MCKINNEY, GIDDENS MAKE WIFL ALL-LEAGUE TEAM
2007-06-22 13:35:32
2007-06-22 13:35:32
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – News of two of his players making the World Indoor Football League’s inaugural all-league team left Daytona Beach Thunder coach Leon Bright smiling Friday.
It was all but a given that wide receiver Cory McKinney would be named one of the league’s top four receivers, but Bright got an additional surprise when linebacker Joe Giddens also earned a spot on the defensive side.
“I’m very proud of both,” Bright said. “Not only for what they did on the field, but what they do off the field as well. Both are outstanding men in addition to being students of the game.”
McKinney finished second to Augusta’s Marvin Stone in every major receiving category and scoring, but managed to win the league receiving yardage title with 1,473 yards. He had 91 catches and 32 touchdowns.
McKinney was using his stint at the Thunder to learn how to become a possession receiver.
“I didn’t know how good he would be,” Bright said of McKinney. “He came to practice and worked hard to get to the next level.
Giddens was an all-American Indoor Football League Southern Conference second team selection in 2006. His average of 4.0 tackles per game was second in the league.
“When Joe is out there, he gives you 100 percent,” Bright said.
Four other Thunder players – Barry Wagner, Bo Bartik, Nick Allison and EJ Gordon – received votes from the panel of coaches, WIFL staff and fans.
The Columbus Lions and Augusta Spartans each placed seven players on the all-league team, while the Osceola Ghostrider have five representatives. Columbus’ Eugene Goodman was recognized as both a running back and kick returner.
The entire team is listed on www.wifl.us
It was all but a given that wide receiver Cory McKinney would be named one of the league’s top four receivers, but Bright got an additional surprise when linebacker Joe Giddens also earned a spot on the defensive side.
“I’m very proud of both,” Bright said. “Not only for what they did on the field, but what they do off the field as well. Both are outstanding men in addition to being students of the game.”
McKinney finished second to Augusta’s Marvin Stone in every major receiving category and scoring, but managed to win the league receiving yardage title with 1,473 yards. He had 91 catches and 32 touchdowns.
McKinney was using his stint at the Thunder to learn how to become a possession receiver.
“I didn’t know how good he would be,” Bright said of McKinney. “He came to practice and worked hard to get to the next level.
Giddens was an all-American Indoor Football League Southern Conference second team selection in 2006. His average of 4.0 tackles per game was second in the league.
“When Joe is out there, he gives you 100 percent,” Bright said.
Four other Thunder players – Barry Wagner, Bo Bartik, Nick Allison and EJ Gordon – received votes from the panel of coaches, WIFL staff and fans.
The Columbus Lions and Augusta Spartans each placed seven players on the all-league team, while the Osceola Ghostrider have five representatives. Columbus’ Eugene Goodman was recognized as both a running back and kick returner.
The entire team is listed on www.wifl.us
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