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af2 names weekly award winners

July 18, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Bakersfield wide receiver/defensive back DERONN FINLEY, South Georgia quarterback JULIAN REESE, and Memphis defensive specialist SCOTT CUNNINGHAM have been named the U.S. Army Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 16 of the 2006 season. In addition to these three awards, the recipient of the Cutters Catch of the Week Award goes to Florida offensive/defensive lineman COMONE FISHER. 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

Finley (5-9, 185, Idaho State), in his third af2 season, had a strong overall outing for the Blitz despite Bakersfield's, 51-37, Week 16 loss to Central Valley. The veteran two-way standout did everything he could to help the Blitz. On offense, the Idaho State alum had five catches for 38 yards, 16 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and also totaled 85 kick return yards. Finley added 3.5 tackles and an 18-yard interception return for a touchdown on defense as well. This is the fourth Ironman of the Week honor of Finley's career and his second of the season.

SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Reese (6-2, 220, Indiana State) led South Georgia to an impressive, 82-37, road victory at Tennessee Valley in Week 16. The 82 points scored by the Wildcats set a new team record, eclipsing the previous franchise high of 78 set in 2004. Reese, in his second af2 season, completed 20-of-29 passes for 291 yards and a team-record nine touchdowns with no interceptions. The Indiana State alum also accumulated 24 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. This is the third Offensive Player of the Week honor of Reese's career. He is also the second Wildcat to be honored by the af2 in as many weeks. Teammate Blake Saunders earned the U.S. Army Ironman of the Week Award for Week 15.

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cunningham (5-9, 180, Tennessee State), in his second af2 season, was a major player on defense for Memphis in the team's 75-15 home win against Amarillo in Week 16. The former Tennessee State Tiger tallied a game-high 7.0 tackles and two interceptions. Cunningham's efforts were a big reason why the Xplorers surrendered a season-low 15 points to clinch their third straight trip to the af2 playoffs. This is the first ADT Defensive Player of the Week Award of Cunningham's career.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Florida offensive/defensive lineman Comone Fisher (6-2, 290, Mississippi), who is in his fourth season with the Firecats, is the Week 16 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. Fisher's catch was a 9-yard touchdown grab early in the third quarter of Florida's 66-56 home win against Albany. What was remarkable about the play was that it was a full-out diving grab by a 290-pound lineman who is more accustomed to pass blocking and pass rushing than pass catching. It wasn't Fisher's first touchdown of the season either. Three of his five catches on the season have resulted in touchdowns. The veteran from Mississippi also leads the Firecats in sacks with five. Others receiving consideration this week included Manchester's Wendell Williams, Louisville's Dennis Fryzel, Macon's Chavis McCollister, Memphis' Kenny Higgins, Oklahoma City's Al Hunt, Tulsa's Andre Forde, South Georgia's Blake Saunders, Central Valley's Emmett White, Stockton's Atnas Maeko and Green Bay's Luke Leverson.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included: Manchester's Mark Kimener, South Georgia's Tim Robinson, Tulsa's Don McGee, Memphis' Deon Giddens, Louisville's Scott Power, Florida's Ethenic Sands, Spokane's Charles Frederick, Everett's Clay Harris, Oklahoma City's Alan Krutulis and Macon's Matt Jackson.

Schutt Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Manchester's Steve Bellisari, Tulsa's Mark Radlinski, Memphis' Kevin Prentiss, Louisville's Rob Mager, Albany's Ryan Vena, Central Valley's Scott Rislov, Spokane's Kyle Rowley, Macon's Chavis McCollister, Everett's J.R. Thomas and Oklahoma City's Al Hunt.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Manchester's William Haith, South Georgia's Blake Saunders, Tulsa's Chad Ruffin, Quad City's Troy Graham, Florida's Cory Bailey, Bakersfield's Ben McCombs, Spokane's Isaiah Trufant, Oklahoma City's Cliff Holloman, Green Bay's Asa Francis and Macon's Rashaad Pitts.



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