Game Preview: Reading Express at Chicago Slaughter
Published on March 3, 2011 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Reading Express News Release
Reading, Pa. (March 3, 2011) - The Reading Express hit the road this week in their first away game of the season to battle the Chicago Slaughter at the Sears Centre Arena this Saturday. The Express enter Week 3 after edging out the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 33-26 last week in their gripping season-opener in Reading. In Chicago the Express aim to remain flawless this week as they face the 1-1 Slaughter in what promises to be thrilling match up.
The Slaughter are coming off a nail-biting three point loss to the Omaha Beef. The Slaughter won their Week 1 match-up in La Crosse against the Spartans. That Slaughter-Spartans match-up was the featured game for this year's IFL Kickoff Classic, held a week before the rest of the league got rolling.
Offensively, the Slaughter enter Week 3 averaging 52 points, 184 total yards, 60 rushing yards, and completing 13 passes per game. On the defensive side, they boast two touchdowns, two forced fumbles, and three sacks per game, all while keeping their opponents to just 83.5 rushing yards per game.
For the Express, they left the Steelhawks game with 33 points, 229 total yards, 114 rushing yards, and 13 passing completions. On defense, the Express held the Steelhawks to 193 total yards and only 37 yards on the ground, while registering one interception and two sacks.
Rivals: The biggest story line for this Express-Slaughter game might be the QB matchup. The Express will start Chris Malleo again this week, and the Slaughter hope to have C.J. Bacher behind center. Malleo and Bacher were teammates at Northwestern University. In the start against La Crosse, Bacher was 9-17 for 74 yards, with one TD and one INT before leaving the game with an injury. In the Lehigh Valley game, Malleo hit on 13 of 29 for 118 yards, with three TD and one INT. Malleo also added two rushing scores on his way to leading the IFL in rushing with 112 yards. If Bacher is healthy enough to start, it will surely up the ante for Malleo. The fans may be treated to a show of two former teammates trying to one up the other.
Star Appeal: The Slaughter have two prominent names in their organization. Staying true to their Chicago roots are Slaughter Head Coach Steve McMichael and team Owner Jim McMahon. McMichael and McMahon were both a part of the Bears' Super Bowl season in 1985.
Watch on the Web: The Express-Slaughter game is set for 8:05 p.m. EST on Saturday. The game will be Webcast live on America One. Check out www.expressindoorfootball.com for details.
Reading Express Indoor Professional Football will begin the 2011 season on Saturday, February 26, on The Reading Hospital Medical Group Field at Sovereign Center against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. Tickets are now on sale at www.expressindoorfootball.com, or you can call 610.372.PASS (7277) to order.
The Reading Express are one of the most established franchises in indoor football. In five seasons, the team has amassed an overall record of 64-20 with four playoff appearances, two conference titles and the 2009 AIFA National Championship. In 2011, Reading will begin play as a new member of the Indoor Football League.
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