Two rookies, one expected, one out of nowhere, and a second year player looking to insert himself into the league’s MVP conversation were the IFL’s best in week one. There wasn’t much competition to win this week’s awards, but it didn’t make their performances any less impressive.
OFFENSE: EJ HILLARD
The Steamwheelers signal caller was the selling point in the IFL’s kickoff showcase against the Cedar Rapids River Kings last week. Hilliard didn’t put up the huge passing numbers we came to expect from him last season, but took what the River King defense gave him, and that was a lot of high percentage throws, and running lanes near the goal line. The 2019 IFL Offensive Player of the Year completed 8 of 12 passes for 125 yards and 1 TD, and ran for another 47 yards and 3 touchdowns. Hilliard leads the league in rushing yards and touchdowns after week 1.
DEFENSE: DAQUAWN BROWN
Brown is a guy who get very well not be in the IFL in a few weeks. This isn’t because of his lack of skill, it’s for his abundance of skill. Many IFL players have already gotten a chance to move up to the XFL, and Brown may be the next one called. For the time being he’s a member of the San Diego Strike Force and he dominated in week one. Brown made a game-high 10 tackles (2nd in league), a tackle for loss, and interception, and 4 pass breakups (1st in league). By the way, this was his first professional football game.
SPECIAL TEAMS: ZURIL HENDRICK
Hendrick was a relatively unknown player before week one, and if anyone was watching he no longer is. Hendrick was a Division II All-American at Edinboro University and is turning out to be an absolute steal for Bismarck. The rookie made four tackles and an interception in the season opener but made his biggest contributions on special teams, returning two missed field goals for 90 yards, the first went 40 yards down the left sideline, setting up a Bismarck touchdown. The second was the longest play in Buck history, 50 yards for the rookie’s first career touchdown.
The IFL Network 