Seven Brigade Players Selected to AFL All-Arena Teams
August 1, 2019 - Arena Football League (AFL)
Baltimore Brigade News Release
The Arena Football League announced today selections for the 2019 All-Arena First and Second Teams, which include seven Brigade players in eight total selections. Four players were selected to the First Team All-Arena. Defensive back Joe Powell was the only player in the Arena Football League to receive two selections, earning First Team All-Arena as a defensive back and Second Team All-Arena on special teams.
The below Brigade players have been selected to the following AFL All-Arena Teams:
All-Arena First Team:
Darryl Cato-Bishop (DE) - 3x All-Arena
Dexter Jackson (MLB) - 3x All-Arena
Justin Lawrence (DT) - 3x All-Arena
Joe Powell (DB) - 3x All-Arena
All-Arena Second Team:
Joe Hills (WR) - 6x All-Arena
Kyron Samuels (C) - 1x All-Arena
Josh Victorian (DB) - 2x All-Arena
Joe Powell (ST) - 3x All-Arena
Powell, who just finished his third season in the AFL and his second with the Brigade, earned All-Arena honors in two different positions, the only AFL player to do so this season. This is the first season Powell has been selected for First Team All-Arena in his career and is the first time he has been selected as All-Arena for special teams as a kick returner. Powell led the league in forced fumbles with five and ranked second in the league in interceptions with seven this season. He led the league with 23 total passes defended and ranked second on the Brigade and eighth in the league in tackles with 48 (42 solo). Powell scored a total of four touchdowns this season. He was the only player in the league to score on a field goal return. On special teams, Powell scored three touchdowns on kickoff returns, tying for first place in the league.
Cato-Bishop led the league with 7.5 sacks (6 solo) and was a crucial part of the defensive front that helped the Brigade lead the league as a team with 18 sacks. Against the Columbus Destroyers and the Atlantic City Blackjacks, he recorded two sacks. Cato-Bishop led the Brigade and is ranked second in the league in forced fumbles with four. He also led the league in total tackles for a loss with eight. Cato-Bishop was named Week's 13 AFL Player of the Week.
Lawrence earned his third consecutive First Team All-Arena selection today. He ranked second on the Brigade and third in the league with 4.5 sacks and recorded one game with two sacks against Columbus. Lawrence picked up the first interception of his career this season and was named Week 8 AFL Player of the Week.
Jackson earned his third All-Arena selection as a linebacker, his second consecutive First Team All-Arena selection. He finished third on the Brigade and tied for fourth in the league with four sacks. Jackson was also tied for third in the league with Lawrence for tackles for loss with 4.5. Jackson was named Week 3 AFL Player of the week for his three-solo tackle, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and one sack performance against Columbus.
Hills, an eight-year veteran, became the only player in AFL history to score at least one touchdown reception in 100 consecutive games this season. He finished the season with 103 consecutive games with a receiving touchdown. Despite missing one game of the season, Hills finished fourth in the league in touchdown receptions with 20, tied for fifth in receptions with 63 and recorded 689 receiving yards. He also became the 17th player to surpass 10,000 career receiving yards. This is Hill's fourth consecutive All-Arena selection and the sixth of his career.
Victorian earned his second consecutive All-Arena selection. He ranked first on the Brigade and sixth in the league with 51 tackles (46 solo). He was also ranked second in the league with 22 passes defended. Victorian had four interceptions this season and was named Week 10 Defensive Player of the Week for his three tackle, three pass breakups, two interceptions and one touchdown performance against Columbus.
Samuels was instrumental to the Brigade's offensive line. He earned his first All-Arena recognition of his career.
• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League message board...
Arena Football League Stories from August 1, 2019
- Arena Football League Announce 2019 All-Arena Teams - Albany Empire
- Blackjacks Place Four on All-Arena Teams - Atlantic City Blackjacks
- Seven Brigade Players Selected to AFL All-Arena Teams - Baltimore Brigade
- Four Valor Players Named to 2019 All-Arena Team - Washington Valor
- Soul Place Seven on All-Arena Teams - Philadelphia Soul
- Arena Football League Announces 2019 All-Arena Selections - Columbus Destroyers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
