Post by rkozak201 on Mar 6, 2008 6:34:56 GMT -5
The Associated Press
Sam Bryant, who last played at Pitt in 2006, says he was looking for an opportunity to get back on the field.
Sam Bryant, a Reading High grad who played at the University of Pittsburgh, is looking forward to “an exciting season.”
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Sam Bryant found a way to combine two of the things he loves most.
The former Reading High standout has returned to his hometown to play football as a defensive back for the Reading Express.
Bryant, who last played for the University of Pittsburgh in 2006, is looking to get back on the field in front of family and friends.
He’ll get a chance Saturday night at 7 when the Express opens its third season against the Baltimore Mariners in a nationally televised American Indoor Football Association game from Procak Associates Field in the Sovereign Center.
“I’ve been away for a while,” said Bryant, who earned four letters at Pittsburgh. “I think a lot of people are ready to see me.”
The happiest person to see and hear from Bryant was Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski, who has been looking for talented local players to help the Express contend for a league championship.
“He’s the real deal; I’m glad he’s here,” Nowotarski said. “He called me from Pittsburgh and said, ‘Coach, I want to come play.’ I couldn’t have been happier about that decision.”
Bryant, who had a couple of tryouts with NFL and Arena Football League teams, hasn’t played in a game since his senior year at Pittsburgh, when he had three interceptions and 40 tackles.
He was looking for an opportunity to get back on the field.
“I still was working out like I was trying to go to the NFL,” Bryant said. “I came here so I could get some film, get something on tape and get back into the rhythm of things.”
Bryant (6-1, 210) couldn’t have come at a better time. One of the Express’ biggest needs this season was at defensive back with the departure of Armar Watson to the af2 and Anthony Jackson, who failed his team physical.
Bryant is expected to be in the defensive backfield with fan favorite Marcus Sargeant and newcomer Michael Baldwin, a former Kutztown University player.
“I think he’s as good as anybody I’ve watched,” Nowotarski said of Bryant. “He’s as good as any D-back I’ve ever been associated with.
“I think he’s going to be exciting to watch. I’m thrilled for his family that they get to come see him play.”
Friends and foes saw plenty of Bryant during his career at Reading High. As a two-way starter, Bryant was named to the 2001 Lancaster-Lebanon League first team at running back and defensive back.
In addition to earning the Defensive Back of the Year award, Bryant was a force on offense with 821 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns. He was voted an Associated Press Big School All-State third team running back after averaging 10.1 yards per carry.
Bryant said he heard a little about the Express on his visits home. Since becoming a part of the team, he has been informed by Express veterans about the high goals they have for the 2008 season.
In the first two seasons Reading has won 29 of 35 games and qualified for the playoffs twice.
After losing to Canton in the Northern Conference championship game to end its inaugural season, the Express won the conference title last year and advanced to the AIFA championship game, finishing 16-3.
“People are talking about going undefeated,” Bryant said. “A lot of people think we have good enough athletes to go undefeated. It’s going to be a pretty exciting season.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
