Post by rkozak201 on May 10, 2009 10:39:13 GMT -5
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Carmelo Ocasio learned that putting up impressive offensive numbers isn't the key to happiness.
Ocasio had one of the biggest games of his four-year career with the Express three weeks ago. But he left the Sovereign Center with an empty feeling after a loss to the Baltimore Mariners.
On Saturday night, Ocasio capped another big game with a highlight-reel touchdown catch that helped the Express defeat the Fayetteville Guard 63-50 in an American Indoor Football Association game.
"It felt good this time," Ocasio said. "We put it together offensively. The third week in a row we scored in the 60s and we didn't struggle in the third quarter."
The Express (7-2) won its third straight as quarterback Rob Flowers completed 20-of-26 passes for 266 yards and six touchdowns.
Three of the TD strikes went to Ocasio, including a leaping one-handed grab in the final minute that clinched the victory.
"I was fortunate to get up there with one hand and make the snag," Ocasio said. "It was up there. I was able to get up there and get a hold of it."
Jeff Willis had seven catches for 76 yards and two scores and backup receiver Dan Kelly caught two passes for 45 yards and a touchdown after Yardon Brantley left with an injury in the second quarter.
Flowers also ran for a touchdown as did Trent Jones, a linebacker-defensive back who was used as a quarterback in a Wildcat formation.
Ocasio finished with nine catches for 123 yards. He also had a 5-yard TD catch in the first quarter and a 39-yard catch for a score in the final minute of the first half when the Express tried to break away from the Guard (5-3).
Trailing 22-16 in the final seconds of the first half, Fayetteville threatened to take the lead.
But the Express defense held at its 1-yard line with 15 seconds left.
Not content to take the six-point lead into the locker room, Flowers went deep twice, the second time finding Ocasio alone in the end zone.
"Physically and mentally, I'm back into this year," said Ocasio, who struggled with injuries for much of the past two seasons. "We're into week nine and I'm still going strong. Usually I'm banged up at least a little bit, but this year I've been able to stay healthy."
The Express appeared ready to break the game open in the first minute of the second half.
Erik Rockhold, who made all eight of his extra points and kicked a 44-yard field goal, opened the second half with an uno.
On the next play from scrimmage, Brett Kolk buried Guard running back Chris Johnson in the end zone for a safety and a 32-16 Express lead.
Behind quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen, the Guard continued to battle back. Withy-Allen threw for 279 yards and six touchdowns.
His favorite target, Jay Jackson, caught nine passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Withy-Allen's 5-yard touchdown pass to Tymere Jackson with 49 seconds left shaved Reading's lead to 56-50.
After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, Ocasio wrapped up the game with one hand and went home happy.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Reading Eagle
Carmelo Ocasio learned that putting up impressive offensive numbers isn't the key to happiness.
Ocasio had one of the biggest games of his four-year career with the Express three weeks ago. But he left the Sovereign Center with an empty feeling after a loss to the Baltimore Mariners.
On Saturday night, Ocasio capped another big game with a highlight-reel touchdown catch that helped the Express defeat the Fayetteville Guard 63-50 in an American Indoor Football Association game.
"It felt good this time," Ocasio said. "We put it together offensively. The third week in a row we scored in the 60s and we didn't struggle in the third quarter."
The Express (7-2) won its third straight as quarterback Rob Flowers completed 20-of-26 passes for 266 yards and six touchdowns.
Three of the TD strikes went to Ocasio, including a leaping one-handed grab in the final minute that clinched the victory.
"I was fortunate to get up there with one hand and make the snag," Ocasio said. "It was up there. I was able to get up there and get a hold of it."
Jeff Willis had seven catches for 76 yards and two scores and backup receiver Dan Kelly caught two passes for 45 yards and a touchdown after Yardon Brantley left with an injury in the second quarter.
Flowers also ran for a touchdown as did Trent Jones, a linebacker-defensive back who was used as a quarterback in a Wildcat formation.
Ocasio finished with nine catches for 123 yards. He also had a 5-yard TD catch in the first quarter and a 39-yard catch for a score in the final minute of the first half when the Express tried to break away from the Guard (5-3).
Trailing 22-16 in the final seconds of the first half, Fayetteville threatened to take the lead.
But the Express defense held at its 1-yard line with 15 seconds left.
Not content to take the six-point lead into the locker room, Flowers went deep twice, the second time finding Ocasio alone in the end zone.
"Physically and mentally, I'm back into this year," said Ocasio, who struggled with injuries for much of the past two seasons. "We're into week nine and I'm still going strong. Usually I'm banged up at least a little bit, but this year I've been able to stay healthy."
The Express appeared ready to break the game open in the first minute of the second half.
Erik Rockhold, who made all eight of his extra points and kicked a 44-yard field goal, opened the second half with an uno.
On the next play from scrimmage, Brett Kolk buried Guard running back Chris Johnson in the end zone for a safety and a 32-16 Express lead.
Behind quarterback Shawn Withy-Allen, the Guard continued to battle back. Withy-Allen threw for 279 yards and six touchdowns.
His favorite target, Jay Jackson, caught nine passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Withy-Allen's 5-yard touchdown pass to Tymere Jackson with 49 seconds left shaved Reading's lead to 56-50.
After an unsuccessful onside kick attempt, Ocasio wrapped up the game with one hand and went home happy.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
