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Whittaker Named To All-Arena First Team

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By CHRIS BERNHARDT JR.

Hernando Today

Published: July 11, 2008

Huey Whittaker, a 1999 graduate of Springstead High, was recently named to the 2008 All-Arena First Team.

After several years of bouncing around various professional football outposts, including stints in NFL training camps, NFL Europe and a season and a half of mostly inactively with the Tampa Bay Storm, Whittaker found a niche with the Arena Football League's Utah Blaze.

The 6-foot-5, 220-pound Whittaker finished the season with 126 receptions for a team-high 1,547 yards, as well as 32 touchdowns. He also ran for eight scores.

"It's exciting," Whittaker said of being named All-Arena. "It's something I didn't anticipate at the beginning of the year. I just wanted to play.

"It's an honor. I'd be happy for it even if it was second team. I'm happy to be part of an elite group."

Whittaker spoke from his home in Riverview, to where he returned after the Blaze lost 49-44 to the Colorado Crush in a June 28 first-round playoff match-up. Whittaker had seven catches for 66 yards and two scores.

Whittaker and teammates J.J. McKelvey and Aaron Boone became the first receiving trio in AFL history to each accumulate 1,500 yards, 100 receptions and 20 touchdowns.

The Blaze started the season 0-9 before winning 6-of-7 to secure the franchise's first home playoff game.

"I think it was a good season," Whittaker said. "I think we did some special things as an offense. We did some things for the first time in league history. I'm not excited about the way we went out, but I've got to get past that."

Despite his stellar season, Whittaker's future remains in limbo. Last week Blaze Head Coach Danny White resigned, putting the franchise in a period of transition.

For now, Whittaker said he will take some time to rest before weighing his options for next season.

2008 AFL ALL-ARENA FIRST TEAM
Name Team Position
Matt D'Orazio                    Philadelphia QB                         
Marlion Jackson Cleveland              FB          
Will Rabatin Columbus             C            
Phil Bogle Philadelphia         OL          
Martin Bibla                       Philadelphia         OL          
Chris Jackson Philadelphia          WR        
HUEY WHITTAKER UTAH WR        
T.T. Toliver Orlando                WR        
A.J. Haglund San Jose K                                            
Aaron McConnell              Colorado               DL
Colston Weatherington Dallas                   DL
Henry Taylor                      New York            DL
Steve Watson San Jose               MLB
DeJuan Alfonzo                 Chicago                JLB
Dennison Robinson Chicago               DB
Marquis Floyd                    San Jose              DB
Billy Parker New York           DB

Sports writer Chris Bernhardt Jr. can be reached at (352) 544-5288 or cbernhardt@hernandotoday.com.

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