McKinney, Hunt and Gilliam earn week two honors
Published on April 8, 2008 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO - Florida wide receiver/linebacker CHRIS MCKINNEY, Oklahoma City wide receiver/defensive back AL HUNT and Spokane defensive back SERGIO GILLIAM have been named the U.S. Army Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 2 of the 2008 season. 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 Week 2 goes to Amarillo fullback/linebacker WALLACE HOUSE.
U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
McKinney (6-2, 215, Guilford College), in his fifth af2 season, showcased his all-around talents for the Firecats in their convincing, 56-14, road win on Sunday at Texas. The veteran playmaker's notable two-way play included three total touchdowns on offense, two receiving and one rushing. McKinney finished with four catches for 52 yards. On defense, the Guilford College alum was also impressive with two total tackles, one sack and two pass breakups. This is the second Ironman of the Week award of McKinney's career (Week 3 - 2007) and the third weekly league honor of his career. He earned the Cutters Catch of the Week for Week 10 of 2006.
SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hunt (5-11, 205, Northwestern Okla. State), in his sixth af2 season, led Oklahoma City to
a 57-42 victory over Arkansas in the Yard Dawgz' home opener on Saturday. The veteran from Northwestern Oklahoma State had an impressive individual showing with six total touchdowns against the Twisters. Hunt scored four times in the first half (3 receiving, 1 rushing) and had two kick returns for touchdowns in the fourth quarter for the Yard Dawgz. He receiving totals included a team-high seven catches for 82 yards. This is the first Offensive Player of the Week honor of Hunt's career. He has earned five straight All-af2 selections, the most of any current league athlete. He earned First Team accolades in 2007 and in 2004 while earning All-af2 Second Team recognition in 2003 (Tulsa), 2005 and 2006.
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Gilliam (6-2, 195, Clemson), an af2 rookie, was a menace on defense for the second straight week to help lead Spokane to a 70-12 victory over Stockton in the Shock's home opener on Saturday. Gilliam tied a team record with three interceptions for the second consecutive week, one of which he returned 23 yards for a touchdown. The former Clemson standout also tallied four tackles, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery. This is Gilliam's second ADT Defensive Player of the Week honor in as many weeks. He currently leads the league with six interceptions.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Amarillo fullback/linebacker Wallace House (6-0, 290, Fordham), who is entering his second season in the af2, is the Week 2 recipient of the Cutters Catch of the Week Award, a weekly honor that emerged in 2006 to highlight the player who makes the best catch of the week. House's catch came on a botched extra point try in the fourth quarter of Saturday's home contest against Central Valley. After House scored on a three-yard run to put the Dusters ahead by nine points (62-53) with four minutes to play, Amarillo lined up for the extra point try. A bad snap, however, forced kicker Jacob Felton to become a quarterback. With pressure coming, Felton hailed a pray into the end zone that was answered by House. House snatched the pass after it caromed off two Coyote defenders. In addition to his two-point conversion catch, the former Fordham standout had two touchdown runs to help Amarillo win its first game of the season, 71-60.
U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included:
Amarillo's Craig Fulton, Bossier-Shreveport's Shane O'Neal, Louisville's Demetrius Forney, Austin's Mel Long, Mahoning Valley's John Tackmann, Tulsa's Jeff Hughley, Oklahoma City's Donta Bright, Tennessee Valley's Gary Elliott, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's William "TuTu" Ferguson and Spokane's Katon Bethay.
Schutt Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:
Amarillo's Jim Lukowiak, Bossier-Shreveport's Gary Cooper, Louisville's Matt Bassuener, Lubbock's Robert Kent, Manchester's Justin Rummell, Mahoning Valley's DeMarcus Mathes, Tulsa's Justin Allgood, Green Bay's Scott Burnoski and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Rod Rutherford, Florida's Chris Wallace and Spokane's Raul Vijil.
ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:
Amarillo's Tarik Thomas, Bossier-Shreveport's Chris Ibezim, South Georgia's Pierre Lee, Lubbock's Jerome Braziel, Mahoning Valley's Kellen Driscoll, Tulsa, Jermaine Hope, Oklahoma City's Andre Burns, Tennessee Valley's Demetrius Derico, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Micheaux Robinson and Florida's Carlos Campbell.
arenafootball2 Stories from April 8, 2008
- Dusters receive league recognition - Amarillo Venom
- Hunt Named Schutt Offensive Player of the Week - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Gilliam Defensive Player of the Week - Spokane Shock
- McKinney, Hunt and Gilliam earn week two honors - af2
- Dusters Faith & Family Night this Saturday - Amarillo Venom
- Bigby to Serve as Honorary Captain on Friday - Green Bay Blizzard
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