Rush and Hlavacek Earn All-Arena Honors
May 20, 2003 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Albany/Indiana Firebirds News Release
INDIANAPOLIS - The Arena Football League Office announced today that kicker Clay Rush and wide receiver/defensive back Evan Hlavacek have garnered 1st and 2nd team All-Arena Honors respectively. The All-Arena Teams were selected by the Arena Football League coaches.
Rush (6-3, 220), playing in his first season with the Firebirds, led the League in field goals made (24), field goals attempted (46), field goal percentage (52.1%) and points scored (154). He also connected on 82-96 PAT's (85.4%), which ranked 8th overall in the AFL. A Kicker of the Year candidate, Rush recorded a touchback in 13 of the 16 games and had a total of 30 for the season.
This marks the 2nd time in Rush's career that he has been named First Team All-Arena (2000).
A force in all three phases of the game, Hlavacek (5-10, 185) had his best season in a Firebirds uniform during the 2003 season. Hlavacek led the 'Birds with 2,024 total yards including team records with 1,643 kick return yards and six return touchdowns. On defense, Hlavacek finished third on the Firebirds with 63 tackles with eight pass break-ups. In just eight games playing offense he tallied 15 receptions for 204 yards and five touchdowns.
This marks the first time Hlavacek has garnered All-Arena Honors.
The AFL Playoffs begin this Saturday, May 24 with the Wild Card Round when the No. 5 Dallas Desperados host the No. 12 Georgia Force at 3 p.m. ET (NBC). On Sunday, May 25 at 3 p.m. ET there will be three games: the No. 6-seeded Arizona Rattlers host the No. 11 seed, the Las Vegas Gladiators; the No. 7 Grand Rapids Rampage host the No. 10 Detroit Fury; and the No. 8 New York is scheduled to host the No. 9 Chicago. All games will be broadcast on NBC.
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Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from May 20, 2003
- 2003 AFL Season in Review - AFL I
- Wagner Named Ironman of the Week - San Jose SaberCats
- Rush and Hlavacek Earn All-Arena Honors - Albany/Indiana Firebirds
- Georgia Force Game Notes - Georgia Force
- Dallas Desperados Game Notes - Dallas Desperados
- Grand Rapids Rampage Game Notes - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL Attendance Up 15 Percent in 2003 - AFL I
- Rampage Announce 2003 Team Award Winners - Grand Rapids Rampage
- AFL Names All-Arena Teams - AFL I
- Desperados Host Force in First Round Playoff Game - Dallas Desperados
- Three SaberCats Earn First-Team All-League Honors - San Jose SaberCats
- L.A. Avengers place Jackson and Hopkins on All-Arena first team - Los Angeles Avengers
- Rattle the Rattlers Gladiator Fan Bus Set for Phoenix Departure on Sunday, May 25 - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Desperados Playoff Game Changes Date & Venue - Dallas Desperados
- Gladiators' Kicker Steve Videtich Named Second Team All Arena - Las Vegas Gladiators
- Desperados Trio Named to All-Arena Teams - Dallas Desperados
- AFL Names Week's Best - AFL I
- Desperados Briggs Named Defensive Player of the Week - Dallas Desperados
- Fury head to Grand Rapids for First Round of the ArenaBowl Playoffs - Detroit Fury
- Moyer, Chatman Garner AFL Awards - Chicago Rush
- Carpenter Garners All-Arena Honors - Buffalo Destroyers
- Rush Playoff Date Set - Chicago Rush
- AFL Playoff Schedule Announced - AFL I
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