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Erie Storm Begins Road Trip At Reading March 27

March 26, 2010 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Erie, PA) - On Saturday, the Erie Storm of the American Indoor Football Association will travel to the other side of the state to take on the defending league champion Reading Express in a rematch of the thrilling season-opener won by Erie at home by the score of 41-28. Opening kickoff at the Sovereign Center is set for 7:00 PM.

Both teams come into this weekend needing wins to keep pace in what appears will be a hotly-contested Northern Division race. Erie (1-1) did not play last week, but in its last game played two weeks ago, the Storm committed three costly turnovers, all near the goalline, which they could not overcome in a disappointing 41-34 home loss to the Harrisburg Stampede. Reading (1-2) owned a 14-point lead in the middle of the third quarter in its home opener against Harrisburg last week, but the Express committed three untimely turnovers on its next four possessions and was unable to get defensive stops in the fourth quarter, resulting in a crushing 55-42 loss.

"Our games in Reading are always tough as they always have great teams and their fans do a great job generating noise in their building giving them a real homefield advantage. I fully expect this game to have the feel of a playoff game as both of us are coming off losses, and we both really need the 'W'. I don't know if they've ever lost two games at home in a row plus they'll want payback for our win in the season opener. We have the playmakers and experience to get this done, but against this team, we absolutely can not turn the ball over like we did last week. But we'll get it worked out. After the week off, we're anxious to get started again." commented Erie Head Coach Shawn Liotta.

In the season opener, the Storm appeared like it was headed for a long day as the Express opened the game by driving down the field and scoring a touchdown in just three plays to take a lead before the game was two minutes old. But after allowing the opening score, the Storm defense took control of the game and did not allow a single point in over two quarters, by which time Erie had the game well under control, ultimately winning by the final score of 41-28. In six possessions during that stretch, Erie took advantage of a missed field goal and three Express turnovers, including a fumble recovery by LB Glenroy Watkins and two interceptions, and forced the Reading offense to turn the ball over twice on downs. Erie DB Trent Jones, playing his first game against his former Express teammates, was responsible for two of the Storm's three interceptions of Reading quarterback and former league MVP Rob Flowers, with Chris Blackshear recording the other.

Both teams will likely be missing a key contributor for this game. For Erie, all-AIFA linebacker Roosevelt Benjamin is expected to make the trip to Reading, but is questionable with a groin injury sustained in the team's previous game. If he can not play, LB Tommie Weatherspoon (6'2"-240, Temple) will likely see his first action of the season. Reading will be without perennial all-AIFA wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio, who was suspended by the league for an altercation with a referee following last week's home game.

The Storm will be on the road once again next week as they will look for payback in a visit to Harrisburg on Saturday April 3. Following their second bye week of the season, Erie will return home on Friday night, April 16, when the Storm will host the Richmond Raiders at the Tullio Arena with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at the Tullio Arena box office and through all Ticketmaster outlets.



American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 26, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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