Pittsburgh RiverRats Drop Playoff Game to Reading 42-24

Published on June 11, 2007 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


Reading, PA - The Pittsburgh RiverRats lost their first round AIFA playoff matchup to the Reading Express 42-24. With the win, Reading advances to the North Division championship game, which they will host, against Canton.

The game got off to a fast start for the RiverRats. On the second play from scrimmage, QB David Dinkins connected with wideout Gerald Smith for a 44-yard touchdown and a 6-0 lead with an unsuccessful 2-point conversion. After Reading took its first lead on a 6-yard touchdown pass from QB Tom Stetzer to WR Shawn Foxworth, Pittsburgh scored the next 12 points with another touchdown pass, 30 yards from Dinkins to WR Brandon Jackson, and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown by CB Yaacov Yisrael.

The highlights for the RiverRats ended there, as the Reading defense stiffened and held the Pittsburgh offense out of the end zone until the last possession of the game with the outcome already decided. On two occasions, the RiverRats were held scoreless after first down and goal to go from the Express 1-yard line.

Pittsburgh QB David Dinkins completed 14 of 28 for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns and 1 interception, but was knocked out of the game early in the fourth quarter with a sprained ankle. Gerald Smith led the RiverRats receivers with 134 yards on a team-record 12 catches.

RiverRats Head Coach Shawn Liotta commented on the game and reflected on his team's first season, "Once again, you can see why Reading is at the top of our division. They really turned up the defensive heat after we jumped out early, and we weren't able to respond. We were hurt by not capitalizing on first-and-goal from the 1 twice, and committing 13 penalties is an absolute killer against a team as good as Reading. They've got great personnel on both sides of the ball, and they're very well-coached."

"I'm sorry to see this season end. We came a long way from starting 0-3 to end up in the playoffs, and I couldn't be prouder of our guys for putting in the work to improve. The coaches will take a few days off to rest, and then we'll get started on reviewing our season and our personnel. We have a very good nucleus, which we hope to retain for next season, with the hope of getting off to a better start. The 2008 season can not get here fast enough."

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