Francis Named af2 ADT Defensive Player of the Week
July 2, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â All it took was a change to a specialty position two weeks ago to turn Quad City Steamwheelers now turned DS Asa Francis into one of the games most prolific players.
Three weeks ago in Francis' debut at the DS position, from his usual FB/LB position, against the Louisville Fire, Francis came away with seven tackles, two sacks, a ½ tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. After a bye week, the âWheelers and Francis returned to action to take on the Hawaiian Islanders and the Islanders offensive linemen had no idea what was coming.
Francis, who lines up at defensive end, bull rushed Islanders QB Mike Tillis, getting to the quarterback five times, four of those going for a sack, the other a tackle for a loss. Francis finished the game with 7.5 tackles and two forced fumbles to go along with the sacks and tackle for a loss.
The tackle for a loss is under review by the league as it is in question whether QB Mike Tillis was attempting to run or if he was dropping back to pass. If it is ruled that Tillis was dropping back to pass and Francis is awarded a sack, bringing his total to five, which would be an af2 record. The current record for sacks in a game is 4.5 held by four players.
The performance caught the eye of the Islanders media who were covering the game, as he was voted ADT Defensive Player of the Game. This is the second consecutive game that Francis has been named to the award.
Then on Tuesday early evening, for the fifth time this season, a Steamwheelers player earned one of the three weekly league honors. Francis was named the af2's ADT Defensive Player of the Week.
Steamwheelers OS Ira Gooch received the honor twice, in back-to-back weeks, for Offensive Player of the Week in Weeks 7 and 8 and Jeff Hewitt also won a league award twice. He was named Offensive Player of the Week in Week 3 and won ADT Defensive Player of the Week in Week 10.
The Steamwheelers who just returned from Honolulu begin preparation for the Green Bay Blizzard today, practicing from 5-7 p.m. at The MARK of the Quad Cities. The âWheelers will take on the Blizzard in Green Bay, Wis. on Saturday at the Resch Center at 7:30 p.m. Fans looking to make the trip can visit www.steamwheelerfans.com for more information.
The Steamwheelers will then return home for their last two regular season home games to take on the San Diego Riptide on the 12th and the Tennessee Valley Vipers on the 19th.
Good seats are still available and can be purchased at The MARK box office or through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com or by calling 563.326.1111.
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