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BALTIMORE, Maryland (August 11, 2009) – The AIFA-champion Reading Express turned in another dominating performance, landing seven players on the Vidswap.com / AIFA All-Pro Team announced today. Reading quarterback Rob Flowers was honored as the league MVP and Offensive Player of the Year, while Express coach and GM Bernie Nowotarski was honored for his achievement in both roles.
Ball-hawking defensive back Damian Daniels of the Columbus Lions was named the AIFA's Defensive Player of the Year. The Lions, indicative of their outstanding season, landed six players on the AIFA's first team. The Wyoming Cavalry, champions of the West and host of AIFA Bowl III, filled five slots on the first unit.
“There were a number of incredible performances in the AIFA this year,” said AIFA co-founder Michael Mink. “The quality of play overall made the selection process a real challenge. This league is deeper in talent than ever, and these awards certainly reflect that.”
Flowers directed a Reading Express offense that lead the league in passing yardage at 233.1 ypg. The second-year Express signal caller lead all AIFA QB's in average yards passing (239.3 ypg) and total offense (259.1 ypg).
Daniels tied for the league lead in interceptions with 17. The Lions tied with the Baltimore Mariners for the lead in AIFA turnover margin (+1.86/game), while Columbus was best in the league in pass efficiency (92.6).
Nowotarski is the first person in league history to be awarded for his efforts as head coach and General Manager in the same season. An original member of the team, Nowotarski took over head coaching duties prior to the 2008 season.
2009 Vidswap.com / AIFA All-Pro Team
AIFA MVP: Rob Flowers, Reading Express
Offensive Player of the Year: Rob Flowers, Reading Express
Defensive Player of the Year: Damian Daniels, Columbus Lions
Head Coach of the Year: Bernie Nowotarski, Reading Express
General Manager of the Year: Bernie Nowotarski, Reading Express
OFFENSE
Quarterbacks:
Rob Flowers, Reading Express
Matt Strand, Wyoming Cavalry
Mike Affleck, Utah Valley Thunder
Running Backs:
Isaiah Grier, Baltimore Mariners
James Jones, Wyoming Cavalry
Wide Receivers:
Carmelo Ocasio, Reading Express
Jay Jackson, Fayetteville Guard
Dante Dudley, Wyoming Cavalry
Akamu Aki, Utah Valley Thunder
Jeff Willis, Reading Express
Offensive Line:
Brandon Hall, Columbus Lions
Chris Nunn, Reading Express
Monreko Crittenden, Columbus Lions
Amos Lamb, South Carolina Force
Mark Stout, Reading Express
Offensive Specialist:
Eugene Goodman, Harrisburg Stampede
SPECIAL TEAMS
Placekicker:
Carlos Martinez, Columbus Lions
Kick Returner:
Trumaine Riley, Fayetteville Guard
DEFENSE
Linebackers:
Austin Bailey, Wyoming Cavalry
Roosevelt Benjamin, Carolina Speed
Mike Woodhouse, D.C. Armor
Justin Rivers, Columbus Lions
Defensive Backs:
Damian Daniels, Columbus Lions
Tanner Tetrault, Wyoming Cavalry
Amar Watson, Baltimore Mariners
Jo Jo Polk, Reading Express
Archie Smith, Harrisburg Stampede
Defensive Line:
Marcus Robinson, D.C. Armor
Wallace Artis, South Carolina Force
Dontre Brown, Harrisburg Stampede
Mike Berry, Columbus Lions
Altariq Brown, Carolina Speed
Defensive Specialist:
Deleon Raynor, Fayetteville Guard
Honorable Mention:
B.J. Hall, Quarterback, New Mexico Wildcats
Nick Romeo, Offensive Line, Harrisburg Stampede
Anthony Peluso, Offensive Line, Erie RiverRats
Silas Daniels, Wide Receiver, Harrisburg Stampede
Jamaal Stokes, Wide Receiver, Baltimore Mariners
Adrian Conway, Offensive Specialist, Ogden Knights
Chris Bolden, Defensive Line, Utah Valley Thunder
Tomasi Kongaika, Defensive Line, Wyoming Cavalry
Neil Wood, Linebacker, Erie RiverRats
Ryan Brown, Linebacker, Florence Phantoms
Omar Bizell, Defensive Back, Carolina Speed
Richard Johnson, Defensive Back, Baltimore Mariners
Jermaine Thaxton, Defensive Specialist, Harrisburg Stampede
Gary Cipra, Placekicker, Baltimore Mariners
Bryce Kennington, Placekicker, Ogden Knights
