Sippio, Alfonzo And Unertl Voted To AFL All-Arena Teams
June 28, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Chicago Rush News Release
June 28, 2007 - When the Arena Football League announced its 2007 All-Arena teams Thursday, the defending ArenaBowl champion Chicago Rush found itself with three players receiving postseason honors.
Wide receiver Bobby Sippio and linebacker DeJuan Alfonzo were voted to the league's first team, while defensive back Jeremy Unertl was voted second-team All-Arena.
"All these players had extraordinary years, and not only did they set statistical records, but they've done a tremendous job working to defend our championship," said Rush head coach Mike Hohensee. "Although they've received individual honors, they're all tremendous team players. We're very proud of them."
Sippio had one of the best seasons in AFL history, setting career highs and Rush records by catching 125 passes for 1,739 yards and an amazing 53 touchdowns - even though he missed nearly four games with a sprained ankle. Before his injury, Sippio was on pace to shatter the AFL season records for receptions, receiving yards, touchdowns and scoring. Despite the injury, Sippio still finished the season as the AFL leader in touchdowns and scoring (318 points), and was ranked fourth in receiving yards and eighth in receptions.
Alfonzo set an AFL record by scoring five defensive touchdowns this season - three via interceptions and two via fumble recoveries. In addition, he tied an AFL record by recovering six fumbles this season.
For the year, Alfonzo recorded a career-high 93 tackles, six interceptions, six fumbles recovered and four fumbles forced. He led the league in fumbles recovered, and finished the season ranked in the top 10 in the AFL in both tackles and fumbles forced.
In addition to his great play on defense, Alfonzo also was a weapon on offense - especially when Rush receiver Bobby Sippio was out with an injury - catching 27 passes for 245 yards and seven touchdowns, and rushing for 57 yards and seven TDs on the year.
Unertl enjoyed another outstanding season as the anchor of the Rush secondary, recording 72.5 tackles, six interceptions and 22 passes broken up for a defense that ranked first in the AFL in scoring defense (44.9 points per game) and takeaways (44), and second in pass defense (248.1 yards per game) and total defense (273.4 yards per game).
The Dallas Desperados led the way with seven selections to the All-Arena teams, while the Georgia Force placed six players on the 2007 squad.
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