AFL Honor Players of the Week
April 1, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release
NEW YORK â Los Angeles Avengers quarterback TONY GRAZIANI, Las Vegas Gladiators defensive specialist JERIOD JOHNSON and Indiana Firebirds wide receiver/defensive back EVAN HLAVACEK have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 9 of the 2003 season.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Graziani (6-3, 210, Oregon), a third-year AFL veteran, connected on 19-of-31 passes for 319 yards, six touchdowns and one interception in the Avengers' last-second 64-63 victory over the Orlando Predators (6-3) on Sunday. The former Duck led the Avengers (7-2) back from a 12-point deficit with under 30 seconds remaining and connected on a 32-yard game-winning touchdown pass to GREG HOPKINS as the clock expired. This marks the second time Graziani has earned an AFL weekly honor.
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Johnson (5-9, 185, Oklahoma State), who is in his fourth AFL season, led Las Vegas (5-4) on the defensive side of the ball in the Gladiators' 46-41 victory over the Georgia Force (6-3) on Sunday which kept Las Vegas in a tie for the Eastern Division lead with Detroit. The former Cowboy recorded 7.5 total tackles and two interceptions â including one in the closing minute of the game to seal the victory. Johnson, who was named MVP in the victory, leads the Gladiators in total tackles (32.5), pass breakups (8) and interceptions (6). This marks the first time Johnson has earned an AFL weekly honor.
IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Hlavacek (5-11, 185, San Diego), who is in his fourth AFL season, led Indiana (4-5) with his two-way play by recording four receptions for 82 yards and three receiving touchdowns in the Firebirds' 62-55 victory over the Dallas Desperados (5-4) on Saturday. On his way to garnering Ironman of the Game honors, the former Torero recorded 138 kickoff return yards (including a 56-yard touchdown return), two total tackles and 230 all-purpose yards. This marks the second time Hlavacek has earned an AFL weekly honor.
Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Detroit's Andy Kelly, Indiana's Jose Davis and Evan Hlavacek, Grand Rapids' Clint Dolezel, Los Angeles' Greg Hopkins, New York's Aaron Garcia and Mike Furrey, San Jose's Keala Keanaaina, Tampa Bay's John Kaleo.
ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Buffalo's Dwaine Carpenter, Grand Rapids' Mark Ricks, Los Angeles' Cornelius Coe, New York's Donvetis Franklin, Orlando's Kenny McEntyre, Tampa Bay's B.J. Cohen.
Ironman of the Week candidates included: Detroit's Marcus Nash, Grand Rapids' Willis Marshall, Las Vegas' Sedrick Robinson, Los Angeles' Kevin Ingram, New York's William Holder, San Jose's Barry Wagner, Tampa Bay's Lawrence Samuels and Keita Crespina.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from April 1, 2003
- Buffalo Destroyers Game Notes - Buffalo Destroyers
- Detroit Fury Game Notes - Detroit Fury
- Hlavacek Named Ironman of the Week - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- San Jose SaberCats Game Notes - San Jose SaberCats
- Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Georgia Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
- L.A.'s Tony Graziani named AFL 'Offensive Player of the Week' - Los Angeles Avengers
- AFL and NBC Pay Tribute to Military Forces and Families at Desperados Game - AFL I
- Chicago Rush Game Notes - Chicago Rush
- AFL Honor Players of the Week - AFL I
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