OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Scottsdale quarterback Blake Decker had statisticians scouring the record books with his unbelievable performance in Scottsdale’s 77-56 win over New Mexico Military. Decker, a 6’2”, 200-pound sophomore from Mountain View High School in Mesa, Ariz., completed 31-of-51 passes for 689 yards and 10 touchdowns while being intercepted only once. He also scored the Artichokes’ lone rushing touchdown on a three-yard run, finishing with 35 yards rushing on seven carries. Decker wrote his name in Scottsdale’s record book with his 10 TD passes and 11 total scores, along with his 724 yards of total offense. He was involved in each of Scottsdale’s 11 touchdowns on the day. Decker raised his national leading numbers in passing to 435.7 yards per game and 27 TD passes.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK – Taylor Hansen (6’1”, 215-pound sophomore outside linebacker from Bingham High School in West Jordan, Utah) was in on 11 tackles (4 solo) to lead the Mesa defense in their 27-21 win over Phoenix College. Down 14-7 at halftime, Hansen picked off a Phoenix pass in the third quarter and returned it for a touchdown to tie the score at 14. That ignited the Thunderbirds as they scored again three minutes later to take their first lead of the game. Hansen also had a fumble recovery in the Mesa win. 

SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK - Mesa’s DeMarlon Morris returned four punts for a total of 132 yards in the Thunderbirds’ win over Phoenix College. His returns included a 77-yard touchdown. The 5’11”, 180-pound sophomore from Chicago also returned two kickoffs for 40 yards and added an interception on defense.  Morris has returned 13 punts this season for an average of 26.3 yards per return which leads the nation.