PIFL Names Richmond Raiders DB Chris Johnson Defensive Player of the Week
March 27, 2012 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Richmond Raiders News Release
KNOXVILLE, TN (March 27, 2012) - In what started out as a seesaw battle between two dynamic offenses, DB Chris Johnson (5'11" 185, Erie C.C.) helped lead a Raiders defense that collected four consecutive turnovers in the fourth quarter alone and a total of eight for the game en route to a 70-42 victory over the Knoxville Nighthawks. With the Raiders up by 13, Johnson got the fourth-quarter turnover shindig started by intercepting a Tony Colston pass and returning 30 yards for the third of four touchdowns by the defense on the night for the Raiders. Six minutes later, he notched another interception off Colston, also returning it 30 yards, helping set-up a Richmond rushing TD. Johnson also made four tackles along with pass break-ups garnering him the Week Three PIFL Defensive Player of the Week.
Wide receiver Gerald Gales of the Columbus Lions and Albany Panthers kicker Geoff Boyer were named offensive and special teams Players of the Week respectively by the PIFL for Week 3.
Already having established himself as the Lions all-time leading receiver, WR Gerald Gales (5'11 190, West Alabama) and company have come out full throttle to start the season. Already with 23 receptions in three games, Gales is second only to teammate Maurice Dupree for the league lead. In Saturday's 56-43 victory over the Hammers, Gerald hauled in nine receptions for 120 yards and three touchdowns including the go-ahead TD grab that put Columbus up for good late in the 4th quarter helping him earn the Week 3 PIFL Offensive Player of the Week.
Albany's Geoff Boyer (5'10 175, Middle Tennessee St.) is the first player in the PIFL to bring home a second Player of the Week award. In Saturday's 58-55 win over Louisiana, Boyer scored a game-high 16 points nailing 3 of 4 field goal attempts (42, 31, 25), 6 of 7 PAT's, along with one Uno.
The PIFL season resumes this Saturday with all teams facing off against their foes from the previous weekend. "Backlash Weekend" will kick-off when the expansion Knoxville Nighthawks (0-2) host the Richmond Raiders (2-1) in their inaugural home-opener. Louisiana (1-1) will travel to the Albany Civic Center and take on the Panthers (2-0) where they are 1-3 all-time including last season's 69-48 championship defeat. Alabama (0-2) will also be traveling east towards Georgia looking for their first win in the three tries in the Peach State as the Columbus Lions (2-1) hope to keep their two-game winning streak alive.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 27, 2012
- Panthers Annouce Ring Ceremony Saturday, March 31st at 7:30 P.M. - Albany Panthers
- PIFL Names Richmond Raiders DB Chris Johnson Defensive Player of the Week - Richmond Raiders
- PIFL Names Week 3 Players of the Week - PIFL
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