Sports stats



af2 arenafootball2

Wise, Kennedy, and Alexander Earn Week Seven Honors

May 13, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release


CHICAGO - Albany wide receiver/defensive back CHRISTIAN WISE, South Georgia quarterback DARNELL KENNEDY and Tri-Cities defensive lineman BEN ALEXANDER have been named the JLS Ironman, Russell Athletic Offensive Player and Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week, respectively, for Week 7 of 2009, the af2's 10th anniversary season. 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 Week 7 goes to Corpus Christi wide receiver BRANDON HUSSEY and the NiFTy Hit of the Week is awarded to Iowa defensive back JASON SIMPSON.

JLS IRONMAN OF THE WEEK

Wise (6-1, 180, Clark Atlanta), in his second af2 season, had a stellar all-around effort for Albany (2-5) in the team's Week 7 road win at Bossier-Shreveport, 54-41. The Clark Atlanta alum was a factor in all three phases of the game (offense, defense and special teams) to help the Firebirds earn their second straight win. Wise caught 11 passes for 190 yards and three touchdowns, all game-highs. He also had one interception (16-yard return) and one pass breakup on defense and recorded 54 return yards on four kickoffs. Wise finished with a Week 7-best 260 all-purpose yards. This is the first Ironman of the Week Award of Wise's career. He ranks sixth in the af2 in all-purpose yards per game (179.2). Wise leads the Firebirds in receiving (51-770-8 TDs), kick return yards (289) and all-purpose yards (1,075).

RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Kennedy (6-1, 190, Alabama State), in his first af2 season, continued his stellar play for South Georgia in the team's, 72-66, Week 7 home win against South Division foe Kentucky. The Alabama State alum threw for a season-high and career-best 374 yards on 25-of-41 passes (61 percent). Ten (10) of his 25 completions went for touchdowns to set a new South Georgia single-game record. His only blemish on the night was a third quarter interception. This is the second Offensive Player of the Week Award of Kennedy's career and his second in the past three weeks (Week 5). He has been a big reason behind the Wildcats early season success. South Georgia currently sits atop the South Division standings at 6-2, a half game ahead of second place Tennessee Valley (5-2). Kennedy is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (11) and ranks fifth in passer rating (121.8). He is also tied for third in the league in TD passes (43).

AARON'S DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Alexander (6-2, 260, Idaho) was a major player on defense in Tri-Cities', 43-42, Week 7 home win against Stockton. The first-year defensive lineman from Idaho was a force for the Fever with 3.5 total tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks. He also had one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to help Tri-Cities break through for its first victory of the season. This is the first af2 weekly award of Alexander's career. He currently leads the Fever (1-6) in tackles for loss (6.5), sacks (4.0) and forced fumbles (2). Alexander is also tied for the team lead in fumble recoveries (2) and ranks fourth in total tackles (19).

THE BIG GAME CATCH OF THE WEEK

Hussey (5-9, 175, Winston Salem State), in his third year with Corpus Christi, is the Week 7 recipient of The Big Game Catch of the Week Award. Hussey's catch was a 7-yard, leaping one-handed touchdown grab late in the first quarter of the Sharks' 44-36 home loss to Tennessee Valley. The Winston Salem State alum finished with seven catches on the night for 99 yards and two scores. Hussey currently leads the Sharks (1-5) in receiving yards (585) and receiving touchdowns (9). He is also tied for the team lead in scoring (54 points) and ranks second in receptions (43).

NIFTY HIT OF THE WEEK

Simpson (6-1, 195, Missouri), in his third af2 season, is the sixth recipient of the NiFTy Hit of the Week Award, a new weekly honor that highlights the player who makes the best hit or tackle of the week. Simpson's hit came midway through the first quarter on Friday night in Iowa's 46-41 road win at Central Division rival Green Bay. On a 2nd-and-15 play from the Green Bay 24-yard line, Blizzard QB Gino Guidugli dropped back looking to pass. Simpson, however, lined up on the left edge, was left unblocked on the play. As a result, the Missouri alum was in Guidugli's face in a second and put a hit so hard on the veteran signal caller that the ball popped out and was recovered eight yards downfield by Iowa DB Tanner Varner. Besides the sack and forced fumble, Simpson also produced another forced fumble later in the game and recovered the fumble as well. The veteran defender leads the Barnstormers (4-3) in tackles for loss (4.5) and is tied for second in sacks (2). Simpson also ranks third on the squad in tackles (30).

JLS Ironman of the Week candidates included:

Mahoning Valley's Tim Cheatwood, Iowa's Charles Johnson, Manchester's Steve Savoy, Milwaukee's Antoine Burns, Tennessee Valley's Bradly Chavez, Florida's Chris McKinney, Kentucky's William Mulder, Tulsa's Carlese Franklin, Tri-Cities' Chris Hemphill, Spokane's Kevin McCullough and Rio Grande Valley's Craig Turner.

Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Ryan Vena, Iowa's Tim Dodge, Quad City's Jesse Schmidt, Milwaukee's Scott Burnoski, Tennessee Valley's Kevin Eakin, Arkansas' Rod Harper, Albany's Stephen Wasil, Tulsa's Zach Edwards, Stockton's Chad Cavender, Spokane's Charles Dillon and Rio Grande Valley's Nick Hill.

Aaron's Defensive Player of the Week candidates included:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's Royce Morgan, Iowa's Jason Simpson, Manchester's Bryan Robinson, Peoria's James Smith, Tennessee Valley's Tyrell Elston, Arkansas' James Todd, South Georgia's Courtney Young, Albany's Christian Wise, Albany's Alvin Ray Jackson, Tulsa's Jamar Ransom, Spokane's Sergio Gilliam and Rio Grande Valley's Valetine Chude.

The Big Game Catch of the Week candidates included:

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton's J.J. Outlaw, Green Bay's Terry Love, Quad City's Jesse Schmidt, Peoria's Darren Paige, Arkansas' Rod Harper, Kentucky's Harry Lewis, Bossier-Shreveport's Chavis McCollister, Tulsa's Jeff Hughley, Stockton's David Sutton, Spokane's Sergio Gilliam and Rio Grande Valley's Rod Windsor.

NiFTy Hit of the Week candidates included:

Mahoning Valley's Brandon Taylor, Manchester's Antwan Stewart, Milwaukee's Blue Aldridge, Tennessee Valley's Tyrell Elston, South Georgia's Courtney Young, Bossier-Shreveport's Joe Woolridge, Tri-Cities' Jamie Hattley and Rio Grande Valley's Travis McAlpine.

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)

About J. Lewis Small Company

J. Lewis Small Company (JLS) manufactures high school class rings, college and university class rings, championship rings, and recognition awards to serve the independent salesforce and jewelry industries. Founded in 1915, JLS's highly qualified staff produces a product regarded as one of the best in the industry. Log on to www.jlewissmall.com for more information.

About Russell Athletic

For more than 100 years, Russell Athletic has supplied America's athletes and teams with the latest innovations to help them perform at their best and is a leading supplier of team uniforms at the high school, college, and professional level. Russell Athletic activewear and college licensed products are broadly distributed and marketed through department stores, sports specialty stores, retail chains, and college bookstores. For more information, log onto www.russellathletic.com.

About Aaron's

Founded in 1955 by entrepreneur R. Charles Loudermilk and publicly traded since 1982, Aaron's, a division of Aaron Rents, Inc. (NYSE: RNT), based in Atlanta, currently has more than 1,560 Company-operated and franchised stores in the United States and Canada for the sale of residential and office furniture, accessories, consumer electronics and household appliances. The Company also manufactures furniture and bedding at 12 facilities in five states. Employing approximately 10,000 employees, as the standard bearer of integrity, honesty and fairness, the Company strives in its mission to provide the highest level of service, a large selection of name brand products and the guaranteed lowest price.

About The Big Game

From our humble beginnings over a decade ago, The Big Game quickly grew to become the leading producer of quality sports commemoratives for professional, college and high school sports teams. Since then, our impressive client roster has grown to include Fortune 500 corporations, politicians, movie stars, musicians - even American presidents! Today, our quality merchandise is proudly displayed in the trophy cases of thousands of athletes, sports collectors and fans across the United States. The Big Game uses special patented and proprietary techniques to provide attractive, durable products at a competitive cost regardless of quantity - all at our factory in historic Frisco, Texas. Our craftsmanship, attention to detail and creativity is good old American know-how at its finest. So whether you need to recognize your top 500 performers or a top 10 team, we're confident you'll find a Big Game commemorative that's just right for you. For more information, log onto www.thebiggameusa.com.

About Network Foundation Technologies, LLC

Network Foundation Technologies, LLC (NFT: pronounced 'NiFTy') is a name that is quickly becoming synonymous with the online broadcasting of large, live events to worldwide audiences. NFT's patented technology overcomes the scalability and cost bottlenecks associated with online broadcasting, enabling the company to bring large-scale, advertiser-supported, television-style broadcasting to the Internet for the very first time. Please visit NiFTyTV.com for more information.

• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...

arenafootball2 Stories from May 13, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central