PIFL Names Players of the Week
June 2, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) News Release
NASHVILLE, TN (June 2, 2015) - The Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) is proud to announce the Week 11 Players of the Week.
Offensive Player of the Week: QB Jonathan Bane (Richmond)
For the second time in as many weeks, and third time overall, Richmond Raiders QB Jonathan Bane (6'4 205, Dakota Wesleyan) is the recipient of the Offensive Player of the Week nod. Arguably the hottest team in the league, Richmond extended their current win streak to four by narrowly defeating the Steelhawks this past Friday 35-28. With both teams thick in the playoff hunt, Bane completed 24 of 40 passes for 276 and 4 TD's propelling the Raiders into third place and a half game within the second place Hawks. Next week, in another crucial fight for playoff positioning, the Raiders return home to host the Venom.
Honorable Mentions: WR John Harris (Columbus), WR Robert Holland (Richmond)
Defensive Player of the Week: DB Marvin Ross (Columbus)
With a performance that included creating five turnovers and a combined eight sacks, Columbus DB Marvin Ross (5'11 190, Florida A&M) stood out the most picking up two of those turnovers in the Lions 81-26 dismantling of Erie on Saturday. In a early sign of things to come, on the game's opening drive Ross scooped up a fumble and promptly ran it 45 yards in the other direction scoring the game's opening touchdown. Later on he picked up his second turnover when he intercepted Explosion QB Mason Espinosa returning it 28-yards for the score. Comfortably in first place by 1.5 games, Columbus will have a bye next week before hosting Trenton in the regular season home finale on June 13th .
Honorable Mention: LB Larry Edwards (Columbus), DB Mike McMillian (Trenton)
Special Teams Player of the Week: K Edward Ruhnke (Trenton)
In order to maintain their stay in the playoff hunt, you could say Saturday's game against Alabama was a must win for the Freedom. With the offense struggling, kicker Edward Ruhnke came through in a big way scoring 13 points in Trenton's 49-35 victory over the Hammers earning him the Week 11 Special Teams Player of the Week award. Along with going 5 of 6 in PAT attempts, Ruhnke was perfect 2 of 2 in field goal attempts (27, 26) and wedged in two Uno's giving him a total of seven in just four games. Next Saturday, Trenton will look to keep their playoff hopes alive when they travel to Allentown to take on the Steelhawks.
The 2015 season resumes this Saturday with a triple-header loaded with heavy playoff implications. Losers of two out of their last three, Lehigh Valley will try and regain their early season form when they host the Freedom. Meanwhile, the scorching Raiders return home to host the Venom who over the weekend defeated the Blue Racers in non-PIFL action. Lastly, the Explosion will once again look to pick up their first PIFL win when they host the sliding Alabama Hammers who have now lost five straight.
• Discuss this story on the Professional Indoor Football League message board...
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 2, 2015
- Bane Earns Second Consecutive Player of the Week Honors - Richmond Raiders
- Hawks Look to Bounce Back against Trenton - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Erie Explosion Welcome D-Day Survivors June 6th - Erie Explosion
- PIFL Names Players of the Week - PIFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
