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AFL I Arena Football League (1987-2008)

Grand Rapids' MacPherson, Tampa Bay's Rachal And Philadelphia's Smith Earn Week 15 Honors

June 10, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I) News Release


NEW YORK - Grand Rapids Rampage QB JAMES MACPHERSON, Tampa Bay Storm DB TRACO RACHAL and Philadelphia Soul FB/LB CLIFTON SMITH have been named Offensive Player, ADT Defensive Player, and Ironman of the Week, respectively, for Week 15 of the 2008 season.

OFFENSIVE: MacPherson (6-2, 200, Wake Forest) completed 35-of-43 passes for a Week 15-high 388 yards and accounted for a League-best 11 touchdowns (10 - passing, 1 - rushing) as the Grand Rapids Rampage (4-10) defeated the Colorado Crush (4-10), 84-65, on Saturday. MacPherson recorded a passer rating of 133.8 while leading the Rampage offense on scoring drives on 13 of the teams' 15 possessions, including nine consecutive. The Rampage travel to Nationwide Arena to face the Columbus Destroyers (3-11) on Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. ET (CSS - Live).

ADT DEFENSIVE: Rachal (6-2, 200, Texas A&M - Commerce) registered 10.5 tackles, one fumble recovery and one interception as the Tampa Bay Storm (7-7) defeated the Orlando Predators (8-7), 71-61, on Saturday. On the first play of the second-half, Rachal recovered a fumble by WR DEANDREW RUBIN on Orlando's 22-yard line. Tampa Bay scored on the ensuing play, extending its lead to 16 points. On first-and-goal from the Storm 13-yard line with 48 seconds remaining and Tampa Bay leading by 10, Rachal intercepted Predators QB SHANE STAFFORD in the end zone to seal the victory. The Storm travel to HP Pavilion to face the San Jose SaberCats (9-5) on Saturday, June 14 at 10:30 p.m. ET (Catch 47 - SDD at 12 p.m. ET, CSS - SDD at 12 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area - NDD at 9 a.m. PT).

IRONMAN: Smith (6-3, 253, Syracuse) registered five rushes for nine yards and one touchdown with two tackles and a key fumble recovery on special teams as the Philadelphia Soul (11-3) defeated the Dallas Desperados (11-3), 71-64, on Saturday. Smith recorded the Soul's second rushing touchdown of the game with 5:25 remaining in the game to give Philadelphia its second lead of the half at 63-57. With 50 seconds remaining and the Soul leading 71-64, Smith recovered a fumble by Dallas FB JOSH WHITE on the Desperados 20-yard line during the kickoff, which allowed Philadelphia to retain possession and secure the victory. The Soul welcomes the Cleveland Gladiators (8-6) to the Wachovia Spectrum on Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. ET (FSN Ohio - Live, CSN Philadelphia - Live).

Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona WR Siaha Burley, Cleveland QB Raymond Philyaw and WR Otis Amey, Georgia QB Chris Greisen and WR Troy Bergeron, Grand Rapids WR Chris Johnson, WR Cole Magner and WR Kenny Higgins, New York QB Aaron Garcia and WR Kevin Swayne, Philadelphia QB Matt D'Orazio and WR Chris Jackson, Tampa Bay WR Hank Edwards.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona DB Isaiah Trufant and DB Terrance Joseph, Cleveland DB Brandon Hefflin, Georgia DB JoJo Polk, Philadelphia DB Eddie Moten and Utah LB Kelvin Morris.

Ironman of the Week candidates included: Arizona WR/DB Wendall Gaines, Cleveland OL/DL Joe Minucci, Grand Rapids WR/DB Jermaine Lewis and OL/DL Donovan Arp, Tampa Bay WR/LB Lawrence Samuels, FB/LB Torrance Marshall and OL/DL Tom Briggs, Utah FB/LB Rodney Filer.



Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from June 10, 2008


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