Lawrence, KS. – With ten regular season games left and only Sioux City and Dodge City having clinched playoff berths the final games will be critical in determining the teams in the playoffs and seeding. Three players helped their teams down the road to the playoffs in Week 12 and are being recognized as CPIFL Players of the Week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Chuck Wright, Lincoln Haymakers
Wright has been on fire since joining the Haymakers in Week Three. After an 0-2 start to the season, Lincoln has gone 5-3 to find themselves in the thick of the playoff hunt. In Week 12 vs. Omaha, Wright continued his steady play going 14-of-19 passing for 168 yards and five touchdowns. In seven games as a starter Wright has completed 61.8% of his passes (leads the league) and has 31 touchdown passes (third in the league). Wright and the Haymakers ride their three-game winning streak into Salina on Friday.
Defensive Player of the Week: Jesse Robertson Jr, Lincoln Haymakers
Robertson made his presence felt early in the Haymakers game vs. Omaha in Week 11. With the score tied at seven early in the second quarter, Robertson scooped up an Omaha fumble and returned it 43 yards for the touchdown. Lincoln went on to win the game by a score of 67-56. Robertson added seven tackles and an interception in the game as well. The interception came late in the 3rd quarter with Lincoln down by one and led to a touchdown for the Haymakers. Robertson is tied for fourth in the league in tackles with 67. Lincoln travels to Salina on Friday in a game featuring huge playoff implications.
Special Teams Player of the Week: Ira Autrey, Salina Bombers
For the second week in a row Autrey is being recognized as Special Teams Player of the Week. In Week 12 vs. Oklahoma, Autrey returned four kicks for 121 yards for an average of 30.25 yards per return. With Salina ahead by only four points in the 3rd quarter, Autrey took a kick 50 yards for a key touchdown in the Bomber 60-40 victory over the Defenders. Salina will look to solidify their hold on fourth place in the standings as they host Lincoln on Friday.
Week 13 action in the CPIFL begins on Friday night with Lincoln travelling to Salina. On Saturday Wichita visits Dodge City, Omaha hosts Bloomington and Sioux City travels to Kansas. Stay connected with the CPIFL all season by following us on Twitter @CPIFL and becoming a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/cpifl.