Post by rkozak201 on Apr 21, 2008 12:16:54 GMT -5
In previous seasons, there hasn’t been anything quite as scary as the Express offense. Lighting up the scoreboard at will and making embarrassing tapes for opposing defensive backs. However, this season has been a different story as the Express have taken some lumps while implementing a new quarterback and some new receivers. On Saturday night, the Express offense awoke from their slumber and the defense pounded the Phantoms right into the ground during a 66-30 win at Procak Associates Field in the Sovereign Center.
As usual, the visiting team took the early lead as Phantoms’ quarterback Omar Jacobs hooked up with wide receiver A.J. Bennett for a 36-yard strike to give the Phantoms a 6-0 lead. The Express answered back as wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Rob Flowers. Ocasio returned to the lineup after missing the previous four games with a high ankle sprain.
After a Tres Moses touchdown gave the Phantoms the lead again at 12-7, the Express rattled off the next 37 points to give the home team a commanding 38-12 lead. The Express led 37-12 at the half. Highlighting that 37 point barrage was a safety by linebacker Matt Sola in which he met Jacobs head on in the end zone and knocked Jacobs on his back for the two-pointer. Ocasio caught two more passes for scores, 30 and 31 yards respectively on the hookups. Fullback Jason Henley and Flowers each added one-yard touchdown runs and wide receiver Terrance Hudson caught his first AIFA touchdown pass.
With the game locked up, backup quarterback Dan Kelly came on and threw a two-yard touchdown pass to Hudson and he finished off the Express scoring with a five-yard touchdown run. Express kicker Erik Rockhold added two UNO’s and was 0-for-2 on field goal attempts.
Flowers benefited again from a solid offensive line as he was only sacked once. The defensive line forced constant pressure on Jacobs, and even forced him to leave the game with a bruised ankle. Flowers finished 9-of-19 for 162 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions. He also ran for 14 yards and a score. Kelly was 3-of-4 for 9 yards and a TD. Ocasio had six catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Hudson had 5 catches for 44 yards and two scores.
Defensive backs Ronnie Montgomery and Trent Jones each picked off a pass, with Montgomery returning his 42 yards to set up an Express score.
The Express remained tied with Erie at 5-2 in the Northern Division. They will take on their arch-rival, the Canton Legends (0-5), this Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. at Procak Associates Field in the Sovereign Center.