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Erie Storm Look to Derail the Express

April 22, 2010 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


ERIE, PA (April 24, 2010) - The Erie Storm of the American Indoor Football Association will return to action on Sunday at the Tullio Arena when they play host to their long-time rivals, the Reading Express, in a game with playoff implications.

This will be the third of three regular-season meetings between the two franchises, with each team having won on its home turf. The Storm defeated the defending AIFA champion Express 41-28 in the season opener for both teams in a game dominated by Erie's defense. In the return encounter three weeks later, Erie rallied from 14 points down to start the fourth quarter, but could not complete the comeback as a potential game-tying 2-point conversion pass at the end of regulation fell incomplete, and Reading escaped with a hardfought 53-51 victory.

Erie comes into the contest with a record of 2-3, just a half-game behind Reading at 3-3 and third in the AIFA's North Division. The top three teams in the division will make the playoffs and a win for the Storm would give Erie the season-series edge and an important tiebreaker advantage, if needed.

Last week, Erie broke a three-game losing streak as the Storm offense, led by quarterback Rod Rutherford and wide receiver Eugene Baker, enjoyed one of its most productive games of the season in a 44-35 victory over the Richmond Raiders at home on Friday night. Erie rolled up 306 yards of offense, won the time of possession battle decisively, and never trailed during the game. Rutherford completed 25 of 39 passes for 286 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions, and added a rushing touchdown. Baker, returning from a hip injury the previous game, led the Storm wide receivers with nine catches for 130 yards and two second-half touchdowns, The Storm defense forced the Raiders offense to turn the ball over twice on downs, defensive back Sam Reynolds made a key stop on the last play of the first half which preserved a halftime lead for Erie, and linebacker Roosevelt Benjamin intercepted a pass late in the game which sealed the victory for the Storm.

Reading suffered a rare defeat at home, losing to the division-leading Baltimore Mariners by the score of 51-27. The Express led after the first quarter, but two turnovers before the half allowed Baltimore to score 27 second-quarter points to take control of the game.

"These two teams have a lot of history, some great games in both the regular season and the playoffs, and I fully expect this one to be exciting as well. Reading has struggled this season more than usual with turnovers, but they've got experience and I'm sure they'll get it figured out. But I do like our chances. Limiting our turnovers is still the key, but if we do that, we're as good and likely better, than anyone in the league. Our personnel match up real well with theirs, we've got guys with big-game experience too, and our players are sick and tired of hearing how good Reading has been. We beat them pretty good at home, and played them just about even at their place. The winner of this game takes the season series, so with that plus all the history, we won't have any trouble getting prepared mentally for this weekend. I'm anxious to get it started up again," commented Erie Storm head coach Shawn Liotta.

Erie's offense is led by quarterback Rutherford who has been responsible for 21 touchdowns in five games, 16 passing and five rushing. Baker continues to be among the leading receivers in the AIFA with 34 receptions in four games for 443 yards and seven touchdowns. Darmel Whitfield leads the Storm with nine touchdown catches among his 24 receptions. Defensive back Trent Jones is among the league leaders in tackles and passes defended, and leads the Storm defense with three interceptions. Troy Blackwell and Phil Tillman (3 sacks each) continue to anchor Erie's defensive line with support from all-AIFA linebackers Glenroy Watkins (12 tackles, 2.5 for loss) and Roosevelt Benjamin.

Reading quarterback Rob Flowers has completed 55% of his passes for 1,189 yards and 24 touchdowns but has struggled with interceptions, throwing 16 in six games. Jeff Willis leads the Express receivers with 36 receptions and 9 touchdowns, however, the Reading offense is expected to get a boost this weekend with the return of all-AIFA wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio from a league suspension. In three games, he recorded 28 catches and five touchdowns. Defensive lineman Dayon Benson leads the Express defense with 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, and defensive back Sam Bryant has recorded a team-leading four interceptions.

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