Post by Gene on Jun 5, 2010 23:15:35 GMT -5
6/6/10
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Dan Kelly showed Reading Express fans how he earned the nickname "Iron Man."
The backup quarterback worked his way into the Express lineup as a receiver. He caught his 13th touchdown pass of the season in the first half of Saturday's game in the Sovereign Center.
When starting quarterback Rob Flowers went down with a neck injury in the final minute of the first half, Kelly stepped in and the Express offense kept rolling.
"I stepped up and played the game," Kelly said. "The players really stepped up with me. The receivers made plays and got open. It was a lot of fun playing tonight."
Kelly threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the Express routed the winless New Jersey Revolution 56-20 to keep alive its American Indoor Football Association playoff hopes.
Kelly received the tag "Iron Man" for being able to play nearly every position. He plays on special teams and even has seen action at defensive back.
Because he was behind Flowers, the reigning AIFA Most Valuable Player, Kelly had to learn another position to get significant playing time. He has turned into a trusty receiver the last two seasons.
But Kelly showed he still possesses the quarterback skills he honed at Lebanon Valley that got him signed to play for the Express.
Kelly warmed up quickly while Flowers was being helped off the field after having his neck jammed into the boards in the end zone. Kelly calmly completed his first three passes, the third a 17-yard TD strike to Jeff Willis to build Reading's lead to 36-13 with nine seconds left in the first half.
"I'm just here to play the game," Kelly said. "Whenever I get a chance I'm going to go in and do the best I can and see how it goes."
Kelly completed 9-of-13 for 96 yards. He also ran four times for 41 yards, including a 7-yard TD run in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
"It's just a fun game," Kelly said. "I love to play anywhere whenever I get an opportunity."
The victory moves the defending AIFA champion Express (7-5) into a tie for the third and final East Division playoff spot with Erie, which lost to Baltimore Saturday night.
On defense, linebacker Matt Sola showed his versatility as the Express stymied the Revolution (0-11). Sola knocked down a pass, blocked a field-goal attempt, had a sack and returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.
Sola, who scored two touchdowns during his first four years with the Express, has scored touchdowns in back-to-back games. He returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown in Reading's previous games two weeks ago.
"I can't get used to it, but I'm definitely enjoying the end zone, that's for sure," Sola said.
So did Willis and Nate Romig.
Willis hauled in three touchdown passes, the first two from Flowers. Romig caught two TD passes from Kelly.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=225285
By Brian Rippey
Reading Eagle
Dan Kelly showed Reading Express fans how he earned the nickname "Iron Man."
The backup quarterback worked his way into the Express lineup as a receiver. He caught his 13th touchdown pass of the season in the first half of Saturday's game in the Sovereign Center.
When starting quarterback Rob Flowers went down with a neck injury in the final minute of the first half, Kelly stepped in and the Express offense kept rolling.
"I stepped up and played the game," Kelly said. "The players really stepped up with me. The receivers made plays and got open. It was a lot of fun playing tonight."
Kelly threw three touchdown passes and ran for another as the Express routed the winless New Jersey Revolution 56-20 to keep alive its American Indoor Football Association playoff hopes.
Kelly received the tag "Iron Man" for being able to play nearly every position. He plays on special teams and even has seen action at defensive back.
Because he was behind Flowers, the reigning AIFA Most Valuable Player, Kelly had to learn another position to get significant playing time. He has turned into a trusty receiver the last two seasons.
But Kelly showed he still possesses the quarterback skills he honed at Lebanon Valley that got him signed to play for the Express.
Kelly warmed up quickly while Flowers was being helped off the field after having his neck jammed into the boards in the end zone. Kelly calmly completed his first three passes, the third a 17-yard TD strike to Jeff Willis to build Reading's lead to 36-13 with nine seconds left in the first half.
"I'm just here to play the game," Kelly said. "Whenever I get a chance I'm going to go in and do the best I can and see how it goes."
Kelly completed 9-of-13 for 96 yards. He also ran four times for 41 yards, including a 7-yard TD run in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.
"It's just a fun game," Kelly said. "I love to play anywhere whenever I get an opportunity."
The victory moves the defending AIFA champion Express (7-5) into a tie for the third and final East Division playoff spot with Erie, which lost to Baltimore Saturday night.
On defense, linebacker Matt Sola showed his versatility as the Express stymied the Revolution (0-11). Sola knocked down a pass, blocked a field-goal attempt, had a sack and returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.
Sola, who scored two touchdowns during his first four years with the Express, has scored touchdowns in back-to-back games. He returned a fumble recovery for a touchdown in Reading's previous games two weeks ago.
"I can't get used to it, but I'm definitely enjoying the end zone, that's for sure," Sola said.
So did Willis and Nate Romig.
Willis hauled in three touchdown passes, the first two from Flowers. Romig caught two TD passes from Kelly.
Contact Brian Rippey: 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com
Source: readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=225285