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af2 Names Players of the Week

May 20, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Quad City offensive specialist IRA GOOCH, Hawaii wide receiver/defensive back NIAN TAYLOR and Memphis defensive specialist KENZAKI JONES have been named Offensive Player, Ironman and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 8 of the 2003 season.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Gooch (6-foot, 190, Central Michigan), in his third season, earns Offensive Player of the Week accolades for the second straight week after following up his Week 7, 397-all-purpose yard performance with a 329-yard showing against Green Bay in Week 8. In the 64-55 win over the Blizzard, Gooch caught seven passes for 134 yards and two touchdowns, took a missed field goal back for 29 yards and returned seven kickoffs for 166 yards, including a 52-yard touchdown which shifted the game's momentum in Quad City's favor. Green Bay had taken the lead (43-42) late in the third quarter with a 19-yard touchdown reception, but Gooch quickly dashed Green Bay's hopes for an upset by returning the ensuing kickoff the length of the field for the score. Over the past three weeks, Gooch has totaled 29 catches for 504 yards with 10 touchdowns, and he has amassed 449 yards in kick returns during that span.

IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Taylor (6-2, 205 Washington state), in his third season, helped propel the Islanders into sole possession of first place in the West Division with a solid all-around effort in the 61-55 win over Wichita. Taylor, who spent some time in an AFL camp earlier this season, grabbed four receptions for 77 yards and three touchdowns (game high) against the Stealth. All three of his scores came in the second half. His final touchdown reception of the night, a 42-yard bomb, came with two minutes left in the game and put Hawaii up by two scores, ending any thoughts of a late comeback by the Stealth. Defensively, Taylor had a game high eight tackles and he recovered a fumble. This is Taylor's third Ironman of the Week award in his career. He won the honor in consecutive weeks last season.

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Jones (6-2, 200 Mississippi State), a rookie, came to Memphis late last week and wasted no time introducing himself to his new teammates and the hometown crowd, helping the Xplorers to its best defensive effort of the season in the 68-20 win over Louisville. Jones began his night honoring those who defend our country by performing the National Anthem before the game. On the field, Jones made four stops (2UT-4AT), which was the second highest total in the game, and he tallied five passes defended. He also nabbed two interceptions, including one he returned 40 yards for a touchdown. This is the first ADT award for Jones and the first weekly honor for any Memphis player this season.

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Hawaii's Eddie Klaneski, Mohegan's Greg Smith, Quad City's Paul Savich, Norfolk's Travis Burns, Arkansas' Kevin Williams, Cape Fear's Matt Burstein, Florida's Ken Mastrole, Peoria's Jack Walker, Albany's Ryan Vena, Tennessee Valley's Matt Sauk, Tulsa's Craig Strickland, Richmond's Damon Thompson.

Ironman of the Week candidates included: Memphis' Adrian Burnette, Mohegan's Cy Butler, Quad City's Tim Dodge, Norfolk's Jay Clarke, Bakersfield's Eric Mahanke, Cape Fear's Anthony Hines, Florida's Cainon Lamb, Memphis' Terrell Adams, Peoria's Jon Verdegan, Albany's Phil Yarberough, San Diego's Altie Parker, Tennessee Valley's Calvin Hall, Tulsa's Mitch Allner-TUL, Green Bay's Mal Lawyer.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Wichita's Brian Goolsby, Mohegan's Charlie Cook, Quad City's Josh Fourdyce, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Kevin Nagle, Bakersfield J-Sharlon Jones, Charleston's Mike Chandler, Florida' Tyronn Johnson, Peoria's David Knott, Albany's Jamie Ware, San Diego's Kenny Haslip, Tennessee Valley's Jerrian James, Tulsa's Corky Martin.

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