Post by Gene on Feb 16, 2008 6:53:43 GMT -5
New coach, new QB for Express
Bernie Nowotarski will take over as Reading’s head coach. The quarterback position is wide open.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
2/16/2008
The Reading Express will have a little different look when it opens its third season three weeks from today.
Several of the players who helped the Express win 29 of 35 games in the first two seasons will be back for a third in the American Indoor Football Association.
But there will be visible changes, most notably at quarterback and head coach.
Bernie Nowotarski, the Express’ third head coach in three years, said two-year starting quarterback Tom Stetzer won’t return this year.
That leaves the position open for competition among former Albright standout John Port, former Muhlenberg High and Kutztown University quarterback Rob Flowers and former Lebanon Valley quarterback Dan Kelly.
“I think they will all be starting even,” Nowotarski said.
In addition to Stetzer, the Express lost 2007 backup quarterback E.J. Nemeth. Chris Thompson, the backup quarterback in 2006, will be the offensive coordinator.
The Express also lost a few other players from last year’s Northern Conference championship team that played in the AIFA title game, most notably two-year starting wide receiver Ian Cooper of Reading.
“Whatever we lost we’ve replaced with somebody bigger, stronger and faster,” Nowotarski said.
Nowotarski also could throw in the word local.
Former Central Catholic star receiver Yardon Brantley, former Reading High standouts Sam Bryant and Roger Hall and former Boyertown and Kutztown University star Jason Henley all have joined the Express.
Nowotarski said Henley will enter camp as the No. 1 running back.
Competition is expected to be extremely hot at wide receiver and defensive back.
Brantley joins a corps of receivers that includes two-year starters Carmelo Ocasio and Shawn Foxworth, along with Mores Manoyrine and Strath Haven speedster Josh Hannum.
Bryant and Hall join a deep and experienced defensive backfield that includes crowd favorites Marcus Sargeant and Armar Watson.
“It’s going to be extremely tough at some positions,” Nowotarski said. “There’s going to be some talent that won’t make the team.”
About 40 players are expected to report for the first team meeting today and attend a Royals game tonight in the Sovereign Center.
Camp will open Tuesday, and Nowotarski said he expects to trim the roster to 30 players after a scrimmage next Saturday at Grand Slam.
The season opens Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m. with a nationally televised home game from the Sovereign Center against the Baltimore Mariners.
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Bernie Nowotarski will take over as Reading’s head coach. The quarterback position is wide open.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
2/16/2008
The Reading Express will have a little different look when it opens its third season three weeks from today.
Several of the players who helped the Express win 29 of 35 games in the first two seasons will be back for a third in the American Indoor Football Association.
But there will be visible changes, most notably at quarterback and head coach.
Bernie Nowotarski, the Express’ third head coach in three years, said two-year starting quarterback Tom Stetzer won’t return this year.
That leaves the position open for competition among former Albright standout John Port, former Muhlenberg High and Kutztown University quarterback Rob Flowers and former Lebanon Valley quarterback Dan Kelly.
“I think they will all be starting even,” Nowotarski said.
In addition to Stetzer, the Express lost 2007 backup quarterback E.J. Nemeth. Chris Thompson, the backup quarterback in 2006, will be the offensive coordinator.
The Express also lost a few other players from last year’s Northern Conference championship team that played in the AIFA title game, most notably two-year starting wide receiver Ian Cooper of Reading.
“Whatever we lost we’ve replaced with somebody bigger, stronger and faster,” Nowotarski said.
Nowotarski also could throw in the word local.
Former Central Catholic star receiver Yardon Brantley, former Reading High standouts Sam Bryant and Roger Hall and former Boyertown and Kutztown University star Jason Henley all have joined the Express.
Nowotarski said Henley will enter camp as the No. 1 running back.
Competition is expected to be extremely hot at wide receiver and defensive back.
Brantley joins a corps of receivers that includes two-year starters Carmelo Ocasio and Shawn Foxworth, along with Mores Manoyrine and Strath Haven speedster Josh Hannum.
Bryant and Hall join a deep and experienced defensive backfield that includes crowd favorites Marcus Sargeant and Armar Watson.
“It’s going to be extremely tough at some positions,” Nowotarski said. “There’s going to be some talent that won’t make the team.”
About 40 players are expected to report for the first team meeting today and attend a Royals game tonight in the Sovereign Center.
Camp will open Tuesday, and Nowotarski said he expects to trim the roster to 30 players after a scrimmage next Saturday at Grand Slam.
The season opens Saturday, March 8, at 7 p.m. with a nationally televised home game from the Sovereign Center against the Baltimore Mariners.
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.