af2 Names Weekly Honorees
Published on August 19, 2003 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
TULSA, Okla. - Tulsa quarterback CRAIG STRICKLAND, Macon's wide receiver/ linebacker TREMAINE NEAL and fullback / linebacker MARIO EVANS have been named Offensive Player, Ironman and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for the Conference Championships of the 2003 ArenaCup Playoffs.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Strickland (6-2, 210, UTEP) pleased his hometown crowd with a blistering nine-touchdown performance in Tulsa's 63-52 Conference Championship game victory over Arkansas. With the victory, the Talon's earned the right to host the 2003 ArenaCup. Strickland rushed for five touchdowns, setting a Talons single-game record and an af2 playoff record. Strickland scored 30 points, tying another af2 playoff mark. The signal caller accounted for four touchdowns through the air, hitting MITCH ALLNER, AL HUNT, TACOMA FONTAINE, and ALERIC CLARK for scores. He completed 14-of-25 passes for 225 yards and no interceptions.
IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Neal (6-3, 214, Valdosta State) earns Ironman of the Week honors after leading the Knight's air attack in their American Conference Championship upset victory over Tennessee Valley. Neal finished the game with eight catches for 99 yards and two touchdowns helping the Knight's overcome the absence of offensive specialist JACQUES RUMPH. Both of Neal's scores came in the third quarter, where the Viper's had a response for each of Macon's go-ahead scores. On defense, Neal recorded a team-high six tackles (three unassisted, six assisted). Neal caught four of his eight receptions for 55 yards in the quarter, including a game-long 37-yard strike that went for a touchdown.
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Evans (6-2, 250, Western Michigan) helped the Knights win the American Conference Championship and continue their run at the 2003 ArenaCup with crucial tackles and a takeaway in a 51-48 victory over Tennessee Valley. With the Viper's facing fourth down and one at the Macon one yard line with 3:52 left in the game, Evans tackled REGGIE WORTHY at the line of scrimmage to turn the ball over on downs and keep the score knotted at 48-48. On the ensuing possession, JERMAINE ALFRED drove the Knights to the Vipers' three-yard line, where with three seconds remaining, WESLEY WILSON converted the game winning field goal. In the first quarter, Evans picked off MATT SAUK at the Knight's 12-yard line. On Macon's next drive, Evans capped off the effort with a one yard rushing score. The second year player finished the game with 1.5 tackles, a pick and a pass defended.
Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Macon's Jermaine Alfred, Arkansas' Ricky Hebert, and Tulsa's Craig Strickland.
Ironman of the Week candidates included: Tennessee Valley's Jerrian James, Macon's Tremaine Neal, Tulsa's Al Hunt, and Arkansas' Frederick Burks.
ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Tennessee Valley's Joseph Todd, Macon's Denario Smalls, Macon's Mario Evans, Arkansas' Frederick Burks, and Tulsa's Travis Masters.
arenafootball2 Stories from August 19, 2003
- Q&A with Macon head coach Kevin Porter - af2
- Mr. Excitement named as af2 Ironman for 2003 - Greensboro Prowlers
- Conquest Extend Thanks after Second Season - Albany Firebirds
- af2 Names Weekly Honorees - af2
- Sippio Named Ironman of the Year - af2
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
