Hippeard, Taylor and Taylor Earn Weekly Honors
Published on April 29, 2015 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Orlando Predators quarterback Randy Hippeard has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Spokane Shock nose guard Terrance Taylor has been awarded Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Cleveland Gladiators wide receiver Collin Taylor has been awarded J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 5 of the 2015 Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. The Cutters Catch of the Week has been awarded to LA KISS wide receiver Donovan Morgan, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to Orlando Predators wide receiver Greg Carr.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hippeard (6-3, 205, Virginia-Wise) earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second consecutive week after completing 84 percent of his passes for 397 yards and six touchdowns before going down with an injury in Orlando's 55-56 overtime loss to the Spokane Shock in Week 5. The AFL's most accurate passer so far in 2015, Hippeard leads the League with a 75.3 completion percentage and 138.3 quarterback rating.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Taylor (6-0, 320, Michigan) was all over the field in Spokane's 56-55 overtime victory against the Orlando Predators in Week 5. The former Indianapolis Colts draft pick logged 4.5 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles, and scored on a fumble recovery in the contest. It was the fifth multi-sack game of his AFL career.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Taylor (6-1, 200, Indiana) led the Gladiators with 11 receptions for 111 yards and three touchdowns in the team's 62-54 victory over the Tampa Bay Storm in Week 5. Cleveland's primary offensive weapon over the last two weeks also made his presence felt on the other side of the ball, returning an interception for a touchdown in spot duty on defense.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Morgan (6-3, 225, Louisiana-Lafayette) made jaws drop in the Honda Center by using full extension and just one hand to reel in a pass thrown behind him in LA's 30-68 loss to the Arizona Rattlers in Week 5. The "Captain" proceeded to jet past Arizona defenders for a 43-yard touchdown. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of the catch.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Carr (6-6, 230, Florida State) made a leaping one-handed catch on third down to keep the Orlando drive alive in the third quarter of the Predators' 55-56 loss to the Spokane Shock in Week 6. Last year's AFL Rookie of the Year finished the contest with six receptions for 46 yards and a touchdown, his third straight game with at least one touchdown grab.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Nick Davila, Cleveland's Shane Austin, Jacksonville's Tommy Grady, Philadelphia's Dan Raudabaugh, and San Jose's D.J. Stephens.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Anttaj Hawthorne, Jacksonville's Joe Sykes, Philadelphia's Bryan Robinson, San Jose's Ken Fontenette, Spokane's James Ruffin, and Tampa Bay's Al Phillips.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Rod Windsor, Jacksonville's Alvin Ray Jackson, Orlando's Kendal Thompkins, Philadelphia's Tommy Taggart, and San Jose's D.J. Stephens.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Arizona Rattlers nose guard Anttaj Hawthorne, Jacksonville Sharks defensive end Joe Sykes and Spokane Shock nose guard Terrance Taylor. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, April 29. The winner will be announced on Thursday, April 30.
Arena Football League Stories from April 29, 2015
- Sharks Add Defensive Back Greg Reid - Jacksonville Sharks
- Sons of Thunder Documentary Series to be Available for Streaming Via Ora.TV - Portland Thunder
- Jacksonville makes trip to face Tampa Bay at 7:30 on Saturday - Jacksonville Sharks
- Hippeard, Taylor and Taylor Earn Weekly Honors - AFL
- Soul Hold Town Takeover in Swedesboro May 2 - Philadelphia Soul
- Predators Aquire LB Matangi Tonga, Add Former NFL DB Emanuel Cook - Orlando Predators
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