Ben McCombs Named Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year
August 10, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO - Spokane Shock DL BEN MCCOMBS has been named the 2009 Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and members of the media.
In his first year with Spokane (sixth af2 season overall), McCombs had a stellar defensive season in 2009. His prolific pass rush skills helped the Shock to a near perfect 15-1 regular season record. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound lineman from Mid-America Nazarene led the af2 in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (16.5 tackles - 83 yards) and also ranked in the Top-10 in forced fumbles (T5th-4). McCombs finished with 25.5 total tackles (17 solo, 17 assisted) in 16 games played. He was recently named to the National Conference All-af2 First Team. McCombs is also the league's all-time leader in career sacks with 56.5.
McCombs was a big reason why the No. 1-ranked Shock held the top position in the league's standings in scoring defense (37.6 points per game) and turnover margin (+34; 54 gained, 20 lost). In addition, Spokane ranked second in total defense (251.7 yards per game) and third in sacks (38). The Shock won their fourth straight West Division title in 2009, starting the regular season off with a 12-game winning streak.
McCombs continues to be a driving force in the Shock's current playoff run. He recorded one sack in the club's most recent, 59-35, National Conference Semifinal win at home against Boise. Spokane is one win away from its second straight ArenaCup appearance and third overall in the team's first four years in the af2. The No. 1 seed Shock host No. 2 Tulsa this Saturday, August 15 at 10 PM ET in the National Conference Championship. The American Conference Championship will feature the No. 1 seed Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers hosting the No. 6 seed Green Bay Blizzard on Saturday, August 15 at 7 PM ET.
The winner of each Conference Championship will meet in the 2009 ArenaCup title game in two weeks (August 22) at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas. Ticket/Hotel packages for ArenaCup10 are available for purchase by visiting www.orleansarena.com, all Coast Casinos box offices, The Galleria at Sunset or by calling 800-675-3267 and mention code: ARENACUP.
About Russell Athletic
For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic has supplied America's athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college, and professional level. Russell Athletic activewear and college licensed products are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains, and college bookstores. For more information, log onto www.russellathletic.com.
Remaining 2009 af2 Award Announcements:
Spalding Rookie of the Year - Tuesday, Aug. 11
SFC Asst. Coach & Sportexe Head Coach of the Year - Wednesday, Aug. 12 The Big Game Playmaker of the Year - Thursday, Aug. 13
Aaron's Defensive Player of the Year - Friday, Aug. 14
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year - Tuesday, Aug. 18
JLS Ironman of the Year - Wednesday, Aug. 19
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- McCombs selected as the af2's Lineman of the Year - Spokane Shock
- Ben McCombs Named Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year - af2
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