Garcia, Robinson and Toliver Earn Weekly Honors
May 14, 2013 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Orlando Predators QB AARON GARCIA has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Philadelphia Soul DL BRYAN ROBINSON has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Orlando Predators WR T.T. TOLIVER has been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 8 of the 2013 NET10 Wireless 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. Chicago Rush WR REGGIE GRAY earned the Cutters Catch of the Week, while Tampa Bay Storm QB ADRIAN McPHERSON was awarded the AFL Highlight of the Week.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Garcia (6-1, 195, Sacramento State) set Predators franchise records with 442 passing yards and 11 touchdowns - a mark that also represents a career-high - in Orlando's 83-82 comeback victory over the Spokane Shock in Week 8. The future Hall of Famer guided Orlando back from three separate three-touchdown deficits for the win in the second-highest scoring game in AFL history.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Robinson (6-3, 290, Wesley) recorded five tackles for loss in Philadelphia's 48-53 loss to the Pittsburgh Power in Week 8. The fourth-year pro also collected two sacks and a blocked kick in the game. Robinson leads the League in tackles for loss with 10.5 and ranks second in the AFL in sacks with 5.5 on the season.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Toliver (6-0, 180, Bethune-Cookman) broke Arena Football Hall of Famer Barry Wagner's 17-year-old Orlando franchise record with 251 receiving yards in the Predators' 83-82 victory over Spokane in Week 8. He also set a new Predators record with 18 receptions and tied the team mark for most receiving touchdowns in a game with six. It was the third consecutive game Toliver has tallied double-digit receptions and triple-digit receiving yards and the fourth straight game the nine-year veteran has recorded a touchdown reception. He will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Gray (5-10, 185, Western Illinois) hauled in a 32-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Danny Southwick late in the fourth quarter of Chicago's 50-53 loss to the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 8. Despite Gladiators defensive back Marrio Norman getting a hand on the ball, Gray displayed outstanding concentration to haul in his third scoring strike of the night. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
McPherson (6-4, 225, Florida State) set a new single-season AFL record for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in Week 8, recording his 23rd of the season in the Storm's 34-64 loss to the San Jose SaberCats. The record-breaking rush came in the third quarter of the game and tied the Tampa Bay franchise record for rushing touchdowns by any player in a single season. McPherson has rushed for at least two touchdowns in every game this season.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included : Arizona's Nick Davila, Cleveland's Chris Dieker, Iowa's Jesse Schmidt, Pittsburgh's Mike Washington, San Antonio's D.J. Stephens and San Jose's Russ Michna.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included : Arizona's Arkeith Brown, Chicago's Anthony Hoke, Iowa's Matangi Tonga, Jacksonville's Jerry Turner, San Jose's Ken Fontenette and Spokane's Terrance Taylor.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included : Chicago's Reggie Gray, Iowa's Marcus Harris, Pittsburgh's James Robinson, San Antonio's Nick Hill, San Jose's Huey Whittaker and Utah's David Hyland.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the AFL MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Orlando QB AARON GARCIA, Philadelphia DL BRYAN ROBINSON and San Jose DB KEN FONTENETTE. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 15. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 16.
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Arena Football League Stories from May 14, 2013
- McPherson Honored by the AFL - Tampa Bay Storm
- Tampa Bay Looks To Right The Ship In Pittsburgh - Tampa Bay Storm
- Garcia, Robinson and Toliver Earn Weekly Honors - AFL
- Star of "The Voice" to Sing Anthem at Barnstormers Home - Iowa Barnstormers
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