Post by rkozak201 on May 18, 2009 6:15:51 GMT -5
Defensive back Sam Bryant has two interceptions as Reading rolls by Harrisburg
Reading Eagle: Ryan McFadden
Reading's Sam Bryant steps in front of the intended receiver to make an interception during the first half of the Express' win.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Something about having his little brother around brings out the best in Sam Bryant.
With James Bryant back in the Reading Express lineup Sunday night after a tryout with the NFL's Washington Redskins, defensive back Sam Bryant again took center stage.
Sam Bryant intercepted two passes to help the Reading defense pitch its second shutout of the season in a 44-6 American Indoor Football Association rout of the Harrisburg Stampede before nearly 3,000 fans in the Sovereign Center.
Harrisburg scored its only points on a 58-yard kickoff return by Eugene Goodman in the first quarter.
"If you look around the league it doesn't happen that often," Sam Bryant said. "We feel real good about ourselves."
All the players for the Express (8-2) were feeling good after a fourth straight victory put North Division-leading Reading one away win from clinching its fourth straight playoff berth.
Rob Flowers threw five touchdown passes, including a 40-yarder to Dan Kelly on Reading's first offensive play, in Reading's most lopsided win of the season.
After Harrisburg (3-6) missed a field goal on its first possession, Flowers found Kelly along the sideline and Kelly eluded two tacklers and raced the rest of the way to the end zone.
"That always feels good," Flowers said. "When you come out and hit the first play, you fly high for the rest of the game."
Harrisburg answered Reading's touchdown when Goodman took the ensuing kickoff the distance. But Jeremy Ricker, who also missed two field-goal attempts, missed the extra point and Stampede never got even.
The Express was hitting on all cylinders for most of the game. Flowers completed 27-of-39 passes for 300 yards. Carmelo Ocasio had 11 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. Kelly and Jeff Willis each had two touchdown receptions.
Reading pulled away when Jason Henley ran 2 yards for a touchdown and a 14-6 lead after one quarter. In the second, Erik Rockhold kicked a 28-yard field goal and Willis hauled in a 9-yard TD pass from Flowers to make it 24-6 at halftime.
"We're playing together as a team and we're taking what they give us," Flowers said.
The Express defense gave up nothing to the Stampede and quarterback Bill Ashburn. The Express limited Harrisburg to 98 yards and pushed the Stampede back on each scoring opportunity.
Jo Jo Polk also had an interception and recovered a fumble as Reading forced four turnovers.
Sam Bryant made both his interceptions in the end zone and also was credited with the hit of the game when he flipped Stampede receiver Najah Pruden at the 2-yard line. It was the kind of hit more likely to be delivered by James Bryant from his linebacker position.
"He always brings big games out of me," Sam Bryant said.
The first time the Bryant brothers out of Reading High were together with the Express this season, Sam had three interceptions in a 47-13 win over Erie when the River Rats scored both their touchdowns on defense.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Reading Eagle: Ryan McFadden
Reading's Sam Bryant steps in front of the intended receiver to make an interception during the first half of the Express' win.
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Something about having his little brother around brings out the best in Sam Bryant.
With James Bryant back in the Reading Express lineup Sunday night after a tryout with the NFL's Washington Redskins, defensive back Sam Bryant again took center stage.
Sam Bryant intercepted two passes to help the Reading defense pitch its second shutout of the season in a 44-6 American Indoor Football Association rout of the Harrisburg Stampede before nearly 3,000 fans in the Sovereign Center.
Harrisburg scored its only points on a 58-yard kickoff return by Eugene Goodman in the first quarter.
"If you look around the league it doesn't happen that often," Sam Bryant said. "We feel real good about ourselves."
All the players for the Express (8-2) were feeling good after a fourth straight victory put North Division-leading Reading one away win from clinching its fourth straight playoff berth.
Rob Flowers threw five touchdown passes, including a 40-yarder to Dan Kelly on Reading's first offensive play, in Reading's most lopsided win of the season.
After Harrisburg (3-6) missed a field goal on its first possession, Flowers found Kelly along the sideline and Kelly eluded two tacklers and raced the rest of the way to the end zone.
"That always feels good," Flowers said. "When you come out and hit the first play, you fly high for the rest of the game."
Harrisburg answered Reading's touchdown when Goodman took the ensuing kickoff the distance. But Jeremy Ricker, who also missed two field-goal attempts, missed the extra point and Stampede never got even.
The Express was hitting on all cylinders for most of the game. Flowers completed 27-of-39 passes for 300 yards. Carmelo Ocasio had 11 receptions for 109 yards and a touchdown. Kelly and Jeff Willis each had two touchdown receptions.
Reading pulled away when Jason Henley ran 2 yards for a touchdown and a 14-6 lead after one quarter. In the second, Erik Rockhold kicked a 28-yard field goal and Willis hauled in a 9-yard TD pass from Flowers to make it 24-6 at halftime.
"We're playing together as a team and we're taking what they give us," Flowers said.
The Express defense gave up nothing to the Stampede and quarterback Bill Ashburn. The Express limited Harrisburg to 98 yards and pushed the Stampede back on each scoring opportunity.
Jo Jo Polk also had an interception and recovered a fumble as Reading forced four turnovers.
Sam Bryant made both his interceptions in the end zone and also was credited with the hit of the game when he flipped Stampede receiver Najah Pruden at the 2-yard line. It was the kind of hit more likely to be delivered by James Bryant from his linebacker position.
"He always brings big games out of me," Sam Bryant said.
The first time the Bryant brothers out of Reading High were together with the Express this season, Sam had three interceptions in a 47-13 win over Erie when the River Rats scored both their touchdowns on defense.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
