Post by rkozak201 on Mar 8, 2008 7:07:41 GMT -5
With several veterans and some key newcomers, Reading hopes to clear the final hurdle this season, starting tonight against Baltimore.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Nearly eight months of waiting is almost over.
The Reading Express will open its third season tonight with American Indoor Football Association title aspirations and a chip on its shoulder.
The Express kicks off the 2008 season at 7 tonight against the Baltimore Mariners on Procak Associates Field in the Sovereign Center, its first game since a 54-49 loss to Lakeland in the AIFA championship game in June.
“I think about it every day, losing that game down in South Carolina,” said linebacker Matt Sola, back for his third season. “This couldn’t come quick enough. I feel bad for the team coming in here.”
The Express begins the season with several of the players who helped the team to a 29-6 record over the last two seasons.
The most notable change will be at quarterback, the position vacated by two-year starter Tom Stetzer.
Just who will start at QB might not be known until hours before kickoff tonight.
General manager and first-year head coach Bernie Nowotarski said it has been a close battle throughout training camp among Albright product John Port, former Muhlenberg High and Kutztown University star Rob Flowers and former Lebanon Valley QB Dan Kelly.
“It’s a shooting match right now,” Nowotarski said. “There are certain situations where each of them do something that’s unique to the team.
“Rob can run real well and moves around real well and can throw. John also moves around well for a big guy and has a great arm. And Dan’s looked good.”
Regardless of who’s at quarterback, several talented wide receivers are ready to make big plays.
Two-year starters Carmelo Ocasio and Shawn Foxworth return and will be joined by former Central Catholic standout Yardon Brantley, who spent time in the Arena and arena2 leagues.
“To be honest, we have more talent than we’ve had any other year position by position,” said Foxworth, a former Millersville University standout. “We’ve just got to bring that together and play as a team.”
The biggest talent overload is at wide receiver. Despite the loss of two-year starter Ian Cooper, the Express has six wide receivers on its 30-man roster.
“That’s good to have that depth,” Foxworth said. “I just think this year you’ll be seeing the ball spread around a lot more. I’ll be patient and wait my turn. I just want to win a championship.”
The offensive line also has been reworked due to the loss of tackle Greg Justice and center Scott Blum.
Two-year starter Mark Stout (6-7, 330) will be joined by Chris Nunn (6-10, 360) and Adam Hoffman (6-5, 365).
“I’m hoping we’re prepared,” Nowotarski said. “We’ve done everything you can in 20 days. We’re definitely ready for the season to start.”
Nowotarski said he knows little about the Mariners, Among the players they have announced signing are wide receiver Dante Carter, who played with the Express during its first season, and former Penn State linebacker Neal Wood.
Regardless of who else the Mariners bring to Reading, Sola said the Express will be ready.
“I feel bad for them because we’ve got a bad taste to get out of our mouths, a lot of punishment to give,” Sola said. “We added talent. They’ve just got to come in and perform, and they’ll follow suit to what we’ve done in the past two years.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Nearly eight months of waiting is almost over.
The Reading Express will open its third season tonight with American Indoor Football Association title aspirations and a chip on its shoulder.
The Express kicks off the 2008 season at 7 tonight against the Baltimore Mariners on Procak Associates Field in the Sovereign Center, its first game since a 54-49 loss to Lakeland in the AIFA championship game in June.
“I think about it every day, losing that game down in South Carolina,” said linebacker Matt Sola, back for his third season. “This couldn’t come quick enough. I feel bad for the team coming in here.”
The Express begins the season with several of the players who helped the team to a 29-6 record over the last two seasons.
The most notable change will be at quarterback, the position vacated by two-year starter Tom Stetzer.
Just who will start at QB might not be known until hours before kickoff tonight.
General manager and first-year head coach Bernie Nowotarski said it has been a close battle throughout training camp among Albright product John Port, former Muhlenberg High and Kutztown University star Rob Flowers and former Lebanon Valley QB Dan Kelly.
“It’s a shooting match right now,” Nowotarski said. “There are certain situations where each of them do something that’s unique to the team.
“Rob can run real well and moves around real well and can throw. John also moves around well for a big guy and has a great arm. And Dan’s looked good.”
Regardless of who’s at quarterback, several talented wide receivers are ready to make big plays.
Two-year starters Carmelo Ocasio and Shawn Foxworth return and will be joined by former Central Catholic standout Yardon Brantley, who spent time in the Arena and arena2 leagues.
“To be honest, we have more talent than we’ve had any other year position by position,” said Foxworth, a former Millersville University standout. “We’ve just got to bring that together and play as a team.”
The biggest talent overload is at wide receiver. Despite the loss of two-year starter Ian Cooper, the Express has six wide receivers on its 30-man roster.
“That’s good to have that depth,” Foxworth said. “I just think this year you’ll be seeing the ball spread around a lot more. I’ll be patient and wait my turn. I just want to win a championship.”
The offensive line also has been reworked due to the loss of tackle Greg Justice and center Scott Blum.
Two-year starter Mark Stout (6-7, 330) will be joined by Chris Nunn (6-10, 360) and Adam Hoffman (6-5, 365).
“I’m hoping we’re prepared,” Nowotarski said. “We’ve done everything you can in 20 days. We’re definitely ready for the season to start.”
Nowotarski said he knows little about the Mariners, Among the players they have announced signing are wide receiver Dante Carter, who played with the Express during its first season, and former Penn State linebacker Neal Wood.
Regardless of who else the Mariners bring to Reading, Sola said the Express will be ready.
“I feel bad for them because we’ve got a bad taste to get out of our mouths, a lot of punishment to give,” Sola said. “We added talent. They’ve just got to come in and perform, and they’ll follow suit to what we’ve done in the past two years.”
•Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
