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Erie's Adam DiMichele and Kevin Concepcion Win League MVP Awards

July 8, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Erie Explosion News Release


(Lake Charles, LA) - The SIFL announced today that Erie Explosion quarterback Adam DiMichele has been named the league's Most Valuable Player for the 2011 season and Erie wide receiver Kevin Concepcion has been named the league's Offensive Player-of-the-Year. DiMichele and Concepcion are the first recipients of league MVP awards in franchise history. Other SIFL award recipients included Damian Daniels (Columbus) as Defensive Player of the Year, Craig Camay (Trenton) as Special Teams Player or the Year, and Geradl Dockery (Houston) as Coach of the Year.

DiMichele (6'1"-205, Temple) enjoyed one of the most productive rookie seasons by any quarterback in indoor football history leading the Explosion to a 9-3 record and a division title, and completing 55% of his passes for 3,247 yards and 91 touchdowns, both of which led the league, with only seven interceptions in 12 games. He exceeded 300 yards of passing in five contests, and passed for at least 9 touchdowns an unprecedented four times, including a league and franchise record-high of 12 against division-rival Trenton. Upon hearing word of the award, DiMichele commented "Playing in Erie was an experience I will never forget. Coach Liotta put together a tremendous team, and I thank him for giving me the opportunity to play in his offensive system. My teammates were great all season long and really allowed me to be myself, play the way I know how to, and flourish in this offensive system. I want to thank the City of Erie, my family and supporters from Pittsburgh, the ownership group and front office, sponsors, and most importantly the fans. It was an honor to be a part of the Erie Explosion this season and this award is one that I would like to accept on behalf of the entire Erie Explosion team."

Concepcion (6'2"-215, Buffalo), in his second professional season, completed what has to be considered one of the most productive campaigns by any receiver in indoor football history. For the year, he registered 110 receptions for 1,502 yards, and 47 touchdowns (46 receiving, 1 rushing), all of which led the SIFL by a considerable margin. Concepcion recorded more than 100 yards of receiving in nine games, and recorded at least four scores in nine games, including a league and franchise record-high of seven against Trenton. Asked to comment about receiving his Offensive Player-of-the-Year award, he noted "This is one of my greatest accomplishments as a football player, and I am satisfied that my hard work each week really paid off. I want to thank our Head Coach Shawn Liotta and our Quarterback Adam DiMichele who made things so easy for me to make plays this season. My prayers have been answered, and I can not express my happiness in being honored with this award. I want to thank all of my teammates, the Erie Explosion organization, and the entire city of Erie for all of their support this season."

Erie Explosion Head Coach Shawn Liotta was elated to hear that two of his offensive stars were recognized by the league, "I am extremely proud of both of these players and this recognition is very much deserved. Adam and Kevin set indoor football records that may never be broken, and both deserve opportunities to advance their careers to the next level. They are both tremendous athletes, teammates, and high-character individuals who left a very positive impression in the Erie community both on and off the field. I am very honored to have had the opportunity to coach both of them this season and to have had the success we enjoyed as a team in 2011."

Coach Liotta continues to add to his growing reputation as one of indoor football's great offensive minds as he has accomplished something few coaches in indoor football have ever done, having now led three different quarterbacks in his five seasons to all-league recognition, including Adam DiMichele (2011), Rod Rutherford (2008), and David Dinkins (2007).



Southern Indoor Football League Stories from July 8, 2011


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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