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Stevenson, Vena, Kizer, Dillon, Blackwell Earn Semifinal Round Honors

Published on August 11, 2009 under arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Tulsa wide receiver/defensive back LaRico stevenson, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton quarterback RYAN VENA, and Green Bay defensive back RAYSHAUN KIZER have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for the Semifinal Round of the 2009 af2 Playoffs. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch and the best hit of the week. The Big Game Catch of the Week Award for the Semifinal Round goes to Spokane wide receiver Charles dillon and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defensive lineman Troy Blackwell.

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Stevenson (5-11, 190, West Georgia) added the icing on the cake for Tulsa in the team's 59-34 win over Bossier-Shreveport on Saturday as he carried the ball 40 yards for a touchdown with 10 seconds left in the game. The score capped off an all-around solid performance from the second-year af2 player. He added an interception in the second quarter and 1.5 tackles along with his late 40-yard scoring run. With the win, the No. 2 seed Talons (15-3) advance to the National Conference Championship in Spokane, Wash. to face off against the No. 1 seed Shock (17-1). In 12 regular season games played, Stevenson ranked fifth on the squad in tackles with 49. The West Georgia alum also recorded three interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Vena (6-0, 220, Colgate) takes home his seventh career offensive player of the week award for his record-setting night on Saturday in the Semifinal Round of the af2 playoffs. The former Colgate standout tossed 11 touchdown passes - an af2 postseason record - in the Pioneers' 82-49 win against the Kentucky Horsemen. He finished the night with 25 completions in 34 attempts for 282 yards (1 INT). He connected with Irving Campbell for seven receiving TDs, helping Campbell to a share of the af2 postseason record for TD receptions in a single game. Vena, who has led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton offense to 160 points in the first two games of the playoffs, has 16 TD tosses this postseason, trailing only Justin Allgood of Tulsa (17). Vena recently earned his third straight All-af2 First Team honor and fourth First Team nod overall (2003). The Pioneers (15-3) will next host the Green Bay Blizzard (12-6) in the American Conference Championship Saturday night, with the winner advancing to the 2009 ArenaCup in Las Vegas.

AARON'S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Kizer (5-10, 193, Walsh) kept Green Bay's ArenaCup hopes alive as he came up with an interception on his own 3-yard line with just under a minute left in the game to save an Iowa go-ahead score and seal the victory for the Blizzard. Along with the interception, Kizer led the Blizzard defense in tackles with 5.5 and added a pass breakup in the club's 51-46 American Conference Semifinal win. The Walsh alum is a key member of a Green Bay defense that has six picks and 16 pass breakups in two postseason outings. Kizer ranked second on the squad in tackles (62.5) and pass breakups (10) and also finished third in interceptions (3) in 14 games played. The No. 6 seed Blizzard (12-6) travel to Pennsylvania to face off against No. 1 Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (15-3) this Saturday in the American Conference Championship.

THE BIG GAME CATCH OF THE WEEK

Dillon (6-1, 195, Washington St.), in his first af2 season, is the Semifinal Round playoff recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. After stalling on the first possession of the team's 59-35 home win against Boise, the Spokane offense came roaring back on its second try, marching down field to the 6-yard line. Then, Dillon, on a quick in-and-out route, came up with a leaping grab over his shoulders in the end zone to give the Shock their first score of the night. The Washington State alum would finish the evening with three catches for 43 yards. Dillon has eight catches for 128 yards and three TDs in Spokane's two playoff games to date. The No. 1 seed Shock (17-1) host the No. 2 seed Tulsa Talons (15-3) in the National Conference Championship this Saturday night.

NIFTY HIT OF THE WEEK

Blackwell (6-9, 305, Tennessee-Chattanooga), in his third af2 season, has been awarded the NiFTy Hit of the Week, a new weekly honor that highlights the player who makes the best hit or tackle of the week. The second Pioneers player in as many weeks to get the award, the big lineman's hit was a sack on Kentucky QB Justin Rascati on the Horsemen's last drive of the third quarter. Blackwell powered through the offensive line and hauled Rascati to the turf for a 10-yard loss. The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton defensive line, which was second in the league in sacks during the regular season, battered Kentucky's quarterbacks all night. They took down Rascati three times, Jared Lorenzen once, and hurried them seven times. Along with the sack, Blackwell added 3.5 tackles and another sack assist.

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Irving Campbell, Spokane's Johnie Kirton, Iowa's Brian Villanueva and Green Bay's Anthony Crissinger-Hill.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Irving Campbell, Tulsa's Jeff Hughley, Green Bay's Gino Guidugli, Spokane's Nick Davila and Boise's Nichiren Flowers.

Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Troy Blackwell, Spokane's Sergio Gilliam and Tulsa's Terrance Carter.

The Big Game Catch of the Week candidates included:

Tulsa's Jeff Hughley, Iowa's Tim Dodge and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Irving Campbell.

NiFTy Hit of the Week candidates included:

Tulsa's Jamar Ransom and Iowa's Brent Curvey.

2009 WEEK-BY-WEEK AWARD WINNERS

WK OFFENSE IRONMAN DEFENSE CATCH HIT

KO Jason Murrietta (CVC) Chris McKinney (FLA) Kinny Spotwood (SGW) Kelvin Dickens (SGW) None

1 Andy Collins (STK) Jamar Ransom (TUL) Levi Madarieta (BOI) Rod Windsor (RGV) None

2 Brian Villanueva (IAB) Jeff Hughley (TUL) Lavar Stepter (MIL) Buchie Ibeh (BSB) Cory Lacek (WBS)

3 Errick McCown (IAB) Bradly Chavez (TVV) Takashi Walker (SGW) Nick Codutti (QCS) Jared Lorenzen (KEN)

4 Kevin Eakin (TVV) LaMonte Jones (CVC) Craig Wilson (GBB) James Panui (FLA) Craig Turner (RGV)

5 Darnell Kennedy (SGW) Terrance Sanders (BOI) Rob Green (MAN) Lonell Dewalt (KEN) Fred Shaw (OKC)

6 Rod Harper (ARK) Craig Turner (RGV) Dustin Johnson (BSB) Rich Musinski (WBS) Demetrius Hodges (FLA)

7 Darnell Kennedy (SGW) Christian Wise (ALB) Ben Alexander (TRI) Brandon Hussey (CCS) Jason Simpson (IAB)

8 Chad Cavender (STK) Bradly Chavez (TVV) Pierre Thomas (TUL) Jerard Rabb (BOI) Kamau Jackson (TUL)

Justin Taplin (STK)

9 Rod Windsor (RGV) P.J. Berry (BSB) William Mulder (KEN) C.J. Brewer (MVT) Kirby Griffin (WBS)

10 Kyle Rowley (ARK) Terrance Sanders (BOI) James McClinton (TUL) Phil Goodman (CVC) Demetrius Hodges (FLA)

Rod Harper (ARK)

11 Jason Schule (BOS) Alvin Ray Jackson (ALB) Gerard Lewis (AMR) Finas Rabb (TRI) Levi Madarieta (BOI)

12 Gino Guidugli (GBB) Alvin Ray Jackson (ALB) Stanley Franks (SPK) Duvaughn Flagler (AMA) Henry Hall (CCS)

13 Aaron Fairooz (ARK) Freddie Rollins (OKC) Brandon Taylor (MVT) Jeremy Grier (TVV) Derrick Harris (RGV)

14 Gino Guidugli (GBB) Larry Kendrick (WBS) Quinton Griffin (KEN) Kevin McCullough (SPK) Jermaine Moye (MVT)

15 P.J. Berry (BOS) Jesse Schmidt (QCS) Michael Lewis (PEO) Dusty Kain (IBS) Andre Burns (OKC)

16 Jesse Schmidt (QCS) Mervin Brookins, Jr. (STK)Brandon Hampton (PEO)Markee White (SPK) Delenell Reid (TUL)

Rod Windsor (RGV)

17 Kyle Rowley (ARK) Jeff Hughley (TUL) Vince Hill (RGV) Irving Campbell (WBS) George Lewis (FLA)

18 Ryan Vena (WBS) Steve Savoy (MAN) Chris Hemphill (TRI) Rod Windsor (RGV) Jason Hunt (STK)

19 Tommy Grady (OKC) Jomo Wilson (BOI) Sergio Gilliam (SPO) Nate Forse (GBB) Larry Kendrick (WBS)

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