Express Wins AIFL's First OT Game
March 26, 2006 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Reading Express News Release
JOHNSTOWN, Pa. - Erik Rockworth's field goal with 1:42 left in overtime provided the difference as the Reading Express escaped with a 41-38 victory over the Johnstown Riverhawks in the American Indoor Football League's first ever overtime game Sunday night.
Under the AIFL's overtime rules, Johnstown had a crack at tying or taking the lead with the remaining time, but fell short as Armar Watson batted down a pass of fourth-and-17, sealing the win for the Express (2-2).
The Riverhawks (2-3) forced the extra period on Quenteen Robinson'ss 2-yard touchdown pass from Adam Haught with one second remaining. Jason Cherry's point-after knotted the score at 38.
Johnstown actually held a 31-21 lead in the third quarter after Terrence Hudson pulled in a 9-yard pass from Haught with 2:15 left. The Express relied on a Rockhold field goal, Perry Taglienti's fourth touchdown run and a touchdown reception by Ian Cooper to take a 38-31 lead with 1:36 left in the fourth.
Taglienti's second touchdown had given Reading a 14-7 lead early in the second after the two teams traded touchdowns in the first with Taglienti and Johnstown fullback Mike Feeney crossing the goal line from a yard out.
Johnstown's Robinson, who pulled in a pair of touchdowns and led the Riverhawks with 71 receiving yards, answered on Johnstown's next play from scrimmage with a 30-yard touchdown catch that tied the score at 14.
Cherry gave the Riverhawks a 17-14 lead heading into halftime, booting a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the second. Johnstown extended the lead in the third on Marko Thomas' 29-yard touchdown catch.
Haught, in his second start for Johnstown, finished with 144 passing yards and four touchdowns with three interceptions. Reading's Stetzer had only one touchdown pass and 208 passing yards against one pick. Receiver Carmelo Ocasio led all pass-catchers with 10 catches for 95 yards.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 26, 2006
- Silverbacks' Lee Rewrites AIFL Record Book -- Five Marks Set In Win Over Stampede - Dayton Silverbacks
- Express Wins AIFL's First OT Game - Reading Express
- Express top Riverhawks in OT - Johnstown RiverHawks
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