(Phoenix, AZ) The IFL has announced that two Tucson Sugar Skulls have been selected for ‘Week-17 Player of the Week’ honors, for their performance in Tucson’s home victory over the Duke City Gladiators on Saturday, 63-59.
Week 17 Offensive Player of the Week – WR Ryan Balentine
WR Ryan Balentine hauled in nine receptions for 130 yards and three touchdowns in the win on Saturday.
The IFL’s all-time leader in receiving yardage (3,097 YDS) was the x-factor in Tucson’s come from behind victory versus Duke City. His yardage total Saturday is good enough for fourth best by any IFL wide receiver this season.
Balentine’s longest reception of the game came with 1:28 remaining in the fourth quarter, when the sure handed receiver hauled in a 40-yard score to pull his team to within three points, 59-56.
The ‘Week-17 Offensive Player of the Week’ (OPOW) selection, for Balentine, is his first award of the season and is the third IFL OPOW award selection of Balentine’s career.
On the season, Balentine has amassed 52 receptions for 653 yards and 12 TDs in 11 games played.
Week 18 Special Teams Player of the Week – K Jimmy Camacho
Kicker Jimmy Camacho went 7 for 7 in PAT attempts and was 2 for 2 in field goal tries versus Duke City on Saturday.
The win marked another perfect FG/PAT performance for Camacho (2), and he now holds the IFL’s three longest kicks this season (see below).
Camacho’s solid kicking allowed Tucson to continuously close in on Duke City’s lead, eventually leading to the extra point that gave Tucson a four-point lead with seven seconds remaining in the game.
The 50-yard field goal connection, at 13:14 of the fourth quarter, is the tied for the second longest field goal in the IFL this season.
In five games played this season, Camacho is six of 11 in field goal attempts and has made 22 of 24 PATs.
This is the fourth ‘IFL Special Teams Player of the Week’ award for Camacho, and the fourth total for the Sugar Skulls this season (Croft / Week-6, Harley / Week -14, Balentine / Week-17).
IFL Rankings – Field Goals
No.1, Jimmy Camacho – 54 yards (6/26 at NAZ)
T-No.2, Jimmy Camacho – 50 yards (8/14 vs. Duke City)
T-No.3, Jimmy Camacho – 49 yards (7/3 vs. Arizona)
Tucson’s next game is this Saturday against the Northern Arizona Wranglers in Prescott Valley at 6:05 p.m. (Arizona Time).
The game can be viewed on the Indoor Football League’s YouTube channel.
Press Release Courtesy of the Tucson Sugar Skulls – Chris Cadeau
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