The Indoor Football League is proud to announce the Players of the Week for week fifteen of the 2023 XV season. Arizona Quarterback, Drew Powell, is the Offensive Player of the Week. Bay Area Linebacker, Wesley Bowers, earns Defensive Player of the Week. Special Teams Player of the Week goes to Charles Headen III, Kick Returner for the Frisco Fighters.
Drew Powell – OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
This is the third time in 2023 that Drew Powell has been named Offensive Player of the week. What makes this even more impressive is that he was injured for six of the fifteen weeks. As a matter of fact, Powell has now earned three of the last four offensive player of the week nods. It’s no coincidence that Powell’s recent high level of play has been mirrored by an impressive string of wins by the Rattlers. Winners of six in a row, they are the hottest team in the league as we enter the final three weeks of the regular season. This week Powell put on a show in front of a raucous home crowd as the Rattlers hosted San Diego. He finished the night going 17/23 for 223 yards and six touchdowns through the air. On the ground he added 44 yards and another score.
Wesley Bowers – DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
When the top teams from each conference meet later in the season, expectations are high. So, when Bay Area quarterback and MVP contender, Dalton Sneed, was a late scratch due to illness, the Panthers defense knew they had to step up. While it wasn’t enough to win, the Defense held the potent Frisco offense to just 45 points including a third quarter shutout. Panther Linebacker, Wesley Bowers, led the way. Bowers finished the night with four tackles, an interception, and a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown on the first drive of the game.
Charles Headen III – SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Frisco had to feel pretty good when they realized they were facing a Bay Area Panthers team that was missing their quarterback and leader, Dalton Sneed. But it certainly wasn’t easy for Frisco to earn the win. They entered the fourth quarter down by eight points. They needed solid play from all phases. The special teams did their part. Return specialist, Charles Headen III averaged 25 yards per return. None bigger than his first return of the night. The Frisco offense fumbled on their first drive giving Bay Area a defensive touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. Headen flipped the momentum quickly by returning the ensuing kickoff 58 yards to tie the score one minute later.
The action continues as week 16 approaches. There will be four games and once again, every one holds playoff implications. It kicks off with Frisco (11-2) hosting Sioux Falls (7-5) on Friday and ends with Massachusetts (9-3) traveling to Arizona (9-4) on Sunday. All games can be streamed on the IFL YouTube channel. Get more information at www.GoIFL.com.