Post by David on Jun 28, 2017 13:24:59 GMT -8
Empire DB John Hardy-Tuliau and DL J.D. Griggs
6.28.17 -
SPOKANE, WA - The Indoor Football League has announced its selections for 2017 All-IFL First and Second teams. Two members of Spokane Empire, DL J.D. Griggs and DB John Hardy-Tuliau, have been recognized as members of the IFL's 2017 All-IFL Teams.
Griggs (6'5'', 270 lbs) was named as the Empire's First Team selection. A veteran free agent signing from the Colorado Crush, Griggs made an immediate impact for the Empire's defensive line this season. He appeared in all 16 games, leading the IFL in sacks with career best 11.5 for a loss of 82 (second most in the IFL). He also lead the IFL with 18.5 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles. In addition to his league leading stats, Griggs finished the season with 46 total tackles (27 solo), 1 fumble recovery and 2 pass breakups.
Hardy-Tuliau (6'0'', 205 lbs) capped off his impressive rookie season as a Second Team selection. The rookie from the University of Hawai'i was the only Empire defensive back to appear in all 16 games. He led the team with 6 interceptions, the tied for the fourth most in the IFL. He ranked second on the Empire with 83 total tackles (50 solo) and his 9 pass breakups ranked third. He also earned IFL Defensive Player of the Week honors in Week 6, recording 9 total tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup against the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles. He also made an impact on the Empire's special teams, blocking a Screaming Eagles extra point and recovering the ball 48 yards for a 2-point conversion in the 53-36 victory.
Griggs and Hardy-Tuliau played tremendous roles for a Spokane team that ranked second in the IFL in total defense, giving up an average of 197.1 yards per game. It was a significant improvement from the 2016 Empire defense, which ranked third in total defense with 240.6 yards per game.
SCtoC was fortunate to have exclusive Q & A Player Surveys featuring Griggs and Hardy-Tuliau. You can find both player surveys HERE (Griggs) and HERE (Hardy-Tuliau).
The Arizona Rattlers, Sioux Falls Storm, and Wichita Falls Nighthawks led the way with six representatives each on the All-IFL teams
The complete First & Second All-IFL teams are as follows:
First Team All-IFL Offense
QB - Charles McCullum (Wichita Falls)
RB - Darrell Monroe (Arizona)
WR - Jordan Jolly (Wichita Falls)
WR - Brady Roland (Iowa)
WR - Damond Powell (Cedar Rapids)
OL - Darius Savage (Nebraska)
C - Rashad Mungro (Sioux Falls)
OL - Lamar Made (Arizona)
First Team All-IFL Defense
DL - J.D. Griggs (Spokane)
DL - Ra'Shawde Myers (Iowa)
DL - Chris McAllister (Arizona)
LB - Javicz Jones (Iowa)
DB - Trey Wafford (Nebraska)
DB - Allen Chapman (Arizona)
DB - Rashard Smith (Sioux Falls)
DB - James Calhoun (Salt Lake)
First Team All-IFL Special Teams
K - Rockne Belmonte (Wichita Falls)
KR - Tyler Williams (Wichita Falls)
Second Team All-IFL Offense
QB - Travis Partridge (Iowa)
RB - Tyler Williams (Wichita Falls)
WR - Kyle Kaiser (Colorado)
WR - Devin Mahina (Salt Lake)
WR - Marquel Willis (Green Bay)
OL - Kyle Bryant (Sioux Falls)
C - Damian Love (Arizona)
OL - D'Angelo McCray (Iowa)
Second Team All-IFL Defense
DL - Eze Obiora (Nebraska)
DL - Claude Davis (Sioux Falls)
DL - Walter Thomas (Wichita Falls)
LB - Tyler Knight (Sioux Falls)
DB - Jamie Bender (Iowa)
DB - Matt Hermanson (Sioux Falls)
DB - John Hardy-Tuliau (Spokane)
DB - Manny Asprilla (Green Bay)
Second Team All-IFL Special Teams
K - Sawyer Petre (Arizona)
KR - Daniel Lindsey (Colorado)
- DKH
(image credits: (L) Zach Edwards Photography, (R) Jeffrey D Allred / Deseret News)
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