Dorados Present Team Awards
August 5, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Rio Grande Valley Dorados News Release
HIDALGO, TX: August 5, 2004 â Wednesday night, the Rio Grande Valley Dorados of the arenafootball2 (af2) league presented their season ending awards at a team gathering conducted at The Original Willie's Bar-B-Q in Alamo.
Walking away with two honors were defensive specialist Eddie Moten and lineman Spencer Conley. Moten, who just claimed the af2 ADT Defensive Player of the Week honor Tuesday to become the league's only two-time winner this season, claimed the Dorados "Rookie of the Year" award and the Dorados "Defensive Player of the Year" honor. The Texas A&M-Kingsville product co-led the af2 in interceptions with 10, while finishing second on the squad in tackles (47.5), pass break-ups (18), forced fumbles (tied 2) and leading the league in interception return yards (124). Conley was honored with the "Soul to Service" and the "Lineman of the Year" honor. Conley co-led the af2 in sacks with 8.5 to become the all-time active career leader with 23. The San Antonio native also had 10.5 tackles for a loss on the year. He earned the "Soul to Service" honor for all his efforts in community relations and his dedication to improve younger athletes in the Rio Grande Valley with their football careers.
Offensive Specialist Craig Cole was awarded the "Team MVP" honor. Cole, a native of Arlington, Texas, was limited to 9 games this season due to an injury, but gathered a team high 1449 all-purpose yards and averaged 161 all-purpose yards per game. The second year af2 pro led the team in kickoff return yards with 578 and co-led the team in touchdowns with 22 (3 rushing, 1 kickoff return, 18 receiving), including a career high and af2 record tying 57 yard kickoff return last Saturday night against Wichita. Cole ended the season with an active streak of seven consecutive multi-touchdown games and has totaled 51 touchdowns in his career.
The "Offensive Player of the Year" award was handed to rookie Manwell Talbert. The 6'2" 215-pound Talbert co-led the team with 22 touchdowns (2 rushing, 20 receiving) and led the team in receiving yards with 843. He was on pace to go over 900 yards and was looking to extend a 9-game touchdown streak Saturday in Wichita, but was injured in the contest and limited to one reception. Talbert appeared in every game with the Dorados and never missed a practice.
Rio Grande City native Abel Gonzalez received the "Fan Favorite" award, which is probably no surprise. "Abel" chants filled the Dodge Arena, as many of his family, friends and residents of Rio Grande City flooded into the Dodge Arena on a gamely basis. Gonzalez finished the season with a 106.2 QB passing rating after completing 124 of 224 passes for 1591 yards and 32 touchdowns. The first year quarterback also tied a league all-time high for most yardage gained on a pass play with a 49-yard pass to former Dorado Mike Duncan on April 10th in Oklahoma City.
The Dorados "Ironman" honor was presented to Dorados receiver/defensive back Ronshay Jenkins. Jenkins averaged 94.1 all-purpose yards per game and was the only Dorado to pick up yardage in every possible category (rushing, receiving, interception return yards, missed field goal return yards and kickoff returns). The New Mexico State product tallied 8 touchdowns this season (4 receiving, 1 rushing, 1 kickoff return and 1 interception return) and tied for fourth in team scoring with 48 points in 9 games. On the defensive side of the ball, Jenkins had 4 interceptions and had 98 yards in interception returns to rank sixth in the af2. He received the US Army Ironman of the Game twice this season for the Dorados.
Head Coach Gary Gussman also honored his coaching staff and handed out plaques to each of them for their assistance this season including Coach Lavelle "Dinky" Williams. Williams, the Dorados strength and conditioning coach, will be leaving the Dorados immediately, as he accepted the same position with the Arena Football League's Dallas Desperados. Prior to joining the Dorados, Williams was an personal fitness trainer in Lubbock, Texas, where he attended Texas Tech University. Williams initially built a relationship with the Desperados while completing a strength and conditioning internship at Valley Ranch with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dorados now head into "off season" mode and prepare for the 2005 season. To inquire about tickets and advertising packages for the 2005 season, please contact the Dorados offices at 956-843-7825 or visit the Dorados online at www.doradosfootball.com.
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