CHICAGO – Tulsa fullback/linebacker JAMAR RANSOM, Lubbock wide receiver ALVANCE ROBINSON and Louisville defensive back
MATT FORBES have been named the JLS
Ironman, Schutt Offensive Player and ADT Defensive Player of the Week,
respectively, for Week 13 of the 2008 season. In addition to these three awards,
the Cutters Catch of the Week Award for Week 13 goes to Bossier-Shreveport wide
receiver KENNETH R. WILLIAMS.
JLS IRONMAN OF THE
WEEK
Ransom (6-0, 230, Oklahoma State) had a strong all-around effort for Tulsa in the team’s 58-52 road win at Rio Grande Valley. The third-year veteran from
Oklahoma
State was an impact player
on defense to help the Talons clinch their ninth straight postseason appearance,
the most of any active team. Tulsa, one of three original af2 member teams,
has qualified for the playoffs every season of the team’s existence. Ransom
registered 7.5 tackles (6 solo, 3 asst), including a half a tackle for loss, two
forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one pass breakup. He also recorded his
fifth rushing touchdown of the season (2-yard TD run) early in the second
quarter. This is the first weekly af2 award of Ransom’s career. He currently
leads the team in tackles (71 – 4th in af2) and fumble recoveries (4). He also
ranks second in rushing touchdowns (5) and third in tackles for loss (5).
SCHUTT OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE
WEEK
Robinson (5-9, 170, Alabama State), in his
second af2 season, had an impressive individual showing for Lubbock during the
team’s 60-49 Week 13 home win against Amarillo. The Alabama State alum had 12 catches for 211 yards
and five touchdowns. Robinson’s receiving yards and receiving touchdown totals
were both Week 13 highs. This is the second time in 2008 that Robinson has
recorded over 200 yards receiving in a single game and the third time in his af2
career. He also contributed 35 yards in kick returns to finish with 246
all-purpose yards. He currently leads the league in yards per catch (18.1) and
also leads the Renegades in receptions (65), receiving yards (1,175 – 6th in
af2), receiving touchdowns (23), total touchdowns (24) and scoring (144 points).
This is the second weekly league honor of Robinson’s career. He also received a
Cutters Catch of the Week Award in 2007 (Week 3).
ADT DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE
WEEK
Forbes (5-10, 185, William Penn), in his
sixth af2 season, was an impact player on defense in Louisville’s 54-50
come-from-behind home victory against the Lexington Horsemen. The former William
Penn standout helped the Fire complete the three-game season series sweep of
their I-64 rivals. Forbes made quite an impression with 2.5 tackles, a game-high
three pass breakups and the game-clinching interception on the final play. He
also had a 53-yard missed field goal return for a touchdown as time expired in
the first half to give Louisville a 26-21 halftime lead. This is the
fourth league defensive player of the week award of Forbes’ career. He received
the honor twice in 2005 (Weeks 3 & 4) and once in 2004 (Week 5). He
currently leads the Fire with a career-high 12 interceptions, a total which
ranks him tied for second in the league. Forbes also leads the team in pass
breakups (15) and is second on the squad in tackles with 40. He is also the
league’s all-time leader in career interceptions with 45.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE
WEEK
Williams (6-4, 225, Oklahoma State) is the Week 13 recipient of the
Cutters Catch of the Week Award, a weekly honor that emerged in 2006 to
highlight the player who makes the best catch of the week. Williams’ catch was a
37-yard touchdown stab with 2:39 left to play in the fourth quarter of
Bossier-Shreveport’s 67-50 road win at Oklahoma City. The rookie from Oklahoma State jumped over an Oklahoma City defender to pull down the deep
pass from QB Gary Cooper. The connection gave the BattleWings a 10-point lead
late in the game, 54-44. Williams also caught the final touchdown of the game
with :33 seconds left and finished with five catches for 68 yards and three
scores. This is the first af2 weekly honor of his career. In eight games played
this season, Williams is currently third on the team in receptions (28) and
receiving touchdowns (10).
JLS Ironman of the Week candidates
included:
Lexington’s John Cooper, Corpus
Christi’s Ivory McCann, South Georgia’s P.J. Berry, Bossier-Shreveport’s Chavis
McCollister, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Rich Musinski, Iowa’s Jack Walker, Jr.,
Green Bay’s Gus Tyson, Boise’s Demond Williams, Tri-Cities’ LaMonte’ Jones,
Amarillo’s Craig Fulton, Jr., Albany’s Vernard Abrams, Tennessee Valley’s Gary
Elliott and Central Valley’s Jomo Wilson.
Schutt Offensive Player of the Week
candidates included:
Lexington’s Eddie Eviston, Tulsa’s
Jeff Hughley, Texas’ Tim Riley,
Spokane’s Andy Olson, Bossier-Shreveport’s Gary Cooper, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s
Larry Kendrick, Peoria’s Phillip Brock, Green Bay’s Colin Drafts, Stockton’s
Andy Collins, Boise’s Royal Gill, Arkansas’ Chris Denney, Albany’s Dan Cole,
Tennessee Valley’s Kevin Eakin and Central Valley’s Clay Groefsema.
ADT Defensive Player of the Week
candidates included:
Tulsa’s Jamar Ransom, Corpus
Christi’s Dwayne Ijames, Spokane’s Kevin McCullough, Oklahoma City’s Andre
Burns, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton’s Rich Musinski, Iowa’s Mike Mathes, Green Bay’s
Joe Sykes, Stockton’s Jajuan Huddleston, Arkansas’ Jamie Hattley, Lubbock’s
Kendrick Walker, Albany’s Brandon Taylor, Tennessee Valley’s Terrance Ford and
Central Valley’s Nathan Munson
(Courtesy: AF2)
