Post by The Picks Commissioner on Apr 15, 2007 10:23:34 GMT -5
www.tribune-democrat.com/sports/local_story_104235109.html?keyword=topstory
Riverhawks throttle Demolition, snap streak
By SAMUEL LEGG
The Tribune-Democrat
It was a well-deserved victory for all parties involved Saturday night.
From the front office down to the coaches, and most importantly, to the players and the fans.
The Johnstown Riverhawks earned a 40-8 win over the Danville Demolition at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, giving Riverhawks coach Tony Penna Jr. his first professional indoor-football victory.
“We just tried to come out and give the people of Johnstown a nice show,” said lineman Sam Barber, a 1993 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School.
The Riverhawks broke a three-game skid by winning for the first time since a 43-13 victory over the Pittsburgh RiverRats on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Johnstown defense held Danville to 93 total offensive yards.
The Riverhawks had two defensive stands in the second half, stopping the Demolition on 1st-and-goal from the 5 and again from the 3.
Riverhawks safety Trent Jones summed up the defensive effort, which included a Randy Ott 14-yard interception return for a score and a special-teams tackle in the end zone for a point.
“One part of the machine rushes and the other part covers,” said Jones, who also had a 5-yard rushing touchdown.
Danville’s Phil Cunningham booted the opening kickoff through the uprights for a 1-0 lead. The Demolition didn’t score again until there were 25 seconds left in the game, a span of 59:35.
“The defense played phenomenal, relentless,” said Penna, who took over the head coaching duties on April 4, a day after Steven G. Folmar’s resignation. “I can’t say enough about those guys, the secondary and up front. We had constant pressure and the secondary was all over them.”
The Riverhawks are 4-5 overall and 2-3 at home in the American Indoor Football Association.
Johnstown kicker Jason Cherry accounted for nine points, including four PATs, a pair of rouges and a 28-yard field goal.
“Cherry had a great night,” Penna said.
Riverhawks quarterback Kevin Weidl, a former IUP standout making his first professional start, threw three touchdown passes. Quenteen Robinson hauled in a 45-yard pass on the Riverhawks’ first offensive play and also scored on a late 4-yard reception.
Michael Caputo added a 9-yard catch from Weidl, who completed 9 of 18 passes for 157 yards.
“We threw him right into the fire there,” said Penna, who was given a contract extension through the 2008 season on Friday. “He has all the tools. He’s going to be real good. With one or two days of practice, it’s really tough.”
The Illinois squad lost its starting quarterback, Willie Davis, at 9:05 of the second quarter to a leg injury.
Davis gave way to backup quarterback Cunningham. Davis finished his night 2 for 6 passing for 12 yards. The two quarterbacks combined to go 3-of-9 for 20 yards in the first half. The expansion Demolition are 1-6 overall and 0-3 on the road.
The Riverhawks have a bye in Week 12 to prepare for home games against Erie on April 28 and Tallahassee on May 5, closing the regular-season home schedule.
“We’re going to work really hard over the next few weeks,” Penna said. “All the excuses are gone now.”
Riverhawks throttle Demolition, snap streak
By SAMUEL LEGG
The Tribune-Democrat
It was a well-deserved victory for all parties involved Saturday night.
From the front office down to the coaches, and most importantly, to the players and the fans.
The Johnstown Riverhawks earned a 40-8 win over the Danville Demolition at Cambria County War Memorial Arena, giving Riverhawks coach Tony Penna Jr. his first professional indoor-football victory.
“We just tried to come out and give the people of Johnstown a nice show,” said lineman Sam Barber, a 1993 graduate of Greater Johnstown High School.
The Riverhawks broke a three-game skid by winning for the first time since a 43-13 victory over the Pittsburgh RiverRats on St. Patrick’s Day.
The Johnstown defense held Danville to 93 total offensive yards.
The Riverhawks had two defensive stands in the second half, stopping the Demolition on 1st-and-goal from the 5 and again from the 3.
Riverhawks safety Trent Jones summed up the defensive effort, which included a Randy Ott 14-yard interception return for a score and a special-teams tackle in the end zone for a point.
“One part of the machine rushes and the other part covers,” said Jones, who also had a 5-yard rushing touchdown.
Danville’s Phil Cunningham booted the opening kickoff through the uprights for a 1-0 lead. The Demolition didn’t score again until there were 25 seconds left in the game, a span of 59:35.
“The defense played phenomenal, relentless,” said Penna, who took over the head coaching duties on April 4, a day after Steven G. Folmar’s resignation. “I can’t say enough about those guys, the secondary and up front. We had constant pressure and the secondary was all over them.”
The Riverhawks are 4-5 overall and 2-3 at home in the American Indoor Football Association.
Johnstown kicker Jason Cherry accounted for nine points, including four PATs, a pair of rouges and a 28-yard field goal.
“Cherry had a great night,” Penna said.
Riverhawks quarterback Kevin Weidl, a former IUP standout making his first professional start, threw three touchdown passes. Quenteen Robinson hauled in a 45-yard pass on the Riverhawks’ first offensive play and also scored on a late 4-yard reception.
Michael Caputo added a 9-yard catch from Weidl, who completed 9 of 18 passes for 157 yards.
“We threw him right into the fire there,” said Penna, who was given a contract extension through the 2008 season on Friday. “He has all the tools. He’s going to be real good. With one or two days of practice, it’s really tough.”
The Illinois squad lost its starting quarterback, Willie Davis, at 9:05 of the second quarter to a leg injury.
Davis gave way to backup quarterback Cunningham. Davis finished his night 2 for 6 passing for 12 yards. The two quarterbacks combined to go 3-of-9 for 20 yards in the first half. The expansion Demolition are 1-6 overall and 0-3 on the road.
The Riverhawks have a bye in Week 12 to prepare for home games against Erie on April 28 and Tallahassee on May 5, closing the regular-season home schedule.
“We’re going to work really hard over the next few weeks,” Penna said. “All the excuses are gone now.”
