RiverRats Dominate Defending Champs

Published on June 28, 2009 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


ERIE, PA - (6/28/09) The Erie RiverRats won their final game of the season last night in convincing fashion with a 60-20 drubbing of the defending champs, the Florence Phantoms at the Tullio Center in Erie.

Quarterback Kevin Mason, who had struggled earlier in the season, looked like the championship quarterback of old with a 10-yard scramble to get the scoring started for Erie.

Defensive back Dwaon Woodard continued his torrid pace in the defensive secondary for the RiverRats, tying a team record with three interceptions in the contest. An amazing feat considering Woodard had done the same the week before by intercepting three passes against the DC Armor. His 47-yard interception return in the first quarter gave the RiverRats a lead they would never relinquish.

The Phantoms got on the board when quarterback Richard Curtis found Torrie Pettigrew in the end zone early in the second quarter. Mason again scampered into the end zone, this time from seven yards out, and then would find Chris "Crazy Legs" Kolokithas from four yards out to give Erie a 27-14 lead at the half.

The second half was all defense for the RiverRats as defensive end Neil Wood earned three sacks, one for a safety. Defensive end DaJuan Smith added another sack, and Erie added three interceptions, one by Woodard, one by Taurean Valentine and one by linebacker Bernard Faithful to turn the game into a rout. Backup quarterback Efi Eyo got into the action with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Kolokithas in the 4th quarter and Rats kicker Joe Lindway finished the evening with a 23-yard field goal to provide the final score. Head coach Steven G. Folmar was very satisfied with the evening's results, "Tonight was huge for professional football in Erie. There were no playoff implications, but it was huge for the moral of the team and the organization. This is something to build off of. We had a good size crowd that was very vocal and supportive and the guys put on a show for them. And the new ownership group that has done so much to turn this organization around the last 10 weeks got to see a little fruit of their labors this evening. A good night all the way around."

The evening featured a ceremony to recognize three retiring warriors for the RiverRats. Defensive linemen DaJuan Smith and David Smith, as well as offensive guard Anthony Peluso played their last games in Erie Saturday night capping over 13 years of playing professional football in Erie between the three of them. The Erie RiverRats now look forward to a successful 2010 campaign on the field and off.

Come join the Erie Riverrats of the American Indoor Football Association in 2010. Fans interested in tickets can call our offices at 1-888-Riv-Rats or click on the link at the Riverrats' website at www.erieriverrats.com. You can also contact the Rats now for sponsorship or public appearance opportunities.

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from June 28, 2009


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