Baltimore Mariners Game Five Match-Up Report

Published on April 15, 2009 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Baltimore Mariners News Release


Baltimore Mariners (2-2) vs. Reading Express (4-1)

Date/Time: Saturday, April 18th, 7:00 PM

Place: Sovereign Center, Reading, PA

Baltimore Mariners Last Outing: Let¡¯s just say it didn¡¯t go well. Can we leave it at that? Okay, if you want more details the Mariners were clobbered by the Columbus Lions 82-19. Coming off a much needed bye week, the previously battered Baltimore squad now appears healthy and ready for their division showdown with the Express.

Reading Express Last Outing: Reading routed the RiverRats 47-13 at home earning their third straight win.

Series: Express lead 3-1. The Mariners won the last outing 59-44 in Baltimore¡¯s second game of the season to take sole possession of first place in the North Division.

Baltimore Mariners Profile: What a difference a few weeks make. When last we visited Baltimore vs. Reading, the Mariners had just mauled the Express and taken sole possession of first place for the first time in its short history. Since then the Mariners have dropped two tough road games, while Reading has won three straight to take back first place.

Reading Express Profile: The Express have staked their claim as the team to beat in the North Division. After losing to the Mariners they have reeled off wins against South Carolina (47-27), D.C. (39-19), and Erie (47-13).

Players to Watch:

Baltimore Mariners Offense: QB E.J. Nemeth (6¡¯3¡±, 245, Sacred Heart) continues to be the focal point in the Mariners offense. After four games Nemeth ranks seventh in the league in total offense with an average of 164.5 yard per game. He also ranks seventh in the league in total offensive touchdowns with 12 (six passing, six rushing). Isaiah Grier (6¡¯1¡±, 215, Rhode Island) is seventh in the league in rushing with 88 yards. WR Jamaal Stokes (6¡¯1¡±, 185, Alabama St.) ranks tenth in the league with 5.5 receptions per game. He has totaled 22 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns for Baltimore. WR Scorpio Brown (6¡¯4¡±, 225, Morehouse) has tallied 21 receptions for 237 yards and three touchdowns.

Defense: DB Richard Johnson (5¡¯11¡±, 200, Virginia Tech) continues to rank among the AIFA¡¯s best, leading the league in interceptions (6), ranks second in interception return yards (76), and 11th in tackles with a total of 15.5 (14 solo, 3 assists). DB/LB Joe Taylor (6¡¯1¡±, 255, Morgan State) also ranks among the league leaders with 10.5 tackles (8 solo, 5 assists) and has four fumble recoveries. Marques Ogden (6¡¯5¡±, 290, Howard) leads the Mariners with 2 sacks.

Special Teams: J.R. Cipra (5¡¯9¡±, 170, Ohio Northern) places second among kickers in the league in scoring averaging 11 points per game (44 for the season). He also ranks second in PAT percentage (85%) and is sixth in field goal accuracy (40.9%). Armar Watson (5¡¯11¡±, 180, Duquesne) leads the league with 72 yards on missed field goal returns.

Reading Express Offense: QB Rob Flowers (6¡¯1¡±, 230, Kutztown) has been on fire since the Express met the Mariners throwing for 17 touchdowns and 689 touchdowns in just three games. The benefactors of Flowers¡¯ throwing binge have been Carmelo Ocasio (6¡¯, 200, Indiana, PA), who has pulled in 20 receptions for 289 yards and six touchdowns in the three game span, Jeff Willis (6¡¯2¡±, 187, Langston) 17 receptions, 212 yards, and six touchdowns in the same period, while Yardon Brantley (6¡¯1¡±, 190, Duquesne) reeled in a 14 catch, 130 yard, and three touchdown tally against the Force, Armor, and RIverRats.

Defense: DB/LB Trent Jones (6¡Ç1", 235) leads the Express defense and is fourth in the league in tackles with 5.9 per game (29.5 total) including a whopping 28 solo tackles. DB/LB Matt Millard (6¡¯, 215, Kutztown) ranks 22nd in the league with 17 tackles (15 solo, 4 assists).

Special Teams: Erik Rockhold ranks fourth in the league with an 83.3 PAT % (20 for 24), but has struggled on field goals connecting on only one of eight attempts.

When the Mariners have the ball: In their first three games the Mariners offense found a way to score relying heavily on the run and timely passing. As a result, despite their trials and tribulations in Columbus last weekend the Mariners offense ranks fifth in the AIFA in scoring offense with 43 points per game and ranks first in rushing. Reading has put together a series of strong defensive games since their loss to the Mariners, including holding their last two opponents to less then 20 points. Overall the team ranks third in scoring defense, fourth in total defense, and fifth in rushing and passing defense. The Mariners are the only team that has lit up the Express this season, while the Express D has stuffed the Armor, Force, and Rats (a combined 2-10). Bottom line: this weekend we¡¯ll see if the Mariners offense really has Reading¡¯s number, or if Reading¡¯s other wins are the norm.

When the Express have the ball: After the Express¡¯ dismantling of the DC Armor, in which Flowers threw seven touchdowns, Reading ranks third in scoring offense (43.8) and fourth in total offense (231.4 yard per game). Despite the throttling in Columbus, the Mariners defense still ranks a solid fifth in total defense, as six of the Lions¡¯ scores came off of turnovers, and they often scored on a short field. The Mariners defense also ranks third in the all important passing defense category. It will be strength against strength here.

Game Outlook: Things looked very bright for the Mariners after they beat the Express back on March 22nd. Now nearly a month later the momentum in the division has shifted as the Express hold the lead at 4-1, while the Mariners have dropped to 2-2. Good news is with a win this week, the race becomes muddy again as the Mariners can pull to within a ¨ö game. Bad news is, if the Express prevail they open up a 2 ¨ö game lead with the defending champ Phantoms next in-line for the Mariners.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from April 15, 2009


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