Tyson Sets af2 and Green Bay Blizzard Records

Gus Tyson set an af2 and Green Bay Blizzard record by recording ten sacks and scoring ten touchdowns during the 2008 season.  Tyson also made the All-af2 Defense First Team for his efforts this season and was named an af2 Ironman for his play on both sides of the ball.

Tyson's record-breaking and historic season helped lead the Blizzard to the 2008 Midwest Division title.  He is the first player in the history of Arena League football to score ten touchdowns and record ten sacks in one season.

Tyson Named to AF2 First Team All-Ironman Squad

Elite Sports Management Client Gus Tyson was named a First Team All-af2 Ironman.  The award dates back to when players were expected to play both offense and defense.

On offense, Tyson scored ten touchdowns and averaged 4.9 yards per carry.

On defense, he registered 34-1/2 tackles, ten sacks, and 12 tackles for loss.

It is the first time the league has honored two-way players with a special award in it's nine year history.

Sykes named ADT Defensive Player of the Year

Green Bay Blizzard DL JOE SYKES has been named the ADT Defensive Player of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches members of the media. This is his second league award as he was also honored as the Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year on Monday.

Sykes made an immediate impact for the Blizzard in 2008. The rookie from Southern University was a big reason behind Green Bay’s Midwest Division title and best regular season finish ever at 11-5. The 6-4, 275-pounder led the af2 in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (19.5) during the regular season. Sykes also finished first in the league in forced fumbles (8) and tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (5). On top of that, he ranked fourth on the team with 49 total tackles (39 solo, 20 asst). He was recently named to the American Conference All-af2 First Team.

Sykes named Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year

Green Bay Blizzard defensive lineman Joe Sykes has been named the 2008 Russell Athletic Lineman of the Year, as selected by a vote of arenafootball2 head coaches and members of the media.

Sykes made an immediate impact for the Blizzard in 2008. The rookie from Southern University was a big reason behind Green Bay’s Midwest Division title and best regular season finish ever at 11-5. The 6-4, 275-pounder led the af2 in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (19.5) during the regular season. Sykes also finished first in the league in forced fumbles (8) and tied for the league lead in fumble recoveries (5). On top of that, he ranked fourth on the team with 49 total tackles (39 solo, 20 asst). He was recently named to the American Conference All-af2 First Team. 

Seven ESM Clients Earn All-af2 Honors

Seven Elite Sports Management Clients earned All-af2 honors.  Three players honored were named to the First Team in the American Conference: offensive lineman Stephenol Santos (Green Bay Blizzard), Raymond McNeil (Green Bay Blizzard), Aqua Etefia (Green Bay Blizzard), defensive lineman Joe Sykes (Green Bay Blizzard), and middle linebacker Gus Tyson.  Defensive backs Donnie Amadi and Nate Green, both of the Green Bay Blizzard were named to the Second Team.

McNeil anchored an offensive line that opened holes for the fourth most rushing yards and was ranked seventh for the highest average per rush in af2 in 2008.  The Blizzard also ranked seventh in rushing touchdowns with 30.

Sykes Named ADT Player of the Week

Joe Sykes (6-4, 275, Southern) was a difference maker on defense to help Green Bay dominate Lexington, 65-37, for a first round home playoff win Friday night.

The rookie defensive lineman from Southern University had a record-setting performance for the Blizzard to help the squad advance to the American Conference Semifinals. Sykes recorded 5-1/2 total tackles (5 solo, 1 asst) and an af2 postseason-record five sacks. His sack total shattered the old mark of 3-1/2 set by former Bossier-Shreveport lineman Elex Reed in 2007.

As a team, Green Bay set a new playoff record with ten sacks against the Horsemen, doubling the old mark of five set in 2001 by the Carolina Rhinos.

Sykes, who also forced two fumbles in the victory, led the af2 in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (19.5) during the regular season.

Midlam Breaks Blizzard Team Record for Interceptions

Rusty Midlam broke the Green Bay Blizzard record for interceptions in a season with 12 in 2008.  Midlam also ranked fourth in af2 in interceptions.

His top game came on July 18, 2008, against the Louisville Fire when he recorded three interceptions.

Midlam also ranks fourth in af2 in passes defended with 21.

Nate Green Thriving in af2

Green Bay Blizzard defensive back and wide receiver Nate Green excelled on the field in 2008.

Green led the Blizzard in tackles with 87-1/2, including 76 solo tackles.  His tackle total was also good enough for eighth in af2.

Green is also the top missed field goal returner on the team and ranks among the top players in the league with nine returns for 207 yards and a touchdown.

His eight interceptions and ten pass breakups were good enough for second on the Blizzard as well. 

Sykes Flourishing in af2

Joe Sykes, an offensive and defensive linemen with the Green Bay Blizzard of Arena Football2, is tearing up the league in 2008.

Sykes was a leader on the Blizzard defense.  Sykes accumulated 19-1/2 sacks to lead af2 and set a new leagues record.  He also led af2 in tackles for loss with 21 and eight forced fumbles.  Sykes recovered five fumbles, good enough for seventh in af2.

Sykes recorded three sacks against the Peoria Pirates on May 30, 2008.

Sykes was third on the Blizzard with 48 tackles in 2008.  He also recorded two safeties. 

Sykes played college football at West Virginia University and played with the Washington Redskins of the National Football League in 2006 and 2007.

Odell Willis - AF2 Week 17 ADT Def. Player of the Week

Willis (6-2, 245, West Georgia) was a menace on defense for Green Bay in the team’s 33-20 home victory in Week 17 against Midwest Division rival Louisville.

The rookie defensive lineman from West Georgia imposed his will on the Fire with a 2008 af2 single-game best and team-record five sacks. Two of Willis’ sacks resulted in safeties. He also had one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and finished with six total tackles (5 solo, 2 asst) on the night.

Willis’ sack total also tied the second highest single-game effort in league history behind former Bossier-Shreveport DL Elex Reed’s six-sack outing in 2007 against Texas.

This is the first league honor of Willis’ career. He has six sacks in two games played with the Blizzard and 12.5 overall including his 6.5 recorded in eight games played with Peoria earlier this season.

Force FB/LB Matt Huebner named to the All-Ironman team

The Arena Football League has announced that Georgia Force (10-6) FB/LB Matt Huebner (pronounced: HEEB-ner) has been named to the All-Ironman Team for his performance this season.

Huebner, 6-4, 280 pounds, posted career highs in rushing attempts (55), rushing yards (136) and rushing scores (11) in 16 games this season in addition to hauling in two catches for 10 yards and two touchdowns. He also collared 14.5 tackles, one tackle for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery on defense.

He currently ranks second on the Force all-time rushing list (274) and his 18 rushing scores also rank second in club history. This honor marks the first time since 2006 (WR/LB Derek Lee) a member of the Force has been named to the All-Ironman Team. Huebner becomes the fourth player in Force franchise history to be named to the All-Ironman Team.