Post by The Picks Commissioner on May 5, 2007 11:37:47 GMT -5
www.tribune-democrat.com/cnhi/tribunedemocrat/prosports/local_story_125002110.html
Defensive stopper giving Riverhawks an offensive threat
BY MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat
His primary position is “defensive specialist,” and Trent Jones typically is responsible for covering the opposition’s top receivers or the man in motion.
But the IUP product has found his niche in the Johnstown Riverhawks’ AIFA offense, too.
“We’ve been using Trent Jones a lot more on offense,” Riverhawks coach Tony Penna Jr. said. “We’re going to keep sprinkling him in there at running back and sometimes in the slot. He’s such an athlete we have to get the ball in his hands. Last week he caught a touchdown pass, he ran for one. He’s so versatile.”
The Riverhawks (5-5) will play the Tallahassee Titans (8-2) at 7 tonight at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
On offense, Jones has 10 carries for 20 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also has two catches, including an 18-yard touchdown reception.
“It’s not a big stretch for me to move back there,” the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Jones said. “I’m just getting a little bit more involved in the offense. Defense, I’ve been a staple all year. If they continue to get me the ball on offense, I’ll continue to make plays. I don’t mind that role as long as we’re winning and I can help the team win in any capacity.”
Jones leads the Riverhawks with 41.5 tackles, including 33 solo stops. He has seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
“We’re just playing as a cohesive unit,” Jones said. “We’ve bought into the new coaching staff and the change a few weeks back. We’ve all bought into the system.”
Last stop: The Riverhawks will play their final regular-season home game tonight before ending the schedule with road games at Reading, Canton, Montgomery and Baltimore.
“We understand it’s our last home game on the schedule,” Riverhawks GM/receiver/quarterback Quenteen Robinson said. “We’re coming together as a team. Everybody believes in the concept. Regardless of who is under center, the guys will be behind me.”
Tough decision: The Titans already have clinched an AIFA playoff berth, but the team has been labeled “financially fragile” by the Tallahassee media.
That much was evident in a story that appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat on Thursday.
“Titans players and coaches did not receive their paychecks after Tuesday night’s practice, which is the usual time they are paid,” the article stated. “The paychecks instead will be deferred to later in the season.”
Tallahassee’s game tonight at Johnstown apparently factored into the pay situation.
“The option was ride a bus and get paid or fly up,” Titans Director of Operations Misty Sullivan was quoted as saying in The Democrat.
“(Coach Kevin) Jackson and Sullivan decided it was better for the team to fly from Jacksonville to Pittsburgh for (tonight’s) game at Johnstown instead of making the 1,000-mile trip by bus,” the article stated.
One more year: The Pittsburgh RiverRats extended Shawn Liotta’s contract as coach and director of football operations through the 2008 season on Thursday.
Defensive stopper giving Riverhawks an offensive threat
BY MIKE MASTOVICH
The Tribune-Democrat
His primary position is “defensive specialist,” and Trent Jones typically is responsible for covering the opposition’s top receivers or the man in motion.
But the IUP product has found his niche in the Johnstown Riverhawks’ AIFA offense, too.
“We’ve been using Trent Jones a lot more on offense,” Riverhawks coach Tony Penna Jr. said. “We’re going to keep sprinkling him in there at running back and sometimes in the slot. He’s such an athlete we have to get the ball in his hands. Last week he caught a touchdown pass, he ran for one. He’s so versatile.”
The Riverhawks (5-5) will play the Tallahassee Titans (8-2) at 7 tonight at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
On offense, Jones has 10 carries for 20 rushing yards and four touchdowns. He also has two catches, including an 18-yard touchdown reception.
“It’s not a big stretch for me to move back there,” the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Jones said. “I’m just getting a little bit more involved in the offense. Defense, I’ve been a staple all year. If they continue to get me the ball on offense, I’ll continue to make plays. I don’t mind that role as long as we’re winning and I can help the team win in any capacity.”
Jones leads the Riverhawks with 41.5 tackles, including 33 solo stops. He has seven interceptions, 11 pass breakups and one fumble recovery.
“We’re just playing as a cohesive unit,” Jones said. “We’ve bought into the new coaching staff and the change a few weeks back. We’ve all bought into the system.”
Last stop: The Riverhawks will play their final regular-season home game tonight before ending the schedule with road games at Reading, Canton, Montgomery and Baltimore.
“We understand it’s our last home game on the schedule,” Riverhawks GM/receiver/quarterback Quenteen Robinson said. “We’re coming together as a team. Everybody believes in the concept. Regardless of who is under center, the guys will be behind me.”
Tough decision: The Titans already have clinched an AIFA playoff berth, but the team has been labeled “financially fragile” by the Tallahassee media.
That much was evident in a story that appeared in the Tallahassee Democrat on Thursday.
“Titans players and coaches did not receive their paychecks after Tuesday night’s practice, which is the usual time they are paid,” the article stated. “The paychecks instead will be deferred to later in the season.”
Tallahassee’s game tonight at Johnstown apparently factored into the pay situation.
“The option was ride a bus and get paid or fly up,” Titans Director of Operations Misty Sullivan was quoted as saying in The Democrat.
“(Coach Kevin) Jackson and Sullivan decided it was better for the team to fly from Jacksonville to Pittsburgh for (tonight’s) game at Johnstown instead of making the 1,000-mile trip by bus,” the article stated.
One more year: The Pittsburgh RiverRats extended Shawn Liotta’s contract as coach and director of football operations through the 2008 season on Thursday.
