Central Valley High School grad Ja’Quan Gardner has been named the Alliance of American Football’s Offensive Player of the Week.
The announcement was made earlier today.
Gardner set multiple records Sunday night while leading the San Diego Fleet to a 31-11 home win over the San Antonio Commanders.
“I’m just going out there and having fun,” said Ja’Quan, a 5-foot-7 206-pound running back.
Gardner ran for an AAF single-game record 122 yards.
He raced 83 yards for a TD in the third quarter. It was the longest scoring play in Alliance history.
He became the first player in AAF history to post back-to-back 100-plus yard games.
“We all contribute,” said Gardner, who was quick to praise his teammates.
Gardner has a league-leading 281 rushing yards through the AAF’s first three games.
He’s averaging 8 yards per carry, the highest mark for a starting running back.
“Our goal at the beginning of the year was to have the best backfield in the league,” said Gardner, who along with fellow former NCAA Division-II star Terrell Watson, combined to rush for 195 yards on 25 carries versus San Antonio. “I’m just trying to make the best out of my opportunities.”