Post by Gene on Jul 13, 2009 5:48:16 GMT -5
7/13/09
After wrestling with injuries, the Reading High grad returns to form as dominant receiver
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Carmelo Ocasio has a new look during his fourth season with the Reading Express.
Ocasio looks to be a step faster. He seems to make more spectacular catches. He appears to elude defenders more often.
But the biggest difference for the 29-year-old wide receiver is the smile on his face every time he puts on his Express uniform.
"Not only am I feeling good health-wise, but I'm having fun with the game again," Ocasio said. "For me to have so much fun with it the way I did this year, that's the first time that's happened since maybe high school."
Ocasio's fun-filled season will continue tonight when the Express (12-3) plays the Columbus Lions (12-3) at 7:30 p.m. in the Columbus (Ga.) Civic Center in the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Conference championship game.
The former Reading High star started the season with several question marks after undergoing surgery on his right ankle following an injury-riddled 2008 campaign. Ocasio also had to have surgery on his hand to repair three fingers following the 2007 season and had talked about retiring because of the series of injuries.
"The ankle has not been a problem at all," Ocasio said. "We thought that would be the biggest question this year: Can I come in and have a whole season without the ankle being a problem? It's held up well."
Ocasio has been healthy enough to once again be the dominant receiver in the AIFA. He leads the league in receptions (114) and receiving yards (1,314) to go along with 27 touchdown catches. He surpassed the 100-touchdown milestone earlier this season.
Ocasio's numbers are reminiscent of his first season with the Express in 2006 when he was voted the league's Offensive Player of the Year.
But in that season, Ocasio wrestled with a back injury he suffered during his college years at Indiana University of Pennsylvania that followed him to stops in the Canadian Football League and arenafootball2.
Ocasio, 6-0, 200 pounds, was out of football for two years before being the first player to sign with the Express. Although he put up huge numbers for the Express in 2006, Ocasio was in pain most of the season and missed a lot of practice time.
"I had to get my back conditioned again and get used to the pounding again," Ocasio said. "My back pretty much threw everything off."
Despite helping the Express reach the AIFA championship game, a hand injury and a run-in with the law put a damper on Ocasio's 2007 season.
Prior to the 2007 playoffs, Ocasio was charged with instigating a riot, a felony offense. He was suspended from his job with Berks County before the charge was dropped. Ocasio later received three months probation after pleading no contest to disorderly conduct.
Ocasio, the father of three, is employed again as a caseworker for children and families referred to him by Berks County Children and Youth Services.
Hobbled by injuries to start the 2008 season, Ocasio had just four catches in the first two games and missed the next four. He still managed to lead the Express with 24 touchdowns receptions.
"This year I've got nothing," Ocasio said. "I just come out here and have fun. I've got nothing to worry about like I had the last two years."
Two reasons Ocasio has few worries on the field are fellow wide receivers Jeff Willis and Yardon Brantley. Willis also has more than 1,000 receiving yards this season. Brantley, another former af2 player, had his numbers curtailed by an injury but gives the Express a third dangerous receiver.
"He's a team player and it's going well for him," Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski said. "He's not had any distractions to worry about. Football is enjoyable for him this year."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=147876
