DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The ThunderBirds won their second game in franchise history last Thursday and on Tuesday, the team celebrated another arenafootball2 Player of the Week honor when QB Matt Bohnet was named the af2 Schutt Offensive Player of the Week.  This award recognizes the best performance by an offensive player from the previous week’s action.  Bohnet is the second ThunderBirds player to be honored in the last two weeks joining DB Jocques Richardson who won the ADT Defensive Player of the Week award last week. 

Bohnet (6-3, 235, Eastern Michigan) led the ThunderBirds to a 62-53 home win in Week 7 against the Albany Conquest. The southpaw quarterback from Eastern Michigan completed 22-of-34 passes (64.7 completion percentage) for 290 yards and eight touchdowns (tops in the af2 last week) with just one interception to help direct Daytona Beach to its first win at the Ocean Center and second straight victory overall. This is the first weekly league honor of Bohnet’s career. He has led the ThunderBirds to a 2-1 record in his three starts with the club.

Bohnet tossed five touchdown passes to WR Lamar Hughes and three touchdown passes to WR Jeremy Grier.  In the last two games, Bohnet has thrown a staggering 12 touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores.

“I have been after this kid for a couple of years,” said Head Coach Gary Compton.  “He is a great player and an even greater person.  Since he’s gotten here we are 2-1.  Having a player like Matt and receiving recognition like he and Jocques have gotten in the last two weeks helps us as an organization,” said Compton.   

When asked about the honor, Bohnet was quick to recognize the offensive players around him.  “The receivers are making great plays and my offensive line is doing a terrific job blocking for me.  It makes my job easier when my receivers can get open and make great catches.  Also, I am well protected and my offensive line has played great.”

Bohnet and the ThunderBirds will be back in action on Sunday afternoon at the Ocean Center when they take on the Boise Burn.  Kickoff is at 3:00 pm.