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Claunch Tops Week's Best in af2

July 1, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - San Diego quarterback KANE CLAUNCH, Greensboro wide receiver/defensive back BOBBY SIPPIO and Quad City defensive specialist ASA FRANCIS have been named Offensive Player, Ironman and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 14 of the 2003 season.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Claunch (6-3, 220, Montana Tech), in his third af2 season, completed 16-of-19 passes for 281 yards with six touchdowns for a perfect passer rating of 158.33 as the Riptide beat the Stealth 60-53 breaking their five-game losing streak. Claunch missed on just three passes with two being broken up and the third being tossed out of bounds to avoid a sack. He also ran for a one-yard touchdown on fourth and goal. To earn a 158.33 rating, a passer must complete 77.5% of his passes, have 15.83% of his passes go for touchdowns, average at least 12.5 yards per attempt and have no interceptions. Claunch completed 84.2% of his passes, had 31.6% of his passes go for scores, had 14.8 yards per attempt and did not toss any interceptions. Claunch is the first Riptide player ever named Offensive Player of the Week.

IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Sippio (6-2, 215, Western Kentucky), a rookie, scored five times and provided some timely defense for the Prowlers in a much-needed 59-52 win against divisional foe Norfolk Saturday night. Taking over the team lead in scoring (126 points), Sippio made six catches for 134 yards including touchdown receptions of 15, 47, 14, 20 and 31 yards. He also returned five kickoffs for 125 yards and a missed field goal for nine yards. Defensively, Sippio registered six tackles defended one pass and intercepted another which he ran back 22 yards to set up his first receiving touchdown. This is Sippio's second Ironman of the Week award this season. He won the honor in Week 5.

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Francis (6-3, 225, New Mexico Military), in his first season, saved his best game of the season for the most important matchup to date for the Steamwheelers as they defeated the first-place Islanders 54-36 Saturday night. Helping to hold the Islanders to 191 yards of total offense, Francis was a constant menace to QB MIKE TILLIS. He registered four sacks on the night and also recorded an additional tackle for a loss. Francis led all defenders with 7.5 tackles and he forced two fumbles. This is Francis' first weekly honor and he is the third 'Wheeler to win a weekly accolade this season.

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Memphis' Rod Robinson, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Terrell Johnson, Albany's Ryan Vena, Arkansas' Darnell Small, Bakersfield's Chad Elliott, Cape Fear's Anthony Hines, Florida's Ken Mastrole, Green Bay's Nate Lehman, Quad City's Tim Dodge, Rochester's Martino Theus, Birmingham's Josh Kellet.

Ironman of the Week candidates included: Memphis' George Williams, Richmond's Rodney Sledge, Albany's Phil Taylor, Arkansas' Sacha Lancaster, Bakersfield's Ryan Sloth, Florida's Cainon Lamb, Green Bay's Sidney Lewis, Greensboro's Bobby Graham, Hawaii's Josh White, Rochester's Lamonte Colman, Tennessee Valley's Xavier Patterson, Wichita's John Norman.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Memphis' Thomas Herron, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Johnny Anderson, Albany's Lju Stamenich, Arkansas' Kahlil Carter, Bakersfield's Julian Yearwood, Charleston's Joe Judge, Florida's Schad Freeman, Green Bay's Sidney Lewis, Greensboro's Toby Champion, Rochester's Mike Summers, Tennessee Valley's Wes Stephens, San Diego's Kenny Haslip.



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