Purify, Sanders and Johnson Earn Week 11 Honors
Published on May 22, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Arizona WR MAURICE PURIFY has been awarded the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week award, while Spokane DB TERRANCE SANDERS has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Georgia WR CJ JOHNSON has been named JLS Ironman of the Week for Week 11 of the 2012 AFL season. In addition to these three awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week, AFL Playmaker of the Week and Spalding Highlight of the Week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 11 is DB JEREMY KELLEM of the New Orleans VooDoo. Arizona QB NICK DAVILA has been awarded the AFL Playmaker of the Week award, while the Spalding Highlight of the Week award winner is Jacksonville FB RENDRICK TAYLOR.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Purify (6-3, 225, Nebraska) tied the single-game franchise record for receiving touchdowns and points in Week 11. Purify totaled ten catches for 196 yards and seven touchdowns, making him responsible for 42 of the Rattlers' 86 points against the Utah Blaze.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sanders (5-10, 180, Eastern Illinois) earned Riddell Defensive Player of the Week honors for a second week in a row after intercepting a franchise-record three interceptions in Week 11. It was the third time in four weeks Sanders had recorded at least two interceptions in a game. He also became the franchise's single-season record holder for interceptions, collecting his eighth pick of the year in the team's 65-47 victory over Philadelphia.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Johnson (5-10, 180, Tennessee-Chattanooga) shined as a receiver and return man in Week 11, hauling in 11 balls for 171 yards and two scores on offense, including a 49-yard touchdown reception, while totaling 201 return yards and a 55-yard kickoff return touchdown on special teams. Johnson will receive a timepiece crafted by JLS for his efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Kellem (5-9, 195, Middle Tennessee State) made an improbable interception in the fourth quarter to preserve New Orleans' 68-61 victory over the Orlando Predators in Week 11. Chris Leak's pass bounced off players and the wall before Kellem was able to trap the ball between his legs and obtain control without the ball touching the ground. It was Kellem's second interception of the night and seventh of the season, one pick shy of the VooDoo's single-season franchise record. Kellem will receive a Cutters hat and shirt for his efforts.
AFL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Davila (6-4, 220, Cincinnati) tied the AFL record for passing touchdowns in a single game with 11 in the team's 86-70 victory over the Utah Blaze. Davila became just the fourth quarterback in AFL history to reach the milestone and the second in the last three weeks. His 11 touchdowns represent a single-game franchise record and his 372 passing yards is a season-high.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Taylor (6-2, 260, Clemson) rumbled for a 31-yard touchdown run to open the second quarter of Jacksonville's 55-19 victory over Iowa. Taylor became the first player in Sharks' franchise history to rush for 50 yards in a single game.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Nick Davila, Cleveland's John Dutton, Jacksonville's Bernard Morris, Kansas City's Matt Gutierrez, Milwaukee's Gino Guidugli, Orlando's T.T. Toliver, San Antonio's Jomo Wilson and Spokane's Adron Tennell.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Marquis Floyd, Clevelands, Levy Brown, Jacksonville's Micheaux Robinson, Kansas City's Bradly Chavez, New Orleans' Jeremy Kellem and San Antonio's Ken Fontenette.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Arizona's Arkeith Brown, Cleveland's Jeramie Richardson, Jacksonville's Jason Holman, Milwaukee's Kelvin Rodgers, New Orleans' Quorey Payne, Pittsburgh's PJ Berry, San Antonio's Burl Toler and Spokane's Terrance Sanders.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the National Guard MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Arizona QB Nick Davila, Kansas City QB Matt Gutierrez and New Orleans QB Kurt Rocco. Fans will have 24 hours to vote beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 23. The winner will be announced on Thursday, May 24.
Arena Football League Stories from May 22, 2012
- Barnstormers Shake Things up on Offensive Line - Iowa Barnstormers
- Week 12 AFL Match-Up - Shock at Barnstormers - Spokane Shock
- Kellem's Interception Named Cutters Catch of the Week - New Orleans VooDoo
- Sharks' Taylor Earns Spalding Highlight of the Week - Jacksonville Sharks
- VooDoo Dolls Visit Children's Hospital On Tuesday Afternoon - New Orleans VooDoo
- Purify, Sanders and Johnson Earn Week 11 Honors - AFL
- Mustangs 25th Anniversary Mini Football Giveaway - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Two Attack Dancers Competing for Dream Team Spot - Jacksonville Sharks
- Predators Host Defending ArenaBowl Champion Jacksonville Sharks - Orlando Predators
- Greg Ellingson Signs with Tampa Bay Buccaneers - New Orleans VooDoo
- Fat Joe to Perform at Soul Game - Philadelphia Soul
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