Post by Gene on Apr 5, 2008 6:42:14 GMT -5
Muhlenberg and KU product Rob Flowers, who has taken over as the Express starting QB, is beginning to feel more comfortable.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Rob Flowers knew everything wouldn’t be rosy during his first indoor football season.
The former Muhlenberg and Kutztown University quarterback realized the Reading Express had big shoes to fill when two-year starter Tom Stetzer decided not to return.
Flowers also found himself in a battle with former Albright star John Port. But four games into the season, the starting job belongs to Flowers.
“It feels much more comfortable,” Flowers said. “I feel as though the team responds to myself a little bit so I feel a lot more comfortable stepping onto the field.”
Flowers, a 1999 Muhlenberg grad, made his first start Monday night, leading the Express to a 44-34 win over the previously undefeated Erie RiverRats
He’ll get his second start against another undefeated team tonight at 7:05 when the Express (2-1) hosts the Huntington Heroes (3-0) in the Sovereign Center.
The 6-2, 230-pound Flowers thrilled the home crowd two weeks ago when he came off the bench and flashed his running ability with a 26-yard touchdown run.
In Monday’s win in Erie, Flowers showed off his arm with three long touchdown passes in the second half to rally the Express from a 17-11 halftime deficit.
“That made me feel really good to hit that first deep ball,” Flowers said. “I needed that for my confidence.”
Express coach Bernie Nowotarski said he has seen that confidence growing in Flowers during his battle for the starting position. Port, who started the first three games, including an exhibition win over Arizona, has temporarily left the team for personal reasons.
That leaves former Lebanon Valley quarterback Dan Kelly as the Express backup.
“We’ve got to let Rob get the feel for the offense and begin to control it,” Nowotarski said. “Rob stays really controlled. He has a great sense about himself on the field. He keeps his cool and he’s very easy to deal with on the field.”
Flowers realizes he still has much to learn to measure up to Stetzer, who led the Express to the American Indoor Football Association championship game last year. But Flowers says he has made major strides in the first four weeks.
“I’m working on that touch thing,” Flowers said. “It’s coming along. The guys are really working with me, being patient with me and we’re coming together as a team. That’s the most important thing.”
Flowers completed 11-of-22 passes for 121 yards, highlighted by touchdown passes of 30 yards to Jeff Willis and 26 and 23 yards to Shawn Foxworth.
With that success under his belt and the intense competition with Port behind him, Flowers and the Express are ready to move forward.
“We’re all grown men,” Flowers said. “Competition is a good thing. John supported me and I supported John throughout that time. Hopefully these guys trust in what I can do, and I’m not going to let these guys down. I’m going to come out here and work hard every day.”
Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=87038
