Post by Free Agent Fan on Mar 5, 2007 14:37:54 GMT -5
This is the same article from the Erie Times. Same reporter, they just changed the title.
Riverhawks burn host Freeze
By BOB JARZOMSKI
bob.jarzomski@timesnews.com
Dave Arnold thought two Erie Freeze teams showed up Sunday evening at Tullio Arena. Unfortunately, the first team that the head coach called an “embarrassment” proved to be too much for the inspired second team to overcome.
The Freeze, presented the chance for a last-minute victory in a game they trailed from the start, fell to the Johnstown Riverhawks 44-42 in an AIFA game in front of 2,700 fans.
The Riverhawks, routed in their last visit to Erie late last season to eliminate them from the playoffs, improved to 2-2, while the thawing Freeze dropped to 1-3.
“This was the team that knocked us out last year,” Johnstown wide receiver/defensive back Terrence Hudson said. “Yep, we were inspired tonight because of that.”
Rookie Riverhawks quarterback Jarrod Highberger threw six touchdown passes – three to Quenteen Robinson and two to Hudson – with four of those touchdowns coming on runs after the catch mainly because of missed tackles.
“It’s my first year,” Highberger said. “It’s a quick game, and my teammates are helping me through it. The receivers made outstanding catches.”
On the other side, Erie’s rookie quarterback Randall Secky had a disastrous evening, thanks in part to Johnstown’s Trent Jones, who had two interceptions.
In the first half, Secky completed just 7 of 21 throws and his outing came to a close late in the third quarter when Shawn Williams forced a fumble and ran it 9 yards for a score, and a 37-19 Johnstown lead. Arnold inserted wide receiver Darmel Whitfield, who almost engineered a comeback.
Almost.
Whitfield, who threw three touchdown passes, including two to veteran Manny Johnson, but was intercepted by Ronnie Montgomery on the Johnstown 7-yard line with 12 seconds remaining.
“I think I’m going to make that switch,” Arnold said of Whitfield taking over for the struggling Secky. “He’s a playmaker, and can make things happen. Unfortunately at the end, he made a bad decision and tried to force it, and we had timeouts left. But Mel is probably going to be the guy.”
Highberger, who played at Division III Carnegie-Mellon, took over early in the season and is enjoying the benefits of his elusive receivers.
“I’m a happy guy at quarterback, with receivers that can run and an offensive line that can block,” Highberger said. “They’re making my transition from the outdoor game to the indoors much easier.”
In the first half, the Freeze trailed only 18-12 despite mistakes, penalties, and the ejection of running back Kevin Scott for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“It was embarrassing, especially in the first half,” Arnold said. “There were stupid penalties, atrocious tackling, selfish players doing their own thing. In the second half, a different team showed up.”
Riverhawks burn host Freeze
By BOB JARZOMSKI
bob.jarzomski@timesnews.com
Dave Arnold thought two Erie Freeze teams showed up Sunday evening at Tullio Arena. Unfortunately, the first team that the head coach called an “embarrassment” proved to be too much for the inspired second team to overcome.
The Freeze, presented the chance for a last-minute victory in a game they trailed from the start, fell to the Johnstown Riverhawks 44-42 in an AIFA game in front of 2,700 fans.
The Riverhawks, routed in their last visit to Erie late last season to eliminate them from the playoffs, improved to 2-2, while the thawing Freeze dropped to 1-3.
“This was the team that knocked us out last year,” Johnstown wide receiver/defensive back Terrence Hudson said. “Yep, we were inspired tonight because of that.”
Rookie Riverhawks quarterback Jarrod Highberger threw six touchdown passes – three to Quenteen Robinson and two to Hudson – with four of those touchdowns coming on runs after the catch mainly because of missed tackles.
“It’s my first year,” Highberger said. “It’s a quick game, and my teammates are helping me through it. The receivers made outstanding catches.”
On the other side, Erie’s rookie quarterback Randall Secky had a disastrous evening, thanks in part to Johnstown’s Trent Jones, who had two interceptions.
In the first half, Secky completed just 7 of 21 throws and his outing came to a close late in the third quarter when Shawn Williams forced a fumble and ran it 9 yards for a score, and a 37-19 Johnstown lead. Arnold inserted wide receiver Darmel Whitfield, who almost engineered a comeback.
Almost.
Whitfield, who threw three touchdown passes, including two to veteran Manny Johnson, but was intercepted by Ronnie Montgomery on the Johnstown 7-yard line with 12 seconds remaining.
“I think I’m going to make that switch,” Arnold said of Whitfield taking over for the struggling Secky. “He’s a playmaker, and can make things happen. Unfortunately at the end, he made a bad decision and tried to force it, and we had timeouts left. But Mel is probably going to be the guy.”
Highberger, who played at Division III Carnegie-Mellon, took over early in the season and is enjoying the benefits of his elusive receivers.
“I’m a happy guy at quarterback, with receivers that can run and an offensive line that can block,” Highberger said. “They’re making my transition from the outdoor game to the indoors much easier.”
In the first half, the Freeze trailed only 18-12 despite mistakes, penalties, and the ejection of running back Kevin Scott for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“It was embarrassing, especially in the first half,” Arnold said. “There were stupid penalties, atrocious tackling, selfish players doing their own thing. In the second half, a different team showed up.”
