Post by rkozak201 on Apr 7, 2008 14:02:46 GMT -5
The Reading Express probably wishes that every team they played from now on was undefeated, as they have handled two such teams in back-to-back weeks. After defeating Erie two Mondays ago 44-34, the Express ran their winning streak to three after rallying past the rival Huntington Heroes 57-38 last Saturday night. With the win, the Express moved into a tie with Erie for first place with a 3-1 record, but more importantly, it gave them a win over a team that had a head coach and several players from the Lakeland Thunderbolts. The Thunderbolts defeated the Express 54-49 in AIFA Bowl I last season.
From the opening kickoff, it looked as if the Express were fired up to take down the Heroes. Defensive back Trent Jones returned the opening kickoff the length of the field to give the Express a quick 6-0 lead. That lead would not last long as the Heroes rattled off 21 straight points to take a commanding 21-6 lead. Quarterback Rob Flowers added a six-yard touchdown run and kicker Erik Rockhold added a 28-yard field goal to leave the Express trailing 28-16 at the half.
Many Express fans probably wanted to be a fly on the wall in the locker room to see how the team was going to turn things around in the final 30 minutes.
Flowers started off the 20-point third quarter with a dazzling 35-yard touchdown run down the sidelines that got the crowd right back into it. He then delivered two touchdown passes to wide receiver Shawn Foxworth, the last being a spectacular diving catch by Foxworth that gave the Express a 36-28 lead. Flowers was also the beneficiary of a solid offensive line that gave Flowers plenty of time in the pocket and gave him several large running lanes.
In the fourth quarter, it was the Express defense that put on a show. The defensive line made life uncomfortable for Heroes’ quarterback Darnell Kennedy, which in turn caused Kennedy to throw three interceptions. The final pick, by defensive back Michael Baldwin, was returned 49-yards for the game-clinching score. Baldwin had another interception earlier in the contest as did fellow defensive back Marcus Sargeant. Flowers capped off the final margin of victory with a two-yard scamper into the end zone as time expired.
Flowers finished the game 15-of-25 for 126 yards, with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had seven carries for 83 yards and three scores. Foxworth had eight catches for 74 yards and two scores.
The Express will travel to take on the Columbus Lions this Saturday at 7 p.m. The Lions sit at 2-2 in the AIFA Eastern Division. The next Express home game will be Saturday April 19 at 7 p.m. against the Florence Phantoms.