Post by Gene on May 13, 2007 4:31:47 GMT -5
5/13/2007
Ocasio struts stuff as Express rolls on
Reading High grad Carmelo Ocasio has another highlight-reel performance in Reading’s conference-clinching rout of Johnstown.
By Matt Malinowski
Reading Eagle
Berks County, PA - On a night when there was plenty to celebrate and a plethora of highlight-reel fodder, perhaps the night’s niftiest play came on a mere 3-yard catch by Reading Express receiver Carmelo Ocasio.
The degree of difficulty was high, as was the degree of showmanship.
Ocasio fully extended to haul in a pass in the back corner of the end zone, slammed into the padded wall and flipped into the crowd. An official raced over to see if Ocasio held on, but before the official signaled touchdown Ocasio emerged from the sea of fans and broke into a bit of a celebration.
This may seem like a unique occurrence, but Ocasio is making a habit of being a spectacle amongst the spectators. He’s made such catches several times over the last few games, some even more spectacular than the aforementioned in Reading’s 73-13 American Indoor Football Association win over Johnstown Saturday at the Sovereign Center.
In fact, when asked about his grab, Ocasio shrugged his shoulders and said with a little chuckle, “I had a tougher one where I was running full speed 40 yards.”
While Ocasio had another big performance, finishing with eight catches for 82 yards and four touchdowns, the talk of the night was the Express winning its 10th straight to clinch its second straight Northern Conference regular season title.
Reading is happy, but by no means satisfied, with its accomplishment. The Express, which lost in the conference finals last year, will be chugging away, full steam ahead, until it reaches its final goal of a league championship.
“This is just one thing we have to check off on our checklist,” said Ocasio, a Reading High grad. “The biggest thing is the league championship, and the way we are playing right now we should have no problem getting there. But we have to finish.”
It didn’t take long before Johnstown was finished Saturday. The Riverhawks fumbled the opening snap and Reading’s Mike Schwebel recovered at the 2. Isiah Grier scored on the next play for an 8-0 lead.
Two minutes later Joe Macaluso buried Johnstown quarterback Steve Sweeney, who did not return. Ocasio made his nifty grab several minutes later for a 15-0 lead, and that was all the defense needed.
Johnstown scored just one offensive touchdown, was held to five first downs and finished with 92 total yards. Reading recovered two fumbles, one of which was returned for a 32-yard score by Armar Watson in the third quarter.
Reading High grad Ian Cooper had six catches for 42 yards and two scores, and he also recorded an interception. Quarterback Tom Stetzer threw six touchdown passes for the Express, who played without linebacker Matt Sola, who is out for 4-to-6 weeks with a broken toe.
“Every single game we play we treat as a championship game,” Express coach Kelly Logan said. “That’s why we are doing so well. We are not going to let up.
“We have a lot of character on our team. Everyone plays a big part. We are humble, and that’s what’s great about our football team.”
•Contact Matt Malinowski at 610-371-5064 or mmalinowski@readingeagle.com.
Ocasio struts stuff as Express rolls on
Reading High grad Carmelo Ocasio has another highlight-reel performance in Reading’s conference-clinching rout of Johnstown.
By Matt Malinowski
Reading Eagle
Berks County, PA - On a night when there was plenty to celebrate and a plethora of highlight-reel fodder, perhaps the night’s niftiest play came on a mere 3-yard catch by Reading Express receiver Carmelo Ocasio.
The degree of difficulty was high, as was the degree of showmanship.
Ocasio fully extended to haul in a pass in the back corner of the end zone, slammed into the padded wall and flipped into the crowd. An official raced over to see if Ocasio held on, but before the official signaled touchdown Ocasio emerged from the sea of fans and broke into a bit of a celebration.
This may seem like a unique occurrence, but Ocasio is making a habit of being a spectacle amongst the spectators. He’s made such catches several times over the last few games, some even more spectacular than the aforementioned in Reading’s 73-13 American Indoor Football Association win over Johnstown Saturday at the Sovereign Center.
In fact, when asked about his grab, Ocasio shrugged his shoulders and said with a little chuckle, “I had a tougher one where I was running full speed 40 yards.”
While Ocasio had another big performance, finishing with eight catches for 82 yards and four touchdowns, the talk of the night was the Express winning its 10th straight to clinch its second straight Northern Conference regular season title.
Reading is happy, but by no means satisfied, with its accomplishment. The Express, which lost in the conference finals last year, will be chugging away, full steam ahead, until it reaches its final goal of a league championship.
“This is just one thing we have to check off on our checklist,” said Ocasio, a Reading High grad. “The biggest thing is the league championship, and the way we are playing right now we should have no problem getting there. But we have to finish.”
It didn’t take long before Johnstown was finished Saturday. The Riverhawks fumbled the opening snap and Reading’s Mike Schwebel recovered at the 2. Isiah Grier scored on the next play for an 8-0 lead.
Two minutes later Joe Macaluso buried Johnstown quarterback Steve Sweeney, who did not return. Ocasio made his nifty grab several minutes later for a 15-0 lead, and that was all the defense needed.
Johnstown scored just one offensive touchdown, was held to five first downs and finished with 92 total yards. Reading recovered two fumbles, one of which was returned for a 32-yard score by Armar Watson in the third quarter.
Reading High grad Ian Cooper had six catches for 42 yards and two scores, and he also recorded an interception. Quarterback Tom Stetzer threw six touchdown passes for the Express, who played without linebacker Matt Sola, who is out for 4-to-6 weeks with a broken toe.
“Every single game we play we treat as a championship game,” Express coach Kelly Logan said. “That’s why we are doing so well. We are not going to let up.
“We have a lot of character on our team. Everyone plays a big part. We are humble, and that’s what’s great about our football team.”
•Contact Matt Malinowski at 610-371-5064 or mmalinowski@readingeagle.com.
