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Preview: Erie Storm Hosts Reading Express on March 7

March 5, 2010 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


ERIE, PA (March 5, 2010) - The Erie Storm of the American Indoor Football Association will open their 2010 campaign at home on Sunday, March 7 at the Tullio Arena in Erie when they host their Northern Division rivals and defending league champions, the Reading Express. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM.

Tickets for this and all seven scheduled regular-season home games for the Erie Storm can be purchased at the Tullio Arena box office (452-4857) andthrough all Ticketmaster outlets. All Erie Storm fans in attendance are invited to join us on the field following the game to meet, take pictures with, and get autographs from our players and coaches.

This Sunday's matinee marks the return of Head Coach Shawn Liotta, who begins his second tour of duty on the Erie sidelines. In the franchise's first year in Erie in 2008, Liotta led the team to a 10-4 regular-season record and a share of the Northern Division title. Erie was almost unstoppable at the Tullio Arena, winning six of seven, including the franchise's first victory over Reading, perennially one of the AIFA's top teams.

The Erie offense will be led by Rod Rutherford (6'2"-230, Pitt), who led the franchise in 2008 to a 7-2 record in his nine starts culminating with all-AIFA recognition and cementing his reputation as one of the league's most lethal dual-threat quarterbacks, passing and rushing.

Rutherford's receiving targets are expected to include Darmel Whitfield (5'11"-190, Gannon), whoholds the current franchise records for receptions, yardage, and touchdowns, set in 2008, David Dinkins (6'2"-220, Morehead State), a three-time all-league selection and former league MVP in 2006, Trumaine Riley (5'9"-185, Eastern Michigan) who led Erie in receivingand kick returning and was an all-AIFA selection in 2009, and Eugene Baker (6'1"-183, Kent State), who enjoyed a seven-year career in the NFL playing with the Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers.

The Erie offensive line, which has the responsibility of ensuring adequate protection and time for the Storm playmakers, will have a decidedly local flavor. Mike Fazio (6'4"-290, Edinboro) will center an improved offensive line, and he will likely be joined by lineman Joe Blanks (6'3"-315, Winston-Salem State) from Cathedral Prep, and fullback Bob Hammer (6'1"-280, Mercyhurst), who prepped at Fort LeBoeuf.. Ron Idoko (6'3"-320, Pitt) is expected to man the other lineman spot although Jamar Foulks (6'3"-340, Mansfield) or Roger Gibson (6'5"-285, Akron) could also see action.

Despite his reputation as an offensive mastermind, Erie Storm Head Coach Shawn Liotta spent a considerable amount of effort during the offseason recruiting elite playmakers on defense. That's a good thing, as Erie's defensive unit will be tested right away as it will be asked to contain Reading QB Rob Flowers who led the Express to the AIFA championship and won the league MVP award in 2009, completing 61% of his passes for 3,350 yards and 72 touchdowns with just 13 interceptions, and adding another 13 touchdowns rushing. His two main WR targets return this season, including Carmelo Ocasio (108 catches for 1,254 yards and 26 TD's in 14 games) and Jeff Willis (86 catches for 1,105 yards and 25 TD's).

The Storm defense will have significant star power of its own, as there are six players who are expected to suit up for Erie this weekend who have been all-AIFA selections, including both starting linebackers, and three members of the defensive secondary.

The heart of the Erie defense is the linebacker crew, which will be led by Roosevelt Benjamin (6'2"-255, Clarion) and Glenroy Watkins (6'2"-250, Central Florida). Benjamin is the only player in AIFA history to have been named a league All-Star with three different franchises, including Canton, Erie, and Carolina. Watkins was unquestionably the biggest playmaker on the Erie defense during its playoff run in 2008, finishing among the league leaders in total tackles (46), tackles for loss (13.5) and sacks (11.5), all of which remain franchise records.

The defensive secondary will feature two players who made their pro football reputations in Erie, including Sam Reynolds (6'1"-210, Valdosta State), a former all-league selection who returns after missing most of 2009 with a knee injury, and Chris Blackshear (6'0"-180, Central CT State), another perennial all-league selection who returns to Erie after playing with the Carolina Speed in 2009.

Trent Jones (6'2"-237, Indiana-PA), joins the Storm after successful stints in Reading and Johnstown where he has been a three-time all-AIFA selection as a DB and kick returner. Rounding out the group will be Eric Wicks (6'1"-205) who will see time at DB and WR. Wicks was a standout performer at West Virginia including being named to the 2006 All-Big East Team and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy watch list, and finished his career with 187 tackles and 9 interceptions.

Erie's defense line, the Storm Front, will be anchored in the middle by Phil Tillman (6'2"-330), a previous all-AIFA performer and a major disruptive force to AIFA offenses in 2007-2008 who makes his return to Erie for 2010. Joining him on the line will be Troy Blackwell (6'9"-305, Chattanooga) who starred for three seasons for Wilkes-Barre of af2, and Chris Murphy (6'4"-270) who is expected to make his professional debut following a standout collegiate career in the PSAC with Gannon. Other options to spend time on the Storm defensive line include Michael Harden (6'3"-270, Glenville State) and Jovalle McKenzie (6'3"-255, Indiana-PA).

Nick Terracina (5'8"-185, Youngstown State) will assume the kickoff and field goal responsibilities for the Storm in his pro football debut.

Following its season opener, Erie will stay at home for a second consecutive week when it hosts the Harrisburg Stampede on Sunday, March 14. The Stampede won the season series 2-1 in 2009, with each of the two games in Erie not decided until the games' final moments and both very physical and hotly-contested affairs.

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