Jose SaberCats defensive back Ken Fontenette has been awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Cleveland Gladiators wide receiver Amarri Jackson has been awarded J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 8 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 wide receiver Rod Windsor, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to Orlando Predators Jack linebacker Terence Moore.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Thomas (6-2, 215, Oregon) looked outstanding in his first start of 2015, guiding the Thunder to a franchise-record 63 points in the team’s 63-47 win over the LA KISS in Week 8. Thomas accounted for seven total touchdowns in the game, passing for a career-high six scores to go along with one touchdown on the ground.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Fontenette (5-11, 190, Houston) set a single-game San Jose record with four interceptions to go along with six tackles in the SaberCats’ 83-28 victory over the Spokane Shock in Week 8. Now in his fifth season in the League, Fontenette leads the AFL with seven interceptions on the season and ranks second in Arena Football with 55.5 tackles on the year.

J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Jackson (6-4, 220, South Florida) starred on offense and special teams in Cleveland’s 64-42 victory over the New Orleans VooDoo in Week 8. The fifth-year pro scored on two of his three receptions in the game and also left his mark as a return man, taking a kickoff back 51 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. He finished the night with a team-high 138 all-purpose yards.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Windsor (6-2, 205, Western New Mexico) made a spectacular one-handed catch in the back corner of the end zone to close out the first quarter of Arizona’s 60-42 victory over the Las Vegas Outlaws in Week 8. Rattlers quarterback B.J. Coleman lobbed a pass where only Windsor could come down with it and the perennial All-Arena wideout did just that, securing his second of three touchdown grabs on the night. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.

AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Moore (6-2, 225, Troy) helped propel the Predators to rally in the final minute of regulation of Orlando’s 63-62 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in Week 8. Down 15 points with 1:10 left on the clock, the fourth-year Jack linebacker intercepted an errant Jason Boltus pass and returned it 25 yards for a score, electrifying the Amway Center crowd and sparking a most improbable Orlando comeback in the “War on I-4.”

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s B.J. Coleman, Cleveland’s Shane Austin, Jacksonville’s Joe Hills, Orlando’s Bernard Morris, and San Jose’s Nathan Stanley.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Jeremy Kellem, Cleveland’s Anthony Degrate, Jacksonville’s Greg Reid, Portland’s Osagie Odiase, and Tampa Bay’s Rick-J Hill.

J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s AJ Cruz, Jacksonville’s LaRoche Jackson, Orlando’s Kendal Thompkins, Portland’s Duane Brooks, and San Jose’s Darius Reynolds.

The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Orlando Predators quarterback Bernard Morris, Portland Thunder quarterback Darron Thomas, and San Jose SaberCats quarterback Nathan Stanley. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 20. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 21.

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.