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Tackmann, Lester, And Gilliam Earn Week One Honors

April 1, 2008 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Mahoning Valley wide receiver/linebacker JOHN TACKMANN, South Georgia quarterback CECIL LESTER and Spokane defensive back SERGIO GILLIAM have been named the U.S. Army Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 1 of the 2008 season. In addition to these three awards, the af2 is also highlighting the player who makes the best catch of the week. The Cutters Catch of the Week Award for Week 1 goes to Corpus Christi wide receiver JONATHAN GRAHAM.

U.S. ARMY IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Tackmann (6-2, 220, Winona St.), in his rookie season, made his presence felt on both sides of the ball for Mahoning Valley in the Thunder's season-opening, 59-33, home win on Saturday against the Albany Conquest. Tackmann's notable two-way play included 25 yards rushing and three touchdown runs (9, 5, 2) on offense. On defense, the Winona St. (MN) alum was also impressive, recording a game-high 6.5 tackles as the Thunder held Albany to just seven points in the second half. This is the first weekly af2 award of Tackmann's career.

SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Lester (6-1, 215, Fort Valley St.) led the Wildcats to an amazing 59-55 comeback victory in Week 1 at Tennessee Valley. Lester, making his first af2 start since the 2004 season, completed 27-of-45 passes for 375 yards and seven touchdowns with just one interception. The Fort Valley St. alum, used primarily as a backup in his previous three af2 campaigns, saved his best effort for the final play of the game. The Wildcats trailed by three points (52-55) with five seconds remaining when Lester threw a pass underneath a three-deep zone to Alvin Ray Jackson. Jackson proceeded upfield but was held up by a host of Tennessee Valley defenders. Before going down he spotted Lester, who started sprinting down the field after throwing the pass. Jackson then pitched the ball back to Lester who ran 19 yards down the left sideline and into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. This is the first af2 weekly award of Lester's career.

ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Gilliam (6-2, 195, Clemson), an af2 rookie, was a major player on defense in Week 1 for Spokane as the Shock won on the road at Green Bay, 64-48. Gilliam looked like an Arena Football veteran in his first-ever af2 game, tying a Shock team record with three interceptions. The former Clemson standout's individual effort helped Spokane hand the Blizzard their first home defeat since July 7, 2006, a streak of 11 straight wins. Gilliam also recorded 3.5 tackles and two pass breakups. This is the first af2 weekly award of Gilliam's career.

CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK

Corpus Christi wide receiver Jonathan Graham (6-1, 195, Winston Salem St.), who is entering his second season in the af2, is the Week 1 recipient of the Cutters Catch of the Week Award, a weekly honor that emerged last year to highlight the player who makes the best catch of the week. Graham's catch was an outstanding 11-yard touchdown grab in the third quarter of the Sharks' 61-48 road win at Austin. The former Winston Salem St. standout snared what looked to be an errant pass from QB Fran Johnson after the ball ricocheted off the rebound net. Graham finished with two catches for 21 yards and one touchdown.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Week candidates included:

Quad City's Roy Ravenell, Tri-Cities' Phil Goodman, Louisville's Nick Giordano, Lexington's Chad Spencer, Austin's Mel Long, Tulsa's Delenell Reid, South Georgia's P.J. Berry, Bossier-Shreveport's Chris Ibezim, Green Bay's Anthony Crissinger-Hill and Rio Grande Valley's Jermaine Carpenter.

Schutt Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Quad City's Jesse Schmidt, Stockton's Chad Elliott, Louisville's Lonnell Dewalt, Mahoning Valley's Josh Swogger, Lexington's Craig Yeast, Corpus Christi's Brandon Hussey, Tulsa's Justin Allgood, Bossier-Shreveport's Gary Cooper, Spokane's Raul Vijil and Rio Grande Valley's Travis Cole.

ADT Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Quad City's Malik Jackson, Tri-Cities' Charles Ealy, Louisville's Zach Babington-Johnson, Mahoning Valley's Anthony Jackson, Lexington's J.T. Haskins, Corpus Christi's Tyrell McCrea, Tulsa's Terrance Carter, Tennessee Valley's Demetrius Derico, Central Valley's Maurice Holmes and Rio Grande Valley's Pierre Thomas.



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