Winchester Named UIF Defensive Player of the Week
July 5, 2007 - United Indoor Football Association (UIF)
Evansville BlueCats News Release
EVANSVILLE, IN: The Evansville BlueCats are pleased to announce that linebacker John Winchester has been named UIF Defensive Player of the Week for his Week 15 performance against the Ohio Valley Greyhounds. Winchester tallied four solo tackles, six assists, 2 tackles for loss, one sack, one quarterback hurry, and a pass break up. Winchester also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of Evansville's 44-20 victory over Ohio Valley. It was Winchester's first touchdown of the season and the second touchdown of his professional career.
This award is John's first Player of the Week award for the 2007 season after receiving Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" honors 4 times last season. This award also marks the third week in a row that an Evansville BlueCats defender has won Defensive Player of the Week honors. The BlueCats defense has improved their play over the past several weeks and the league has taken notice. In addition to winning three Defensive Player of the Week awards in a row, the BlueCats defensive unit has won four of the last five overall.
Evansville BlueCats Head Coach John Hart said, "John played an outstanding football game. He looked like he did last season before the knee injury, when he was the most dominant defensive player in the league."
In nine games so far this season, John Winchester has racked up 46.5 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 pass break ups, and 2 fumble recoveries. Winchester missed the first four games of the 2007 season while he was still recovering from a season-ending knee injury he suffered during the 2006 regular season finale last July 8th. He was unable to participate in the 2006 playoffs.
Last season, John Winchester accumulated a total of 112.5 total tackles, 19 tackles for loss (58 yards), 3.5 sacks (24 yards), 7 pass break ups, and 2 interceptions with one being returned for a touchdown. 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 earned UIF Defensive Player of the Week "Honorable Mention" honors four times during 2006 for his performances in Week 1, Week 2, Week 5, and Week 7. His 19 tackles for a loss and 87 solo tackles in 2006 not only led the team, but both numbers were new BlueCats single season team records. Winchester also holds the team record for most tackles in a single game, with 14.
Following the 2006 season, Winchester was named 2006 UIF Defensive MVP "Honorable Mention", 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year, and 2006 UIF First Team All-Star at linebacker.
In college, Winchester started at linebacker for four years at the University of Louisiana-Monroe from 2001-2004 after redshirting as a true freshman in 2000. He earned all conference honors during his junior and senior seasons, and was named an Academic All-American for his work in the classroom as he earned his degree in Mathematics. In the spring of 2005, he signed a free agent contract with the Cleveland Browns and attended Rookie Mini Camp. John Winchester was scouted and placed by the coaches and staff of the indoor football scouting bureau.
Other players receiving league awards for Week 15 were River City running back Muhammad Abdulqaadir (Offensive Player of the Week), Rock River quarterback Ben Sankey (Offensive "Honorable Mention), Bloomington wide receiver/kick returner Shatone Powers (Special Teams Player of the Week), Sioux Falls kicker Adam Hicks (Special Teams "Honorable Mention"), and Sioux Falls defensive back Justin Landis (Defensive "Honorable Mention").
Since the UIF was formed in 2005, no other team in the UIF has had more players earn more Player of the Week awards than the Evansville BlueCats.
Catch the Excitement of Evansville BlueCats professional indoor football this Saturday night on News-Talk 1280 WGBF-AM or on the web at www.103gbfrocks.com when the BlueCats travel to St. Charles, Missouri to take on the River City Rage at Family Arena. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm and the pre-game show will begin at 6:40pm. The BlueCats return home on Saturday, July 14th, when they face the Bloomington Extreme at Roberts Stadium. To purchase single game tickets visit ticketmaster.com or contact the Roberts Stadium box office at (812) 476-1383 extension 25. For group rates and Cold Stone Creamery Family 4-Packs, contact the BlueCats office at (812) 437-CATS. For more information on the Evansville BlueCats, please visit the website at www.evansvillebluecats.com.
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United Indoor Football Association Stories from July 5, 2007
- K & K Insurance to present UIF awards - UIF
- Raptors Announce Golf Outing - Rock River Raptors
- Winchester Named UIF Defensive Player of the Week - Evansville BlueCats
- Statement Regarding U.S. Cellular Coliseum - Bloomington Extreme
- Extreme looks to end Billings win streak - Bloomington Extreme
- Extreme's Powers chosen for UIF honors - Bloomington Extreme
- All-Star Voting Begins Friday - Sioux Falls Storm
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