Post by Gene on Jun 3, 2007 1:21:38 GMT -5
Romping Express are ready for playoff train
Reading sets a franchise scoring record, drubbing Danville in what it hopes is a prelude to its postseason.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA - The Reading Express offense is steaming into the playoffs.
Reading scored a franchise-record 83 points Saturday night in its American Indoor Football Association regular season finale to wreck the Danville Demolition 83-41 in the Sovereign Center.
Reserve quarterback E.J. Nemeth, No. 4 receiver Jesse Dorais and defensive back Armar Watson joined the usual cast as the Express won for the eighth time without a loss this season at home.
The Sovereign Center is where the Express (14-2) will open the playoffs Saturday against the Pittsburgh RiverRats.
By winning its second straight regular season Northern Conference title, the Express also would be home Saturday, June 16, for the conference championship game if it defeats Pittsburgh.
The AIFA championship game will be Saturday, June 23, in Florence, S.C.
“We polished up before the first round of the playoffs,” said running back Isaiah Grier, who carried three times for 16 yards and three touchdowns. “We did what we needed to do today.”
Despite running only 11 offensive plays in the first half, the Express built a 42-19 lead on the Demolition (1-12) thanks to Watson, who returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Watson returned his first pick 18 yards for a score in the first quarter to put Reading ahead to stay. On the final play of the first half, Watson raced 44 yards with the second of his three interceptions.
Dorais, filling in for the injured Shawn Foxworth, contributed a 21-yard touchdown reception and finished with four catches for 60 yards.
“Everybody ahead of me plays well,” said Dorais, who played at Albright. “I’m just lucky to get a chance. You’ve got to step up and play in this league when you get the chance.”
That’s what starting quarterback Tom Stetzer and wide receivers Carmelo Ocasio and Ian Cooper have done to help the Express win 27 of their 32 games in the past two seasons.
Stetzer completed 12-of-18 for 178 yards and five touchdowns. Ocasio had six catches for 139 yards and four touchdowns, including a franchise-record 49-yarder from Nemeth on the final play of the game.
Cooper had two catches for 28 yards and a score.
“Any of our receivers can play this game,” Express coach Kelly Logan said. “I’m real proud that I can put any receiver in at any time and score points. I have confidence in all our receivers.”
Even kicker Erik Rockhold showed he fine-tuned for the postseason by going 11-for-11 on extra points. The conversion wasn’t attempted after Reading’s final touchdown.
In addition to throwing a 49-yard touchdown pass, Nemeth showed his hard-nosed running ability with a 7-yard touchdown scramble on four-and-goal in the fourth quarter.
It all added up to making the Express look pretty difficult to derail heading into the postseason.
“I’m just glad that we got the win in convincing fashion to roll into the playoffs,” Grier said. “We’re real confident this year. It’s ours to lose.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Reading sets a franchise scoring record, drubbing Danville in what it hopes is a prelude to its postseason.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Reading, PA - The Reading Express offense is steaming into the playoffs.
Reading scored a franchise-record 83 points Saturday night in its American Indoor Football Association regular season finale to wreck the Danville Demolition 83-41 in the Sovereign Center.
Reserve quarterback E.J. Nemeth, No. 4 receiver Jesse Dorais and defensive back Armar Watson joined the usual cast as the Express won for the eighth time without a loss this season at home.
The Sovereign Center is where the Express (14-2) will open the playoffs Saturday against the Pittsburgh RiverRats.
By winning its second straight regular season Northern Conference title, the Express also would be home Saturday, June 16, for the conference championship game if it defeats Pittsburgh.
The AIFA championship game will be Saturday, June 23, in Florence, S.C.
“We polished up before the first round of the playoffs,” said running back Isaiah Grier, who carried three times for 16 yards and three touchdowns. “We did what we needed to do today.”
Despite running only 11 offensive plays in the first half, the Express built a 42-19 lead on the Demolition (1-12) thanks to Watson, who returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
Watson returned his first pick 18 yards for a score in the first quarter to put Reading ahead to stay. On the final play of the first half, Watson raced 44 yards with the second of his three interceptions.
Dorais, filling in for the injured Shawn Foxworth, contributed a 21-yard touchdown reception and finished with four catches for 60 yards.
“Everybody ahead of me plays well,” said Dorais, who played at Albright. “I’m just lucky to get a chance. You’ve got to step up and play in this league when you get the chance.”
That’s what starting quarterback Tom Stetzer and wide receivers Carmelo Ocasio and Ian Cooper have done to help the Express win 27 of their 32 games in the past two seasons.
Stetzer completed 12-of-18 for 178 yards and five touchdowns. Ocasio had six catches for 139 yards and four touchdowns, including a franchise-record 49-yarder from Nemeth on the final play of the game.
Cooper had two catches for 28 yards and a score.
“Any of our receivers can play this game,” Express coach Kelly Logan said. “I’m real proud that I can put any receiver in at any time and score points. I have confidence in all our receivers.”
Even kicker Erik Rockhold showed he fine-tuned for the postseason by going 11-for-11 on extra points. The conversion wasn’t attempted after Reading’s final touchdown.
In addition to throwing a 49-yard touchdown pass, Nemeth showed his hard-nosed running ability with a 7-yard touchdown scramble on four-and-goal in the fourth quarter.
It all added up to making the Express look pretty difficult to derail heading into the postseason.
“I’m just glad that we got the win in convincing fashion to roll into the playoffs,” Grier said. “We’re real confident this year. It’s ours to lose.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
