Post by Gene on Apr 17, 2010 8:35:53 GMT -5
4/17/10
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Although a loss could deal his team a major blow in its quest for a fifth straight division title, Reading Express coach/general Bernie Nowotarski is downplaying the importance of tonight's game with the Baltimore Mariners.
The Mariners (5-0) enter the Sovereign Center at 7 tonight in first place in the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Division.
The Express (3-2) could pull within a game of the division lead with a victory. A loss would send Reading on the road for four of its next five games trailing the Mariners by three games.
"It's a good measuring gauge," Nowotarski said. "You've got a first-place team coming in. We'll see how we come out and look."
Baltimore, heavy with former Express players and coaches in its organization, defeated Reading twice during the regular season last year, including once at the Sovereign Center. Reading knocked out Baltimore in the first round of the playoffs en route to winning the AIFA title.
Now it's the Mariners, led on offense by former Express running back Isaiah Grier, quarterback E.J. Nemeth and offensive lineman Mark Stout, who are looking like a championship team.
But Nowotarski isn't concerned about the way the Mariners are playing. He's more interested in getting the Express players to eliminate the mistakes that have hampered them for the first five games.
Reading has committed 17 turnovers, including 13 interceptions by quarterback Rob Flowers. The Express also has averaged seven penalties per game.
"We've got to make plays, protect the ball, stop turnovers and penalties," Nowotarski said. "Do that and you're in good shape."
Despite his struggles, Flowers rallied the Express to a last-minute win Saturday against Richmond to help keep the Express in the race for one of three playoff spots.
"We're in the thick of it; we're starting to play better," Nowotarski said. "We've got an opportunity to go against the best team in the division right now."
Flowers leads the AIFA with 1,071 passing yards and has thrown 20 touchdown passes, second only to the 21 thrown by Richmond quarterback Robbie Jenkins.
Flowers will be going up against a defense directed by former Express coordinator Steve Gaunt. The Mariners also have former Express defensive backs Armar Watson, the AIFA leader in interceptions with eight, and Desmond Maul.
Throw in former Express offensive lineman Greg Justice as the Mariners general manager and it makes for an interesting matchup.
"It's becoming a friendly rivalry," Nowotarski said. "You've got a lot of guys that are close friends and know each other and have a great deal of mutual respect for one another."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=213471
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Although a loss could deal his team a major blow in its quest for a fifth straight division title, Reading Express coach/general Bernie Nowotarski is downplaying the importance of tonight's game with the Baltimore Mariners.
The Mariners (5-0) enter the Sovereign Center at 7 tonight in first place in the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Division.
The Express (3-2) could pull within a game of the division lead with a victory. A loss would send Reading on the road for four of its next five games trailing the Mariners by three games.
"It's a good measuring gauge," Nowotarski said. "You've got a first-place team coming in. We'll see how we come out and look."
Baltimore, heavy with former Express players and coaches in its organization, defeated Reading twice during the regular season last year, including once at the Sovereign Center. Reading knocked out Baltimore in the first round of the playoffs en route to winning the AIFA title.
Now it's the Mariners, led on offense by former Express running back Isaiah Grier, quarterback E.J. Nemeth and offensive lineman Mark Stout, who are looking like a championship team.
But Nowotarski isn't concerned about the way the Mariners are playing. He's more interested in getting the Express players to eliminate the mistakes that have hampered them for the first five games.
Reading has committed 17 turnovers, including 13 interceptions by quarterback Rob Flowers. The Express also has averaged seven penalties per game.
"We've got to make plays, protect the ball, stop turnovers and penalties," Nowotarski said. "Do that and you're in good shape."
Despite his struggles, Flowers rallied the Express to a last-minute win Saturday against Richmond to help keep the Express in the race for one of three playoff spots.
"We're in the thick of it; we're starting to play better," Nowotarski said. "We've got an opportunity to go against the best team in the division right now."
Flowers leads the AIFA with 1,071 passing yards and has thrown 20 touchdown passes, second only to the 21 thrown by Richmond quarterback Robbie Jenkins.
Flowers will be going up against a defense directed by former Express coordinator Steve Gaunt. The Mariners also have former Express defensive backs Armar Watson, the AIFA leader in interceptions with eight, and Desmond Maul.
Throw in former Express offensive lineman Greg Justice as the Mariners general manager and it makes for an interesting matchup.
"It's becoming a friendly rivalry," Nowotarski said. "You've got a lot of guys that are close friends and know each other and have a great deal of mutual respect for one another."
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=213471