Winchester, Luzayadio, Stubblefield, Hart, receive 2006 UIF Individual Awards
July 18, 2006 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
The United Indoor Football Association (UIF) has announced the individual league award winners for the 2006 season and the Evansville BlueCats are excited to announce that several BlueCats have been recognized by the league for their outstanding play during the 2006 regular season. The awards were voted on by league head coaches and the radio announcers for a total of twenty ballots for the awards. Each ballot was scored using a point system. The individual with the most points after all twenty ballots had been totaled, was awarded that respective nomination as the best in the UIF. The 2006 UIF All-Star team is expected to be announced tomorrow.
Leading off the award winners for the Evansville BlueCats is linebacker John Winchester who was named 2006 Defensive Rookie MVP and UIF Defensive MVP "Honorable Mention". John had a huge rookie season for the Evansville BlueCats. Over the course of 14 games he made a total of 112.5 tackles, 19 tackles for loss (58 yards), 3.5 sacks (24 yards), 7 pass break ups, 2 interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery. He spent most of the season ranked either 1st or 2nd in the league in tackles. He finished the season as the league's second leading tackler and ranked 4th in tackles for loss in the regular season. He was named UIF Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" honors three times during 2006 for his performance in Week 1, Week 5, and Week 7.
Kicker Ton-Ton Luzayadio was named UIF Special Teams MVP "Honorable Mention". Luzayadio was the league's leading scorer this season with 174 points during the regular season. He broke the league record for most field goals in a single season with 40. His 174 regular season points stand as the second best single season total in league history and a record for most points by a kicker. In addition to the league records, Luzayadio also holds the team records for most field goals in a game (6), longest field goal (47), most extra points in a game (9), most field goals in a career, extra points in a season (58), and extra point and field goal percentage. He was named UIF Special Teams Player of Week an amazing 3 times in 2006 for his performance in Week 2, Week 4, and Week 10.
Joel Stubblefield was named UIF Most Improved Player "Honorable Mention". Stubblefield developed into an excellent player and steady contributor along the BlueCats defensive line, playing at both nose tackle and defensive end. He's played in 14 games this season and ranks 5th on the team in tackles with 40.5 in 2006. He's made 13.5 tackles for loss, totaling an amazing 67 yards. He's made 3.5 sacks, forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, broke up 2 passes, and recorded a safety. Stubblefield also saw spot duty at fullback for the BlueCats. He made a touchdown reception back in Week 1 that was controversially overturned when he was ruled as being an ineligible receiver despite lining up as a fullback in the backfield on the play. Last season, Joel played in 11 games with the BlueCats seeing action along both the offensive and defensive line.
Head Coach John Hart was named UIF Coach of the Year "Honorable Mention". Coach Hart is in his first season as Head Coach of the Evansville BlueCats. Under his guidance, the team rebounded from a (1-4) start to finish the regular season with an impressive run that included a franchise record 4 game win streak to reach the playoffs as the #5 seed. Coach Hart also led the BlueCats to 4 regular season road wins away from Roberts Stadium, easily a new team best. Coach Hart got another road win in the playoffs with a big victory last weekend in the first round of the UIF playoffs, for a total 5 road wins (so far) in just his first season at the helm. As the lowest seed remaining the playoffs, the BlueCats will have a chance to add more road wins before the season is over.
The Evansville BlueCats would like to congratulate John Winchester, Ton-Ton Luzayadio, Joel Stubblefield, and Coach Hart for receiving these awards.
The complete list of 2006 UIF Individual Award winners were as follows:
Most Valuable Player: Terrance Bryant (QB), Sioux Falls Storm
Offensive MVP: Matt Kohn (QB), Ohio Valley Greyhounds
Defensive MVP: Nate Fluit (DE), Sioux Falls Storm
Special Teams MVP: William Mulder (KR), Lexington Horsemen
Offensive Rookie MVP: RJ Rollins (RB), Omaha Beef
Defensive Rookie MVP: John Winchester (LB), Evansville BlueCats
Most Improved: Marques Smith (RB), Sioux Falls Storm
Coach of the Year: Kurtiss Riggs, Sioux Falls Storm
Other notables for awards were as follows:
MVP: Matt Kohn (OVG) & Eddie Eviston (LEX)
Offensive MVP: Eddie Eviston (LEX) & Terrance Bryant (SFS)
Defensive MVP: William Mulder (LEX) & John Winchester (EVA)
Special Teams MVP: Ton-Ton Luzayadio (EVA) & Peter Christofilakos (BLO)
Offensive Rookie MVP: Matt Kohn (OVG) & Darrell Dowery (OVG)
Defensive Rookie MVP: Brock Dodrill (OVG) & Winston Taylor (BLO)
Most Improved: Joel Stubblefield (EVA) & John Cooper (LEX)
Coach of the Year: Mike Zuckerman (LEX) & John Hart (EVA)
This week the Evansville BlueCats take on the Sioux Falls Storm in the semi-finals for a spot in the UIF Championship game. Rock River will play at Lexington in the other semi-final game. The winners advance to face each other the following weekend in United Bowl II.
Be sure to tune in to ESPN Radio 94.9 this Sunday afternoon to catch all of the fabulous indoor football action as your Evansville BlueCats take on the Sioux Falls Storm. The winner will advance to United Bowl II. Kickoff is set for 3:05pm. For more information on the Evansville BlueCats players, coaches, and for the complete Evansville BlueCats 2006 schedule, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from July 18, 2006
- Winchester, Luzayadio, Stubblefield, Hart, receive 2006 UIF Individual Awards - Evansville BlueCats
- UIF 2006 Individual Awards Announced - UIF
- Semi-Final Action to Start this Weekend - UIF
- Horsemen Rested and Ready to Go - UIF
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