Post by Free Agent Fan on Feb 2, 2007 16:09:37 GMT -5
It;s time for the test
By SAMUEL LEGG
The Tribune-Democrat
The unknown.
That's what has Johnstown coach Steven G. Folmar concerned when his untested Riverhawks meet defending champion Canton tonight at Cambria County War Memorial Arena at 7:05, kicking off the American Indoor Football Association season.
What are these guys going to do when the lights come on?said Folmar, who is in his first season with the Riverhawks. I feel very confident coming out of practices with them, but you don't know how they burn until you put them in the fire.
You don't know how good you are. You don't know how tough your team is until somebody gets in their face, mentally and physically.
The Legends last loss came on April 23 at home, when a red-hot Reading club dropped Canton 56-18.
Second-year coach Bobby Olive has former Syracuse University quarterback Kevin Mason back. Mason was a major contributor in Canton's run into the playoffs after joining the team midway through last season. Also back is kicker J.R. Cipra, who played for the Erie Freeze before becoming a Legend.
We are looking forward to coming down to Johnstown and defending our title,Olive said. I expect Johnstown to bring its A game. They were a very tough team last year.
Folmar went with experience when he settled on a starting quarterback a preseason battle between Waylon Davis and Jarrod Highberger but would be fine with the No. 2 guy taking snaps.
Waylon Davis is going to be our starter going into our first game, Folmar said. He saw some time last year with the Riverhawks.
But I'd be just as happy going in with Jarrod Highberger.
Davis played at Clarion University and took snaps last season in Johnstown's 51-16 Week 2 win at Syracuse. Highberger starred at Blairsville High School and later played at Carnegie Mellon University.
Johnstown also returns third-year kicker Jason Cherry, fullback/linebacker Mike Feeney, linemen Densville Saunders and Sam Barber, and Terrance Hudson, Trent Jones and Quenteen Robinson at wide receiver/defensive back.
You're going to see a crisper team than you have in the past, Folmar said. A lot of the faces have changed, but I think we've got a great core back.
Robinson returns for his fifth year of professional indoor football and third season as a Riverhawk.
This is a great place to play,said Robinson, who also is the teams general manager. I played high school football here, and I've been fortunate enough to continue to do well, and I hope to do the same this season.
Canton and Johnstown are two of the original six franchises from the Atlantic Indoor Football League. Erie is the only other franchise remaining from the AIFL.
The Riverhawks swept the Legends in 2005, winning 59-52 at home on April 23, and 61-55 at Canton on June 17.
The franchises split last seasons two meetings, with each team winning on its home turf. Canton defeated Johnstown 62-48 before the Riverhawks enacted some revenge in a 50-36 win over the Legends.
Canton went on to defeat the Rome (Ga.) Renegades 61-40 in the AIFL championship last season and finished 13-4.
The Legends were 10-4 during the regular season before winning three straight playoff games.
Canton won its openers last season over Steubenville 66-33. The following week in their season opener, the Riverhawks beat the Stampede 21-14 before finishing the season at 8-6 and out of the playoffs.
By SAMUEL LEGG
The Tribune-Democrat
The unknown.
That's what has Johnstown coach Steven G. Folmar concerned when his untested Riverhawks meet defending champion Canton tonight at Cambria County War Memorial Arena at 7:05, kicking off the American Indoor Football Association season.
What are these guys going to do when the lights come on?said Folmar, who is in his first season with the Riverhawks. I feel very confident coming out of practices with them, but you don't know how they burn until you put them in the fire.
You don't know how good you are. You don't know how tough your team is until somebody gets in their face, mentally and physically.
The Legends last loss came on April 23 at home, when a red-hot Reading club dropped Canton 56-18.
Second-year coach Bobby Olive has former Syracuse University quarterback Kevin Mason back. Mason was a major contributor in Canton's run into the playoffs after joining the team midway through last season. Also back is kicker J.R. Cipra, who played for the Erie Freeze before becoming a Legend.
We are looking forward to coming down to Johnstown and defending our title,Olive said. I expect Johnstown to bring its A game. They were a very tough team last year.
Folmar went with experience when he settled on a starting quarterback a preseason battle between Waylon Davis and Jarrod Highberger but would be fine with the No. 2 guy taking snaps.
Waylon Davis is going to be our starter going into our first game, Folmar said. He saw some time last year with the Riverhawks.
But I'd be just as happy going in with Jarrod Highberger.
Davis played at Clarion University and took snaps last season in Johnstown's 51-16 Week 2 win at Syracuse. Highberger starred at Blairsville High School and later played at Carnegie Mellon University.
Johnstown also returns third-year kicker Jason Cherry, fullback/linebacker Mike Feeney, linemen Densville Saunders and Sam Barber, and Terrance Hudson, Trent Jones and Quenteen Robinson at wide receiver/defensive back.
You're going to see a crisper team than you have in the past, Folmar said. A lot of the faces have changed, but I think we've got a great core back.
Robinson returns for his fifth year of professional indoor football and third season as a Riverhawk.
This is a great place to play,said Robinson, who also is the teams general manager. I played high school football here, and I've been fortunate enough to continue to do well, and I hope to do the same this season.
Canton and Johnstown are two of the original six franchises from the Atlantic Indoor Football League. Erie is the only other franchise remaining from the AIFL.
The Riverhawks swept the Legends in 2005, winning 59-52 at home on April 23, and 61-55 at Canton on June 17.
The franchises split last seasons two meetings, with each team winning on its home turf. Canton defeated Johnstown 62-48 before the Riverhawks enacted some revenge in a 50-36 win over the Legends.
Canton went on to defeat the Rome (Ga.) Renegades 61-40 in the AIFL championship last season and finished 13-4.
The Legends were 10-4 during the regular season before winning three straight playoff games.
Canton won its openers last season over Steubenville 66-33. The following week in their season opener, the Riverhawks beat the Stampede 21-14 before finishing the season at 8-6 and out of the playoffs.
