CHICAGO – Pittsburgh Power wide receiver Prechae Rodriguez has been awarded Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week, while San Jose Sabercats Mac linebacker Francis Maka has been named Riddell Defensive Player of the Week and New Orleans VooDoo wide receiver Larry Beavershas been named J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week for Week 14 of the 2014 NET10 Wireless Arena Football League season. In addition to these awards, the AFL is also awarding the Cutters Catch of the Week and AFL Highlight of the Week. LA KISS wide receiver Donovan Morgan has been awarded the Cutters Catch of the Week, while the AFL Highlight of the Week has been awarded to Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard.
RUSSELL ATHLETIC OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Rodriguez (6-4, 215, Auburn) caught 13 passes for 144 yards and five touchdowns in Pittsburgh’s 57-56 victory over the Philadelphia Soul in Week 14. The third-year pro has hauled in at least three touchdowns passes in four of his five games played this season. His five touchdown grabs in the game ties a career-high.
RIDDELL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Maka (6-2, 255, Hawaii) helped the SaberCats clinch a playoff berth by recording a career-high 3.5 sacks in San Jose’s 47-37 victory over the Spokane Shock in Week 14. The four-year veteran led the way for the SaberCats pass rush, which saw five different players combine for eight sacks against the Shock.
J. LEWIS SMALL PLAYMAKER OF THE WEEK
Beavers (5-11, 180, Wesley) returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in New Orleans’ 46-62 loss to theCleveland Gladiators in Week 14. He also hauled in a touchdown pass late in the game as a receiver. He finished the night with a season-high 318 all-purpose yards, 116 of which came on offense, with another 202 tallied in the return game. Beavers will be awarded a timepiece crafted by J. Lewis Small for his efforts.
CUTTERS CATCH OF THE WEEK
Morgan (6-3, 225, Louisiana-Lafayette) made a spectacular one-handed touchdown grab while being knocked over the back wall in LA’s 69-61 victory over the Portland Thunder in Week 14. He finished the game with eight receptions for 63 yards and three scores. “Captain” Morgan leads the KISS in every receiving category this season, totaling 98 catches for 1,185 yards and 22 touchdowns on the year. He will receive a Cutters hat and shirt in recognition of his highlight reel catch.
AFL HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Hippeard (6-3, 205, Virginia-Wise) tucked the ball and ran for an 11-yard game-winning touchdown in Tampa Bay’s 62-56 overtime victory over the Iowa Barnstormers last week. The touchdown run was Hippeard’s third of the game, a career-high for the second-year signal-caller. The Storm are now 4-0 since Hippeard returned from injury last month.
Russell Athletic Offensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Nick Davila, Cleveland’sShane Austin, Iowa’s J.J. Raterink, LA’s Samora Goodson, Orlando’s Greg Carr and San Jose’s Nathan Stanley.
Riddell Defensive Player of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Marquis Floyd, Cleveland’s Marrio Norman, Iowa’s Tramain Thomas, LA’s Beau Bell, Orlando’s Anthony Shutt and Pittsburgh’s Brandon Freeman.
J. Lewis Small Playmaker of the Week candidates included: Arizona’s Kerry Reed, Iowa’s De’Mon Glanton, Jacksonville’s Maurice Williams, LA’s Samora Goodson, Orlando’s Gerald Young, Philadelphia’s Emery Sammons and San Jose’s Dominique Curry.
The Arena Football League is also awarding the MVP of the Week, where fans are given the opportunity to select the winner. Candidates include Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila, Cleveland Gladiatorsquarterback Shane Austin and Iowa Barnstormers quarterback J.J. Raterink. Fans will have 24 hours to vote on ArenaFootball.com beginning at 1 p.m. ET on Wednesday, June 18. The winner will be announced on Thursday, June 19.
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