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Hughley, Vena, Cason Earn Second Round Honors

August 15, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Tulsa wide receiver/defensive back JEFF HUGHLEY, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton quarterback RYAN VENA and Green Bay defensive back STEPHEN CASON have been named the U.S. Army Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for the Second Round of the 2007 ArenaCup Playoffs. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week Award for the second round goes to Bossier-Shreveport wide receiver/linebacker MARC BACOTE.

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Hughley (5-8, 165, Averett), in his first af2 season, had an impressive all-around effort for Tulsa in the team's 65-27 second round playoff victory against South Georgia. The rookie from Averett made his presence felt on offense with nine catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Hughley was also a factor on special teams with 51 kick return yards for a total of 167 all-purpose yards. He also made an impact on kick coverage by recording a crucial net recovery late in the third quarter. The recovery led to a Tulsa score two plays later to give the team a 14-point lead, 42-28, less than a minute into the final quarter of play. This is the second Ironman of the Week Award of Hughley's career and his third league honor in as many weeks. He was named the Schutt Offensive Player of the Week last week and earned his first Ironman of the Week honor for his play in Week 18. Offensively, Hughley was the Talons' top overall performer in 2007, leading the squad in scoring (198 points), total touchdowns (33 - 26 receiving, 3 rushing, 3 kick return, 1 INT return), receptions (84), receiving yards (1,069), receiving TDs (26), kick return touchdowns (3 - T1st in af2), kick return yards (1,363 - 4th in af2) and all-purpose yards (2,515 - 6th in af2). Hughley has also contributed on defense with 20.5 total tackles and one interception return for a score.

SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Vena (6-0, 220, Colgate) continued his stellar play in 2007 with another strong showing in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's 70-53 second round playoff win Saturday against Central Valley. The former Colgate standout, now in his fourth af2 season, completed 31-of-48 passes for an af2 postseason record 404 yards with nine touchdowns and just one interception in the victory. He also rushed for 23 yards on six carries with one touchdown. Vena is no stranger to this honor. This is the fourth time he's earned this award in 2007 (also in Weeks 4, 12, 13). It's also the seventh time overall that Vena has been named Offensive Player of the Week in his af2 career. He was honored once in 2006 (Week 5) and twice in 2003 (Week 10, Week 15). Vena, who has the Pioneers just one win away from a berth in the ArenaCup, is in the midst of maybe his finest professional season ever. He finished the regular season among the league's elite passers in passer rating (1st-124.2), completion percentage (2nd-66.9), total touchdowns (2nd-108; 92 passing, 16 rushing), touchdown passes (T2nd-92) and passing yards (4th-4,241).

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Cason (5-11, 210, William & Mary) was an impact player on defense for Green Bay in the team's 37-27 second round home playoff win against Louisville. The rookie from William & Mary was a major factor in the defensive backfield with a game-high 10.5 tackles. Cason was especially stingy in the second half, stopping two consecutive Fire drives with interceptions. This is the first Defensive Player of the Week Award of Cason's career. He finished the regular season ranked fourth in the league in tackles with 113 and was second on the squad in interceptions (6) and pass breakups (17).

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Bacote (6-5, 218, James Madison), who is in his fifth af2 campaign, earned the Cutters Catch of the Week Award, an honor that emerged last year to highlight the player who makes the best catch of the week. Bacote's catch was a leaping touchdown grab on a fade pass from nine yards out early in the fourth quarter of the Battle Wings' 50-45 second round playoff victory over No. 1 seed Rio Grande Valley. In addition to his scoring reception, Bacote also had one tackle for loss on defense. The veteran two-way player from James Madison was one of the Bossier-Shreveport's top defensive performers in 2007, tallying 35.5 total tackles, two interceptions (one return TD) and two fumble recoveries (one return TD). He also played a valuable part on the offensive side with 17 catches for 133 yards and six scores.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included:

Green Bay's Nathan Hardwick, Rio Grande Valley's Travis McAlpine and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Larry Kendrick.

Schutt Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Green Bay's Zeke Dixon, Rio Grande Valley's George Williams and Tulsa's Odie Armstrong.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Bossier-Shreveport's Kendrick Walker, Tulsa's Delenell Reid and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Chris Royal.



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