Week 10 Players of the Week Announced

Published on April 27, 2016 under Indoor Football League (IFL) News Release

Billings Wolves QB Mason Espinosa
(Billings Wolves)

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Mason Espinosa (QB, Billings Wolves)

In one of the most exciting games of the 2016 season, the Billings Wolves QB Mason Espinosa connected with WR Chip Reeves with just eight seconds remaining to help the Wolves narrowly edge the Colorado Crush 64-61. A week after setting a single game franchise record with six passing touchdowns, Espinosa (6'4, 225 Ohio Wesleyan) duplicated his feat against the Crush and is awarded his first IFL Offensive Player of the Week nomination. Against the Crush, Espinosa completed 27 of 39 passes for 284 yards and six passing touchdowns. In addition, Espinosa also added rushing touchdown. Under Espinosa's leadership the Wolves have won consecutive games for the first time this season and event their record to 4-4 on the season. Billings hosts the Cedar Rapids Titans in Week 11.

Honorable Mention: Lorenzo Brown (QB, Sioux Falls Storm), Patrick McCain (QB, Tri-Cities Fever), Bryan Pray (WR, Iowa Barnstormers), O.J Simpson (WR, Nebraska Danger)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: J'Vontez Blackmon (DB, Sioux Falls Storm)

In a rematch of the 2015 United Bowl the Sioux Falls Storm defeated the Nebraska Danger 62-44 to move to an IFL-best 7-1 on the season. Storm DB J'Vontez Blackmon (6'0, 210, Tennessee at Martin) delivered one of the most dominant defensive performances this season as the ball-hawking defensive back accounted for a team leading 14 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two pass breakups. Blackmon's first quarter forced fumble helped the Storm turn a narrow seven-point lead into a 14 point lead from which the Danger would not overcome. The Storm host the Green Bay Blizzard in Week 11.

Honorable Mention: Tony Bell (LB, Cedar Rapids Titans), Tevin Davis (DL, Colorado Crush), Brandon Peguese (Dl, Sioux Falls Storm), Benjamin Perry (DL, Spokane Empire)

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Troy Evans (KR, Wichita Falls Nighthawks)

The Wichita Falls Nighthawks KR Troy Evans helped the Nighthawks pull off one of the most exciting finishes to an IFL game this season as he returned a Titans kickoff 56 yards for the game-winning touchdown with just 8 seconds remaining. The touchdown gave the Nighthawks a 61-57 victory and moved the team to a 5-2 record this season. With that last-second touchdown Evans, who also returned the opening kickoff of the game for a touchdown, perfectly capped the game for the Nighthawks and became the first player in the IFL to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a single game this season. Evans (5'9,195, Marshall) finished his spectacular night returning six kickoffs for 170 yards and two touchdowns, a 28.3 yards per return average. Evans and the Nighthawks travel to face the Colorado Crush this weekend.

Honorable Mention: Rockne Belmonte (K, Wichita Falls Nighthawks), Chevelle Buie (KR, Green Bay Blizzard), Brendan Hanaphy (K, Nebraska Danger), Justin Syrovatka (K, Sioux Falls Storm)

Sioux Falls Storm DB J'Vontez Blackmon

Wichita Falls Nighthawks KR Troy Evans

Billings Wolves QB Mason Espinosa

Indoor Football League Stories from April 27, 2016

• Empire Makes Midseason Roster Moves - Spokane Empire
• Week 10 Players of the Week Announced - IFL
• Iowa travels to Nebraska to take on the Danger - Iowa Barnstormers

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