Carolina at Erie Game Preview – June 7

Published on June 4, 2009 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


The Erie RiverRats return to the Tullio Arena this Saturday night, June 7, when they host the Carolina Speed in a rematch of a game played in April won by the Speed 38-12. This contest has been designated as "Save Our Shriners Night" to raise awareness and money to help save an important medical institution, Shriners Hospital for Children in Erie. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.

Last week, Erie (2-8), minus three suspended starters, saw its modest two-game winning streak come to an end after losing on the road to the Harrisburg Stampede by the final score of 53-29. The Erie offensive line, which was missing AIFA All-Star Anthony Peluso, struggled all night to protect new quarterback Kevin Mason in his ‘Rats debut, allowing five sacks. Peluso, along with DB Raji El-Amin and LB Neal Wood, were suspended by the AIFA for their role in a melee near the end of the game against Harrisburg two weeks ago. DB Marcus Sargeant was suspended for the Stampede, although it appeared that it was actually RB/KR Eugene Goodman who was involved in the altercation and should have sat out. This turned out quite well for Harrisburg, as Goodman had a major impact on the game, rushing for 33 rushing yards and 89 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns, and added two pass receptions.

The fallout from the brawl continues for one more week, as Erie will be without the services of WR Aaron Haynes, WR Greg Johnston, and QB Neal Sharma for this contest. However, Peluso, El-Amin, and Wood are slated to return to action.

In the first game between Carolina and Erie back on April 4th, the ‘Rats battled back after a pair of first-quarter interceptions led to Carolina touchdowns, and were able to whittle the deficit to only 13-12 early in the second quarter after a team-record 50-yard return of a missed field goal by Haynes. However, the Speed responded with 25 unanswered points in the second and third quarters, and Erie's offense was not able to score a single point in the second half.

Last week, Kevin Mason became the fifth quarterback to take a snap from center for the ‘Rats in 2009. Mason is expected to move to wide receiver this weekend with Darmel Whitfield, who did not play last week, returning at quarterback for Erie. Whitfield continues to spark the ‘Rats offense, completing 60% of his passes in six games for 845 yards and 19 touchdowns against just six interceptions. WR Trumaine Riley leads Erie with 45 pass receptions and is tied for the team lead with eight touchdown receptions.

There are two familiar faces to Erie fans in the Carolina Speed lineup expected to see action this weekend back in Erie, including former RiverRats LB Roosevelt Benjamin, an Erie native, and DB Chris Blackshear. Carolina (4-6) is led by Head Coach Ben McGarity who replaced Ramon Robinson, when Robinson left to coach the Harrisburg Stampede. The Speed had their own two-game winning streak stopped last week by the South Carolina Force by the score of 50-36. This will be Carolina's longest road trip of the season.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from June 4, 2009


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