Ocasio comes back, leads Express in opener

March 15, 2009 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Reading Express News Release


The last time wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio shook hands and signed autographs after a Reading Express game was going to be his last time.

Ocasio said he wouldn't be back after the Express lost to eventual American Indoor Football Association champion Florence last year in the Eastern Conference championship game.

But after successful surgery and rehab on a right ankle that bothered him most of last season, Ocasio said he had second thoughts.

"It was a heartbreaker the way we went down last year knowing we could have been here for the championship," said Ocasio, the first player to sign with the Express in 2006. "I spoke too fast, especially with the year I had."

Ocasio and the Express are glad he reconsidered.

Ocasio caught two touchdown passes Friday night, giving him 100 for his career, to help Reading defeat the D.C. Armor 51-28 before 4,100 fans in Soverign Center as the Express opened its fourth AIFA season.

Ocasio caught the first and last of the five touchdown passes thrown by Rob Flowers as the Express led from start to finish before pulling away in the second half. Flowers, who also had a 12-yard touchdown run, completed 17-of-32 for 178 yards.

Ocasio finished with six catches for 61 yards, including a 2-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter for the opening score and a 9-yard TD catch in the fourth that gave the Express a 30-point lead with just over theee minutes left.

The game was stopped for a few moments as Express coach/general manager Bernie Nowotarski presented Ocasio with a ball to commemorate his milestone.

"It means nothing until we win a championship," Ocasio said. "We've done a lot around here. To me the biggest accomplishment is trying to bring a championship to this city."

The Express, which has won 41-of-52 games during its first three seasons, got off to a 14-0 lead after one quarter.

But the Armor, led by Randy Hymes with seven receptions for 127 yards and three touchdowns, stayed close. Hymes' 26-yard touchdown reception from quarterback Mike Scipione on the final play of the first half trimmed Reading's lead to 21-14.

The Express began to pull away in the second half when Matt Sola stepped in front of a Scipoine pass and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown. For Sola, another member of the Express since its inception, it was just his second touchdown.

"It's not a familiar feeling but it's a great feeling," Sola said. "I'll take it any time I can get it."

Sola had two interceptions and a fumble recovery and Trent Jones had two interceptions for the Express, which forced five turnovers but lost just one.

"The team that makes the most plays is going to win," Sola said. "Step up and make plays. You've just got to do it."

The Express had to do it without two defensive starters who left with injuries in the first half.

Defensive back Sam Bryant, who missed all but two games last season with an Achilles' tendon injury, suffered a shoulder injury. Defensive lineman Adam Vogel, who returned to Reading after playing for the Express the first two seasons, left with a calf injury.



American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 15, 2009


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.

OurSports Central