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af2 announces first round players of the week

August 8, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Louisville wide receiver/defensive back LANCE TAYLOR, Memphis offensive specialist KEVIN PRENTISS, and Manchester defensive specialist WILLIAM HAITH have been named the U.S. Army Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for the First Round of the 2006 ArenaCup Playoffs. In addition to these three awards, the recipient of the Cutters Catch of the Week Award goes to Oklahoma City wide receiver/linebacker TACOMA FONTAINE. The Catch of the Week is a new honor that highlights the player who makes the best catch of the week.

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Taylor (5-10, 190, Alabama), in his second af2 season, had an impressive individual effort for Louisville in the team's 83-61 first round playoff loss at Memphis. Despite the outcome, Taylor fueled the Fire attack with a record-breaking performance. The Alabama alum made his presence felt the most on offense and special teams. Taylor scored three total touchdowns (2 receiving, 1 rushing) and accumulated an af2 postseason record 289 yards on 10 kick returns. He also finished with an af2 all-time postseason high of 362 all-purpose yards (4 rushing, 69 receiving, 289 kick return). In addition to his offensive exploits, Taylor also tallied 1.0 tackle on the defensive side. This is the second Ironman of the Week Award of Taylor's career. He was also honored by the league for Week 6.

SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Prentiss (5-8, 160, Mississippi State) had a historic night in leading the Memphis Xplorers to an 83-61 home win against Louisville in the first round of the af2 playoffs. The three-year veteran from Mississippi State put on an amazing one-man show against the Fire, setting a plethora of af2 postseason records in the process. Prentiss made his mark on the record book with eight total touchdowns, seven receiving touchdowns, and 48 points scored. He caught 12 passes for 192 yards (both game-highs) and accumulated 298 all-purpose yards (192 receiving, 106 kick return). In addition to his seven receiving scores, Prentiss got the game off to an explosive start by taking the opening kick back 58 yards for a touchdown. This is the second Offensive Player of the Week Award of Prentiss' career. He was also honored by the league once in 2005 (Week 2).

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Haith (5-11, 190, Liberty), in his third af2 season, was an impact player on defense for Manchester in the team's 55-47 home win against W-B/Scranton in the first round of the af2 playoffs. The former Liberty standout had 8.5 total tackles and two interceptions (tied af2 postseason record) in the victory. Haith's defensive totals also included a half a tackle for loss and one pass breakup. He capped off his impressive outing with a 54-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown - the first of his career. This is the second ADT Defensive Player of the Week Award of Haith's career. He was also honored by the league once in 2005 (Week 6).

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Oklahoma City wide receiver/linebacker Tacoma Fontaine (6-0, 190, Missouri State), who is in his third af2 season, is the first round recipient of the Cutters Catch of the Week Award, a weekly honor that has emerged this year to highlight the player who makes the best catch of the week. Fontaine's catch was a nifty one-handed touchdown grab late in the third quarter on a fade pass thrown by QB Craig Strickland. He caught six passes in all for 61 yards. Fontaine's efforts weren't enough, however, as the Yard Dawgz saw their season come to a close with a 47-43 home loss to Arkansas. Others receiving consideration this week included W-B/Scranton's Yaacov Yisrael, Central Valley's LaMonte Jones and Memphis' Kevin Prentiss.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included: Memphis' Terrance Quattlebaum, Arkansas' Pierre Thomas, Oklahoma City's Jarrail Jackson, Bakersfield's DeRonn Finley and Manchester's Wendell Williams.

Schutt Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arkansas' Robert Kilow, Bakersfield's Bobby Pesavento and Manchester's Ari Confesor.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Memphis' Deon Giddens, Oklahoma City's Barrett Allen and Bakersfield's Jerry Turner.



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