LAS VEGAS (AFLWA) – Quarterback Clint Dolezel returned to his home state during the offseason and sparked the Dallas Desperados to the league's best record. For his accomplishments, he has been named the Arena Football League Writers Association (AFLWA) Player of the Year.

"It's always an honor to be awarded for your accomplishments, especially when there are so many talented guys in this league," Dolezel said. "It all starts up front with the line and the protection they give me. Our receivers, you can't say enough about those guys and what they've done.

"But also the defense. In all my years in the league, I've never had a defense that gets as many stops as these guys do. Their works allows the offense to put points on the board. This is truly a team award."

Dolezel's arrival helped the Desperados to an AFL-best 13-3 record, a year after Dallas went 8-7-1 and missed the playoffs. He set a league record with 105 touchdowns, breaking the previous mark of 104 set in 2001 by the New York Dragons' Aaron Garcia. Dolezel also finished with 4,623 yards and a 65.6 completion percentage.

The AFLWA, founded at the start of the 2004 season, is a national organization made up of media members who cover the Arena Football League. Mark Anderson of the Las Vegas Review-Journal is the AFLWA's founder and executive director.