Freedom Update
May 20, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Trenton Freedom News Release
Freedom fight late for win in Erie
ERIE, P.A--Taking a page from last season's book, it took a 21-point fourth quarter for the Trenton Freedom to take a 50-47 win over the Erie Explosion on Saturday night.
It was a game unlike last time both teams faced, a 75-23 thrashing by the Freedom. Head Coach Kevin O'Hanlon saw a different Erie Explosion team this time around.
"[They] definitely got better," he said. "They did to us what we did to them when we played them the first time. They scored on their first two possessions, stopped us on our second and third possession. You've got to give credit to them. They held us to 4.0 sacks. Erie prepared."
It was a game of runs. The Explosion started the game by outscoring the Freedom in the first quarter 14-6. Explosion receivers Alfonso Hoggard and Moe Williams caught touchdowns from quarterback Mason Esponosa in the frame.
The Freedom responded with 20 unanswered points thanks to a Melik Brown rushing touchdown and two Hunter Wanket touchdown passes. His first was a 31-yarder to receiver Richie Martin followed by a 16-yard strike to new wideout Milt Colbert.
Williams caught another Explosion touchdown from Espinosa to narrow the Freedom lead to 26-21 at halftime.
Williams scored a third touchdonw before a missed field goal return and Richard Stokes rushing touchdown gave the Explosion a 41-26 lead with under a minute left in quarter three.
Two Freedom plays then helped bring the team back into the game and swing momentum. Ed Ruhnke kicked a booming 52-yard field goal in the final minute of the third quarter and defensive back Serge Kona followed minutes later with a one-handed interception.
"He made one of the most amazing interceptions I've ever seen," O'Hanlon said. "Parallel to the ground, ball thrown behind him, brings it in for an interception. Then we score and take the lead. And Ed's kick was equally important. The 52 yarder put us back in the game, [it] was a great kick that he hit with power. At the end of the day, he misses, we're in overtime."
Steve Panasuk replaced Wanket at the helm with under six minutes in the game and led the Freedom down the field for two touchdowns. Both were by Martin.
The latter score by Martin was a heads up fumble recovery after a fumble near the goal line. In motion, Martin made a heads up play to be the first person on top of the football.
"The ball was fumbled in the field of play," O'Hanlon said. "It was right at the feet of the linebacker, and Richie came in and dove on it. It was just one of those things where nobody sees [him coming]."
The recovery finalized the score at 50-47 giving the team its second win in a row-on the road nonetheless. The Freedom are now back over .500 for the first time since Week 4.
Freedom seek third straight road win in Richmond
TRENTON, N.J.-Kevin O'Hanlon is not quite sure how he feels about being 4-3.
His Trenton Freedom were below .500 just two weeks ago, then taking two road contests in a row-pulling off a last-minute win over Erie this past Saturday night. Yet, there are still three blemishes on the standings.
"I've been thinking about that a lot," he said. "If I say I'm satisfied, I feel that I'm admitting that we're an okay team. I don't want to say I'm not satisfied because it's better than being 3-4, or what we really could be now, 2-5. There's so much that goes into it."
Saturday night, May 23 at 7 p.m., the Freedom hit the road for the third time in a row when they take on the Richmond Raiders. The Freedom are 1-1 versus their former National Conference foes this season, and the Raiders have recently put up points in bunches.
They'll be coming off a bye, but in their two games prior, they defeated the Erie Explosion 70-46 and beat down the Alabama Hammers 87-58.
The Freedom are 4-1 all-time against the Raiders, but O'Hanlon knows his team will have one of its toughest tests because both teams know each other well.
"Coach (James) Fuller is a hell of a coach," he said. "I don't see the team doing any different other than having both feet on the gas pedal. What I love about Fuller and facing Richmond is that it's just football; none of this other malarkey that goes on. When we play them, to me, it's a big deal. Other than our first game ever, every game has been a slugfest."
The quarterback situation is still a toss-up for the Freedom.
Hunter Wanket started the 50-47 win over Erie, but Steve Panasuk finished the game to come from behind and win by three.
O'Hanlon has swapped quarterbacks three times during games this season.
"We can win a championship with both Hunter and Steve," said O'Hanlon. "It's not so much a roller coaster ride. It's the fact that we need our quarterbacks to put two good games together. We'll put one in for two or three quarters, and then we'll bring the other one in, and he'll play great. We believe in them both, but they need to grab the reigns and hold onto it."
For those who want to watch the Freedom take on the Raiders live, click the link below. Once again, kickoff is at 7 p.m..
Trenton Freedom @ Richmond Raiders Live Game Stream
Youth Dance Clinic
Does your kid enjoy dancing and want to learn more? The Trenton Freedom Xtreme dancers encourage kids ages 7-14 to sign up for their youth dance clinic on June 19 and 20. Learn a dance routine and perform it pregame on the Freedom's final game of the season on June 20.
For more information, see the flyer (pictured here), sign up here or contact Rachael Liberto by phone at 800-500-1776 or at rliberto@trentonfreedom.com
Play on the Red Turf
If you have a sports group that is interested in playing on the Freedom red turf before one of the home games, please contact General Manager Jeff Gonos at jgonos@trentonfreedom.com for more details.
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 20, 2015
- Freedom Update - Trenton Freedom
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