Raterink, Vasquez and Chambers Earn Week 13 Honors
June 5, 2012 - Arena Football League (AFL) News Release
CHICAGO - Iowa QB J.J. RATERINK has been awarded the Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while Milwaukee DL LUIS VASQUEZ has been named the Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and Kansas City WR JACKIE CHAMBERS has been named JLS Ironman of the Week for Week 13 of the 2012 AFL season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week, Spalding Highlight of the Week, and the AFL Playmaker of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week award winner for Week 13 is Iowa WR MARCO THOMAS, while the AFL Playmaker of the week is Philadelphia FB DERRICK ROSS. The Spalding Highlight of the week is Chicago QB RUSS MICHNA.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Raterink (6-2, 210, Wyoming) completed 31-of-37 passes for 371 yards and nine touchdowns in Iowa's 70-62 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators in Week 13, finishing with a completion percentage of 83.8 and a QB Rating of 148.03. All figures represent season-highs. In addition, he accounted for a 10th touchdown on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter. Raterink was also interception-free in the game and has thrown just six interceptions in the 2012 season, a League-low among starting quarterbacks.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Vasquez (6-3, 270, Arizona State) recovered two fumbles for touchdowns in Milwaukee's 81-68 victory over the San Jose SaberCats in Week 13. The defensive lineman began the game with a recovery off the net on the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, he disrupted a San Jose run, scooping up the ball and running it back 43 yards for a score. Vasquez shares the League lead for fumbles recovered with Chicago Rush LB Kelvin Morris. Both have four recoveries this season.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK
Chambers (5-10, 190, Lane College) had a total of 69 receiving yards and one touchdown in the team's matchup against the Utah Blaze, but also racked up 80 kick return yards and 1.5 tackles in Week 13. Chambers has scored in three of the last four games.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Thomas (6-0,190, Western Illinois) made an exceptional touchdown catch in the Barnstormers matchup against the Gladiators in Week 13. His momentum took him over the boards, but Thomas maintained possession for six points. Thomas has caught a touchdown pass in six consecutive games. This is the second time this season Thomas has earned Cutters Catch of the Week honors. He won the award in Week 1 for his game-winning overtime grab against Spokane. Thomas will receive a Cutters shirt and hat for his efforts.
AFL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Ross (6-0, 240, Tarleton) set a franchise single-game record with 84 rushing yards - the League's best this season - in the team's 79-48 victory over the Orlando Predators in Week 13. This is the third time he has broken 60 rushing yards in a game and the seventh time he has scored more than two rushing touchdowns in a game this season. He also became the 10th player in AFL history to reach 1,000 rushing yards for his career.
SPALDING HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Michna (6-3, 220, Western Illinois) was awarded the Spalding Highlight of the Week honor for breaking the Rush single-game franchise record for passing touchdowns with nine against Spokane in Week 13. Michna found Jared Perry in the end zone for the record-breaking score. Michna also set the franchise record for completions in a game with 32 and recorded the first 400-yard game of his career.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: San Jose's Mark Grieb, New Orleans' Josh Bush, Philadelphia's Derrick Ross, Jacksonville's Bobby Sewall, Milwaukee's Andrae Thurman, Utah's Shaun Kauleinamoku, and Chicago's Jared Perry.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Iowa's Cameron McGlenn, New Orleans Demarcus Robinson, Philadelphia's Dustin Barno, Jacksonville's LaRoche Jackson, Kansas City's J.C. Neal and Chicago's Semaj Moody.
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included: Iowa's Marco Thomas, New Orleans' Josh Bush, Jacksonville's Terrance Smith, San Jose's Ruschard Dodd-Masters 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 Philadelphia FB Derrick Ross, Milwaukee QB Gino Guidugli and Utah QB Tommy Grady. Fans will have 24 hours to vote beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6. The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 7.
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Arena Football League Stories from June 5, 2012
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- Command WR Earns JLS Ironman of the Week - Kansas City Command
- Harrell Named AFL's #2 Best All-Time Receiver - Milwaukee Mustangs
- Soul's Derrick Ross Earns Weekly League Award - Philadelphia Soul
- Raterink, Vasquez and Chambers Earn Week 13 Honors - AFL
- Gladiators Defensive End Almondo Sewell Headed to CFL - Cleveland Gladiators
- Philadelphia Soul to Takeover South Jersey - Philadelphia Soul
- Soul's Derrick Ross Rushing His Way to MVP Honors - Philadelphia Soul
- Shock Seek Big Win In Preparation For June Schedule - Spokane Shock
- Georgia Force Prepares for Final Six Game Push - Georgia Force
- Predators Travel to San Jose to Take on the SaberCats - Orlando Predators
- Blaze Square Off Against Rush in Playoff-Driven Battle - Utah Blaze
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