Express Demolish Legends
Published on March 26, 2007 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Reading Express News Release
After being knocked out of last year's league playoffs by the Canton Legends, the Reading Express had revenge on their minds as they traveled to Canton for a Friday night showdown. The Legends defeated the Express 44-24 at the Sovereign Center in the semifinals of last year's playoffs. With first place in the AIFA Northern Division on the line, the Express pulled out all the stops and got the bitter taste out of their mouths by crushing the Legends 50-19.
Express kicker Erik Rockhold led the team with 20 points, including four field goals and three rouges. Rockhold capped the Express' opening drive with a 38-yard field goal and then sailed the ensuing kickoff through the uprights to give the team a quick 4-0 lead. Canton's Maurice Lee got Canton to within one at the end of the first quarter with a 30-yard touchdown grab.
In the second quarter, the Express began to pull away as they scored 17 points to take a 24-13 lead into the half. Running back Isaiah Grier scored on a one-yard plunge during the opening minute of the quarter to increase the Express lead to 14-6. After Canton quarterback Kevin Mason hooked up with wide receiver Randall Lane for a 10-yard TD pass, the Express scored the final 10 points of the quarter on a Rockhold 20-yard field goal and a 23-yard TD pass from quarterback Tom Stetzer to wide receiver Shawn Foxworth.
Rockhold connected on Reading's first four points of the second half courtesy of a rouge on the opening kickoff and a 48-yard field goal, his longest of the season. Stetzer ended the quarter with another TD pass to Foxworth, this one a 33-yarder. In the fourth quarter, Isaiah Grier put the game away with an amazing 37-yard TD run in which he went untouched the final 20 yards of the run. Canton backup quarterback Scott McMullen added a one-yard sneak late in the fourth, which was then answered by a Stetzer 10-yard strike to Ian Cooper to complete the scoring.
On the evening, Stetzer finished 11-28 with three touchdowns and one interception. The offensive line was a huge factor in Stetzer's big game as they gave him plenty of protection in the pocket and did not allow a sack. Grier had two carries for 38 yards and two scores, while Foxworth had six catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. Cooper added five catches for 47 yards and a score.
The defense was solid all night long and was led by defensive back Marcus Sergeant's two interceptions. Defensive end Mike Schwebel also had a highlight interception as he deflected the ball out of mid-air with one hand and trapped it against his hip to get the pick. The defensive line was stellar once again allowing just 28 yards rushing and 168 yards passing against one of the top offensive teams in the league, which came in averaging 50.6 points per game. They also recorded three sacks.
With the win, the team moves into sole possession of first place in the AIFA Northern Divison. They will look to remain in first as they take on the Huntington Heroes this Saturday, March 31st at the Sovereign Center. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The first 1000 fans in attendance will receive train whistles courtesy of Pinnacle Sports. So come on out and welcome home your first place Reading Express!!!!
American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 26, 2007
- AIFA Week Eight Game Review - AIFA
- Express Demolish Legends - Reading Express
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