Erie Defeats Canton Again 45-37

Published on June 1, 2008 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Erie, PA) - Despite playing its first game without star DB/KR Jovon Johnson who left to play with Winnipeg in the CFL, the Erie RiverRats of the AIFA got four pass interceptions from its defensive secondary, including one returned for a touchdown, and survived two red zone fumbles of its own, to defeat the Canton Legends at the Tullio Arena by the score of 45-37. With the victory, Erie (9-3) moved back into first place in the North Division, a half-game ahead of Reading (8-3) which lost at Huntington the same night. Erie and Reading will face each other in a home-and-home series the next two weeks to decide the division championship and homefield advantage for the first round of the AIFA playoffs. The first game will be played in Erie on Saturday, June 7, and the rematch will be in Reading on Saturday, June 14.

For the 'Rats, QB Rod Rutherford completed 18 of 33 passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns with one interception. WR Darmel Whitfield led Erie with 7 catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Recent acquisition DB/WR Robb Butler added two second-half touchdown catches in his first game in Erie. DB Chris Blackshear and DB Corey Oaks, in his Erie debut, both picked off Canton QB Kevin Mason twice. Blackshear's second interception of the game, during the third quarter, was returned 35 yards for an Erie touchdown and a lead it never relinquished.

The 'Rats took advantage of two Canton penalties on its first drive and scored on a 1-yard quarterback keeper by Rutherford to take a quick 7-0 lead. The Legends evened the score on its first drive on a 6-yard touchdown strike from Mason to WR Jamie Williamson. However, during that first drive, WR Tim Smith, Canton's leading receiver with 65 catches and 14 touchdown receptions for the season, suffered a dislocated elbow and did not return for the rest of the game.

Erie needed just two offensive plays to take the lead back, as Rutherford connected twice with WR Marko Thomas, in his return to action from broken ribs, including a wide-open 13-yard touchdown completion putting the 'Rats up 14-7. On Canton's next possession, DB Blackshear got his first interception of Mason at Erie's 1-yard line but the 'Rats could not take advantage, as their drive stalled at Canton's 12-yard line and PK J.R. Cipra missed wide right on a 29-yard field goal attempt early in the second quarter.

Canton tied the score at 14-14 on a two-yard touchdown pass from Mason to WR James Hawkins setup by Mason who broke free of several would-be Erie tacklers on his way to a 28-yard run. An "uno" by Canton PK John McClain gave the Legends their first lead at 15-14 lead. An interception of Rutherford by Canton DB Cody Smith and a questionable pass interference call against Erie DB Sam Reynolds setup another Canton score on a 5-yard touchdown reception by WR James Hawkins. The 'Rats drove to Canton's 3-yard line, but the scoring opportunity was snuffed out on a fumble by RB Robert Hammer recovered by Canton's Smith. The Legends could not capitalize as McClain missed a 32-yard field goal attempt as time expired in the first half, and Canton went to halftime with a 22-14 lead.

Canton turned the ball over on downs to start the second half. On fourth down, the officials first ruled that the Legends completed a first down pass to Erie's 1-yard line, but it was eventually ruled an incompletion, giving the 'Rats possession. Erie took advantage quickly as Rutherford connected with Whitfield for a 29-yard touchdown reception pulling Erie within 22-21 midway through the third quarter.

But then, Erie's defense made the play that turned out to be the turning point of the game.

On third down, Mason was picked off by Chris Blackshear for the second time and Blackshear returned it for 35 yards for an Erie touchdown, giving the 'Rats a 28-22 lead. A "uno" by Cipra pushed the Erie lead to seven. With Canton pinned back deep in their own territory, Erie LB Glenroy Watkins then sacked Mason in the end zone for a safety which increased the 'Rats lead to 31-22.

Canton pulled within one point at 31-30 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Mason to Hawkins setup by a long 30-yard return on a missed Cipra field goal, and an "uno" by Canton's McClain. But the 'Rats responded quickly on the very next play as Rutherford and Butler connected on a long 45-yard bomb to make the score 38-30 Erie at the end of the third quarter.

Canton's drive at the start of the fourth quarter was stopped with an interception by DB Corey Oaks, his first in an Erie uniform. However, the 'Rats committed their second turnover inside the red zone as Rutherford was stripped of the ball at the Canton 6-yard line, recovered by the Legends. Canton drove 45 yards on five plays capped off by a 12-yard touchdown run by Mason to pull within one at 38-37 with seven minutes remaining. Erie responded on its next drive culminating in the second touchdown pass from Rutherford to Butler, this one from 10 yards out, to push the 'Rats lead up to 45-37 with over three minutes remaining. The Legends had one more chance to get even, but Oaks sealed the game away for Erie with his second interception of the quarter with just seconds left in the game.

The Erie RiverRats return home to the Tullio Arena on Saturday, June 7, 2008 for Fan Appreciation Night when they host the Reading Express with kickoff scheduled for 7:05 PM. Tickets for all Erie RiverRats games are available at the Tullio Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. For more information, call (888)RIV-RATS or visit www.erieriverrats.com

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