AFL Arena Football League

Forse, Greisen And Swanson Earn Week 1 Honors

Published on April 6, 2010 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release


TULSA - Milwaukee wide receiver/defensive back NATE FORSE, Milwaukee quarterback CHRIS GREISEN and Arizona defensive back RILEY SWANSON have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Riddell Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 1 of 2010, the AFL's first season back after taking a year hiatus. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch of the week, the playmaker of the week, and the highlight of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week Award for Week 1 goes to Iowa wide receiver TODD BLYTHE, while Chicago's wide receiver/defensive back SAMIE PARKER has been named the Playmaker of the Week. The highlight of the week award has gone to Chicago's linebacker DEJUAN ALFONSO.

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Forse (6-4, 220, California PA) made a big impact for the victorious Milwaukee Iron this week, putting in serious effort on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Forse caught 11 passes for 124 yards, racking up three touchdowns in the process. He was the second leading scorer for Milwaukee on the night. While he was not credited for any defensive statistics, Forse still made his presence know. Forse played all but a handfull of plays all game, both offensively and defensively, helping to propel the Iron their first victory of the season.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Greisen (6-3, 220, NW Missouri State) played a nearly flawless game of arena football this weekend, when the Milwaukee Iron defeated last season's arenafootball2 champion Spokane Shock. Griesen threw for 30-of-36 with zero interceptions, approximately an 83% completion rate. He found the reliable hands of three separate recievers throughout the evening, including this week's Ironman winner Nate Forse. The Greisen-led offense exploded for three touchdowns in the last 90 seconds before halftime, essentially dooming the Shock's comeback chances. His nine touchdown passes topped the league for the week, as did his 144.1 quarterback rating.

RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Swanson (6-0, 185, Wake Forest) came out swinging this weekend when two storied AFL programs took the turf on Saturday. Swanson tallied three unassisted tackles versus the Cleveland Gladiators, but it was his interception that made him this week's defensive star. After Cleveland took a convincing 28-7 lead in the second quarter, Swanson intercepted a John Dutton pass and ran it back for a touchdown. It was the first step towards an Arizona comeback. The Rattlers went on to win the game 61-56.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Iowa WR Todd Blythe (6-5, 214, Iowa State) made this week's catch of the week, despite Iowa's eventual loss to Chicago. Blythe, an AFL rookie, made four catches for 40 yards and two touchdowns in the Barnstormers' season opener. One of these catches was a showstopper-an acrobatic catch over the boards from QB Ryan Vena. Blythe went on to score a total of 14 points, including a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter to being the Barnstormers within 10-their closest point margin of the second half.

NIFTY PLAYMAKER OF THE GAME

Parker (5-11, 180, Oregon) helped to lead the charge of the Chicago Rush this past weekend, bringing them to a 61-43 victory over the Iowa Barnstormers. Parker led the Rush in catches with six, carrying the ball 104 yards total and into the endzone twice. A QB Russ Michna-to-Samie Parker connection in the second quarter helped to change the tide of the game. Iowa was inching closer to taking the lead after a score brought them within nine of Chicago. Michna found Parker for a 42-yard catch for score to make it 31-15 Chicago with a little more than three minutes left in the half.

SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE GAME

Alfonso (6-0, 205, Indiana State) was expected to do big things this season, but maybe not as quickly as he did. Alfonso started off the season for the Chicago Rush right, intercepting Iowa QB Brian Villanueva's first pass of the game and season. He ran it back for a Chicago touchdown, giving them an early 7-0 lead-- a lead Chicago wouldn't give up the entire night. He went on to force a fumble on the next play as well, which eventually was converted into a touchdown pass. Alfonso was named to the First Team All-Arena in 2007 and 2008.

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included:

Iowa's Jason Simpson, Bossier's Willis Marshall, Jacksonville's Jason Perry, Tulsa's Jeff Hughley and Arizona's Terrance Sanders.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Chicago's Russ Michna, Bossier's PJ Berry, Jacksonville's Aaron Garcia, Tulsa's Donovan Morgan and Cleveland's Ben Nelson.

Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Chicago's DeJuan Alfonso, Milwaukee's Kevin McCullough, Bossier's Henry Bryant, Oklahoma City's David Hyland and Tulsa's Jamar Ransom.

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