Express Hang on to Beat Legends
April 15, 2007 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Reading Express News Release
The Canton Legends said that they were coming home. They were almost through the back door, but then the Express slammed their fingers in the door. The Express, after losing twice to the Legends at the Sovereign Center last season, hung on for a 63-56 win on Saturday night in front of a crowd of 3,936. The win gave them a 2.5 game lead over the second place Legends in the AIFA Northern Division.
The game was exciting for the full 60 minutes, but the final minute of the game was perhaps the most exciting and the most controversial. The Express had a 56-41 lead with one minute left, but Legends' quarterback Kevin Mason found wide receiver Randall Lane in the back of the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown pass to cut the Express lead to 56-48. Legends' kicker John McClain then added his second rouge of the night to make the score 56-49 and pin the Express on their own five yard line. On the very next play, Express wide receiver Ian Cooper bobbled the ball and let it hit the turf. However, although it didn't appear that Cooper ever had full possession of the football, the officials ruled that it was a fumble and the Legends recovered. Mason then found wide receiver Maurice Lee for a 12-yard touchdown pass with 10.6 seconds left. McClain's extra point tied the game and set the stage for the final and most controversial play of the game.
Express quarterback Tom Stetzer found wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio streaking towards the end zone and Ocasio hauled in the pass, or did he? The ball appeared to hit the turf first, but Ocasio picked up the ball and the official in the end zone ruled that it was a touchdown. The official did not appear to have a very good view of the play as he was screened by Legends' defensive back Jo Jo Polk. Ocasio was trying to pin the ball against the boards for the score, which is legal, but it appeared that the ball hit the turf. However, since there is no instant replay in the AIFA, the Legends were left with one last shot, a length of the field heave by backup quarterback Scott McMullen, which fell to the turf incomplete.
The Express moved to 8-1 on the season during a game which saw them trail 21-7 early in the second quarter. The Express outscored the Legends 25-6 during the rest of the quarter to take a 32-27 lead into the half. In the quarter, Stetzer hooked up with Cooper for a three-yard pitch and catch and then wide receiver Shawn Foxworth crashed into the boards but held onto the football to complete the 17-yard touchdown catch. Foxworth did leave the game after crashing into the boards with a knee injury, as he watched the second half of the game on the bench and on crutches. His status for the rest of the season is unknown.
Foxworth's replacement wide receiver Mores Manoyrine had a crowd-jolting 23-yard touchdown run as he broke away from two Legends' defenders behind the line of scrimmage, and then cut to the right through a huge hole provided by the offensive line.
The Express defense got the job done, forcing Mason into some turnovers. Linebacker Joe Macaluso was credited with a safety, after the Legends' committed a penalty in their own end zone. Defensive back also recorded his sixth interception of the season, which set up Rockhold's field goal. Defensive back/kick returner Armar Watson also had several long kickoff returns including a 47-yarder to open up the second half. However, the Express couldn't capitalize inside the red zone as they had to settle for a Rockhold 20-yard field goal attempt, which was wide left.
Ocasio hauled in nine passes for 110 yards and four touchdowns. Cooper had nine catches for 56 yards and one score. Foxworth had three catches for 47 yards and two scores. Stetzer finished the game 23-39 for 228 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. Express kicker Erik Rockhold was 1-2 on field goals, making a 31-yarder. He also added two rouges.
For the Legends', Mason was 22-36 for 297 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. Wide receiver Tim Smith caught eight passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Lee caught seven passes for 81 yards and two scores. He also added a two-yard touchdown run. Lane caught seven passes for 93 yards and two scores.
The Express will go on the road once again next week as they will travel to take on the Danville Demolition (1-6). The Express will then return home for a three-game home stand beginning on April 28th against the Montgomery Bears. Express fans can listen to all the action from Danville next Saturday beginning at 8 p.m. Bob McCool will broadcast the game on a free Internet web cast which can be accessed by logging onto www.expressindoorfootball.com.
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