OurSports Central announces AFL Players of the Week
by Fran Stuchbury
July 1, 2008 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
New York Dragons quarterback Aaron Garcia, Cleveland Gladiators defensive back Brandon Hefflin and Grand Rapids Rampage kicker Brian Gowins were named the OurSports Central Arena Football League Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Week, respectively, for the Wild Card week of the AFL season.
Garcia completed 28 of 39 throws (72%) for 330 yards and nine touchdowns in the Dragons' 77-63 upset victory over the Dallas Desperados.
Hefflin contributed two interceptions, one fumble recovery and seven tackles in the Gladiators' 69-66 victory over the Orlando Predators.
Gowins finished 6-6 on extra points, 2-2 on field goals (22 and 19 yards) and three touchbacks on kickoffs in the Rampage's 48-41 victory over the Arizona Rattlers.
Other players considered for Offensive honors were Cleveland QB Raymond Philyaw, Cleveland WR Robert Redd and Grand Rapids QB James MacPherson.
Others considered for Defensive award were Grand Rapids DB Roc Haith, New York DB John Walker, and Colorado DL John Syptak.
Other players considered for Special Team honors included New York's Steve Azar (11-11 on extra points, two successful onside kicks and three touchbacks on kickoffs), Orlando's T.T. Toliver (five returns for 134 yards, including one returned 57 yards for a touchdown), and Arizona's Trandon Harvey (five returns for 126 yards, including one returned 56 yards for a touchdown.)
Previous winners:
Week One - Philadelphia's Tony Graziani (offensive), Los Angeles' Damen Wheeler (defensive) Philadelphia's Mike Brown (special teams)
Week Two - New Orleans Danny Wimprine (offensive) Philadelphia's Mike Brown (defensive) Tampa Bay's Sedrick Robinson (special teams)
Week Three - Georgia's Troy Bergeron (offensive), New Orleans Michale Spicer (defensive), San Jose's A.J. Haglund (special teams)
Week Four - Grand Rapids James MacPherson (offensive), New Orleans Calvin Spears (defensive), Wendall Williams (special teams)
Week Five - Philadelphia's Matt D'Orazio (offensive), Chicago's John Moyer (defensive), Grand Rapids Chris Martin (special teams)
Week Six - Colorado's John Dutton (offensive), Georgia's Cam Newton (defensive), Cleveland's Jason Ball (special teams)
Week Seven - Dallas Will Pettis (offensive), Dallas Colston Weatherington (defensive), Philadelphia's Mike Brown (special teams)
Week Eight -Cleveland's Raymond Philyaw (offensive), New Orleans Norman LeJeune (defensive), Kansas City's Will Holder (special teams)
Week Nine -Philadelphia's Matt D'Orazio (offensive), Philadelphia's Eddie Moten (defensive), San Jose's Rodney Wright (special teams)
Week Ten - Cleveland's Marlion Jackson (offensive), Orlando's Kenny McEntyre (defensive), Orlando âs John Vaughn (special teams)
Week Eleven - San Jose's Mark Grieb (offensive), Tampa Bay's Traco Rachal (defensive), Georgia's Carlos Martinez (special teams)
Week Twelve - Georgia's Tiger Jones (offensive), Chicago's Dennison Robinson (defensive), Orlando's Todd France (special teams)
Week Thirteen - Georgia's Chris Greisen (offensive), Tampa Bay's Tom Briggs (defensive), Utah's Steve Videtich (special teams)
Week Fourteen - Dallas's Will Pettis (offensive), San Jose's Steve Watson (defensive), New Orleans's Jonathan Ruffin (special teams)
Week Fifteen - Grand Rapids James MacPherson (offensive), Terrance Joseph (defensive), Grand Rapids Brian Gowins (special teams)
Week Sixteen - San Jose's Cleannord Saintil (offensive), Colorado's Rashad Floyd (defensive), Grand Rapids Chris Martin (special teams)
Week Seventeen - San Jose's Mark Grieb (offensive), Philadelphia's Eddie Moten (defensive), Grand Rapids Brian Gowins (special teams)
The OurSports Central Arena Football League Players of the Week are chosen by the staff of OurSports Central and AFL writers Fran Stuchbury and John Hahn.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from July 1, 2008
- SaberCats kicker garners honor - San Jose SaberCats
- OurSports Central announces AFL Players of the Week - OSC Original by Fran Stuchbury
- Dragons Get Offensive Player and Ironman of the Week - New York Dragons
- San Jose's A.J. Haglund Named Kicker of the Year - AFL I
- Saturn Helps Habitat for Humanity Revitalize Detroit Neighborhood - Philadelphia Soul
- Gladiators DB Brandon Hefflin Earns ADT Defensive Player of the Week Honors - Cleveland Gladiators
- New York's Garcia, Cleveland's Hefflin and New York's Price Earn Wild Card Week Honors - AFL I
- Soul Playoff Daily - Philadelphia Soul
- Chavez, Davila and Morgan Earn Week 14 Honors - AFL I
- Storm Sign Four - Tampa Bay Storm
- Divisional Round Playoff Dates, Times & Networks - AFL I
- Divisional Round Playoff Dates, Times & Networks - AFL I
- Rush To Host Grand Rapids Sunday - Chicago Rush
- Goal-Line Stand Gives Rampage 48-41 Playoff Win over Arizona - Grand Rapids Rampage
- Rattlers Fall To Grand Rapids - Arizona Rattlers
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
