Eight Stealth players nominated for All-af2 selections

July 25, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release


Wichita, KS - arenafootball2 has released the nominees for the 2002 All-af2 teams. Eight Wichita Stealth players are part of that list including; Quarterback Ron Lopez, Wide Receiver/Defensive backs Xavier Patterson and Will Sullivan, Wide Receiver/Linebacker Willie Grissom, Defensive Specialist Harold Piersey, Offensive/Defensive Linemen Bryan Henderson and Chris Enneking, and Fullback/Linebacker Bruce Henderson.

Patterson is most familiar with this position, as he was named IronMan of the Year and selected to the All-af2 team in 2000, and honored as part of the All-af2 Second Team in 2001. Patterson will be looking for his third consecutive nomination to the All-af2 team.

Both Lopez and Enneking have experience in the Arena Football League, but neither played in the af2 until this year and are recognized as rookies. Enneking was named Built Ford Tough Man of the Week after his best performance of the year against the San Diego Riptide. Enneking recorded a sack, blocked kick, pass defense, and tore through the front line of the Riptide drawing numerous holding penalties and leading the Stealth to a 42-37 victory. Lopez ended the Stealth's regular season as the number one quarterback in passing yards per game with an average of 285 yards. He is ranked number two overall in the arenafootball2 league and led the Stealth to a 5-4 record to conclude the regular season.

Piersey burst onto the scene with the Stealth in the second meeting between the Stealth and the Quad City Steamwheelers. Piersey made three interceptions, broke up 10 passes, and recorded three-and-a-half tackles in his first game with the Stealth. He ended the season with six interceptions in only seven games.

Willie Grissom comes in as a strong candidate for several honors. He filled many different shoes for the Stealth this season. With the departure of Pascal Volz and injury to Corey McCoy, Grissom was called upon to fill in at the Offensive Specialist position. Grissom answered the call and ended the season as the Stealth's top receiver with 84 receptions for 979 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also moved past 2000 yards receiving in his two-year career.

Another member of the Stealth who had to shift positions was Will Sullivan, who began the season as a Defensive Specialist. The Wichita Southeast High School product made his hometown proud as he returned to his roots at the Wide Receiver position midway through the season. Sullivan holds the record for single season receptions in the Wichita High School City League, and proved he remembered how to play both offense and defense. He ended the season with 10 receptions for 150 yards and five touchdowns.

It's only fitting that two brothers are nominated together. Both Bruce and Bryan Henderson are nominees for the 2002 All-af2 team. Bruce was the Stealth's top rusher with 43 carries for 139 yards and eight touchdowns. He set the Stealth all-time single game record for rushing yards with 33 against the Louisville Fire, and rushing attempts with eight against the San Diego Riptide. His brother Bryan was a terror on defense, shattering the Stealth all-time single season sack record with 16. Bryan finished the season second in the league in sacks and third in the league with four forced fumbles.

All-af2 selections are made by the coaches of arenafootball2, and will be tabulated on Tuesday, July 30th. The Wichita Stealth's next game will be in the first round of the 2002 af2 playoffs against the Peoria Pirates, August 3rd, in Peoria, Illinois.



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