Ross, Jones Named to All-Arena Team
Published on August 2, 2012 under Arena Football League (AFL)
Philadelphia Soul News Release
PHILADELPHIA (August 2, 2012) - The Arena Football League announced the offensive players named to the All-Arena team. Philadelphia Soul FB Derrick Ross (6-0, 240, Tarleton) was named to the First Team All-Arena and WR Tiger Jones (5-11, 195, Louisville) was named to the Second Team All-Arena.
"I'm very happy for Derrick and Tiger," said Soul head coach Doug Plank. "They are very deserving of the honor. With the highest-scoring offense in League history, the most rushing yards in League history and the least amount of sacks given up this season, I expected more guys to be given that recognition of accomplishment, but we're still happy for Derrick and Tiger."
A leading candidate for National Guard MVP of the Year and Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year, Ross has been a force throughout the entire season by recording 146 carries for 645 yards and 32 touchdowns - all of which are Soul single-season records. The fullback broke his own single-season record for yards in a season (622) with 645 in 2012. His 32 rushing touchdowns make him the first player in League history to rush for over 30 touchdowns in a single-season twice (39 with Dallas in 2011).
His 84 yards against the Orlando Predators in Week 13 was a franchise single-game record, as were his 21 carries. Ross has also added 13 receptions for 187 yards and five touchdowns in the air. Ross earned National Guard MVP of the Game honors four times, Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game twice, AFL Playmaker of the Game once, while being named the League's MVP of the Week twice.
Before joining the Philadelphia Eagles for training camp, Jones caught 133 passes for 2,010 yards and 47 touchdowns. Tiger finished No. 1 in Soul single-season history for reception yards, even though he only played 16 games this season. He currently sits at No. 2 in the AFL for receiving yards (2,010) and receiving yards per game (125.6) and No.4 in receiving touchdowns (47).The National Guard MVP of the Year, Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Year and Cutter's Receiver of the Yearcandidate earned Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Game four times and AFL Playmaker of the Game six times in 2012.
Ross and Jones join defensive teammates Kent Richardson and Bryan Robinson on the First and Second Team All-Arena, respectively. Ross is joined on the First Team All-Arena offense by QB Tommy Grady, Utah, WR Jesse Schmidt, Iowa, WR Maurice Purify, Arizona, WR Aaron Lesue, Utah, C Kyle Young, Arizona, OL Rich Ranglin, San Jose, OL Michael Huey, Arizona and K Kenny Spencer, Spokane.
The Second Team All-Arena Offense is comprised of QB Nick Davila, Arizona, FB Odie Armstrong, Arizona, WR Reggie Gray, Chicago, WR Dominick Goodman, Cleveland, C Billy Eisenhardt, Chicago, OL George Bussey, Tampa Bay, OL Manny Akah, San Jose and K Nich Pertuit, San Jose.
Arena Football League Stories from August 2, 2012
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- Barnstormers' Schmidt Named to All-AFL First Team - Iowa Barnstormers
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- OL George Bussey Earns All-Arena Honors - Tampa Bay Storm
- Ross, Jones Named to All-Arena Team - Philadelphia Soul
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- Utah's Grady, Lesue Headline All-Arena Offense - AFL
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- Capozzoli Voted National Guard MVP of Quarterfinals - AFL
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