From Tampa Bay Storm PR – The Arena Football League announced (Tuesday) that Tampa Bay Storm quarterback Randy Hippeard has been named the offensive player of the week, while jack linebacker Alvin Ray Jackson was named the defensive player of the week.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Hippeard (6-foot-3, 205 lbs., UVA-Wise) accounted for nine touchdowns this past weekend in the Storm’s 62-61 victory over the Cleveland Gladiators. Completing 78.7% (37-of-47) of his passes for 387 yards and seven touchdowns, Hippeard engineered a comeback which saw the Storm overcome a 20-point deficit.
In addition to Hippeard’s seven passing touchdowns, he would also add two on the ground including the game-winning score with :03 seconds left in regulation.
The four-year veteran leads the League with 22.7 rushing yards per game, 294.7 passing yards per game and leads all quarterbacks with 19 passing touchdowns. This is his first weekly award for the 2017 season.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Jackson (6-foot-1, 200 lbs., Albany State) played a vital role in Tampa Bay’s comeback versus Cleveland. The six-year veteran would tally 6.5 tackles, but it was a forced fumble in the second half that turned the tide for the Storm. With 7:15 remaining in the third quarter, Jackson stripped Cleveland quarterback Arvell Nelson of the football on the one-yard line.
The defensive play would spark both the offense and defense, helping the team complete a 20-point comeback after starting the game down 27-7.
Alvin Ray Jackson photo courtesy Tampa Bay Storm