Reading Express Win Thrilling Season-Opener Against Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
February 27, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Reading Express News Release
Reading, Pa. (February 26, 2011) - The Reading Express opened up their 2011 season with a nail biting 33-26 victory over the upstart Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. The win ended up being a relief to Express fans. The Express came out of the gates slow to start the game, giving up two touchdowns on just four plays from scrimmage.
The quick scores were a bit of a shock to the hometown fans, who seemed to be expecting a little different scenario with an expansion team in town. One of the first bright spots came after the Express blocked the Steelhawks' extra point after the second touchdown, keeping the team at 13.
Then, appointed starting quarterback Chris Malleo took over. Malleo stepped it up a notch, took control and led two scoring drives to put the team up 14-13 at halftime.
Reading came out of the half right where they left off; putting together three more scoring drives to go up 33-20. Lehigh Valley was able to muster one final score to close the gap to 33-26, a score that would remain until the final buzzer.
Malleo was definitely a popular guy during the post-game autograph session. He put up 124 yards in the air and 96 yards on the ground, en route to three passing TDs and 2 rushing TDs.
Malleo was definitely key in getting the Express out of that 13-0 deficit.
"We've got veterans on this team that have played a lot of football for the Reading Express, and they understand that this is not a game that you get down and you kind of put your head in the sand," said Malleo. "We just kept battling, and it was a good game. It was two teams in their first week of season. We just continued to battle and we made plays down the stretch."
On the defensive side of the ball, Express fans got their first glimpse of a lot of new faces. The unit shook off that slow start and finished strong.
"Honestly, when we first got out everyone's eyes got really big because of the lights and the crowd," said linebacker Michael Thompson, who registered an interception and four tackles. "But then we had to realize what got us through camp. That's focusing, mental toughness and being a family and respecting each other. We have each other's backs. After we got that down, everything fell into place."
Quarterback Challenge: There was a unique halftime event at tonight's game. The first annual QB Challenge, presented by BTI, pitted 16 of the area's top high school quarterbacks against each other in a throwing competition. Penn Manor's Adam Sahd picked up the win, and a nice $200 donation to his school's athletic program. Sahd barely edged Dan Collins of Williamstown (N.J.) for the win.
Next Event: The Reading Express travel to Chicago next weekend to face the Slaughter, a team part-owned by former NFL great Jim McMahon and coached by Bears great Steve McMichael. Kick-off is at 7:05. Stay tuned to www.expressindoorfootball.com for all the latest information on the team's first road trip of the 2011 season.
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.
Indoor Football League Stories from February 27, 2011
- Game Day Preview: Roughnecks at Allen Wranglers - West Texas Roughnecks
- Fever makes statement in 2011 season opener - Tri-Cities Fever
- Reading Express Win Thrilling Season-Opener Against Lehigh Valley Steelhawks - Reading Express
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