RiverRats take aim at North Division title

Published on June 13, 2008 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Explosion News Release


The North Division championship could be decided this weekend in Reading, PA, where the Erie RiverRats will take on the Reading Express for the third time this season, in one of the most important matchups of the AIFA season. This will be the second game of a home-and-home series played over the last two weekends. If Erie wins, it will clinch the North Division championship and home field advantage for at least the first round of the playoffs. If Erie loses, Reading could win the division if it defeats Baltimore the following weekend. The 'Rats will conclude their regular season with this game.

The teams split the first two games, both played in Erie. This will be the 'Rats first appearance this season in Reading.

In their first matchup played March 31 on a rare Monday night game, the 'Rats suffered their first loss of the season dropping a tough 44-34 decision at the Tullio Arena in Erie. In his first home start for Erie, QB Jarrod Highberger completed 15 of 32 passes for 196 yards and 3 touchdowns, but threw a crucial interception on a broken play with three minutes to go in the game that was returned 50 yards by Reading DB Trenton Jones for a touchdown and a ten-point lead the Express would not surrender.

In the second matchup played on May 31, Erie defeated Reading for the first time in its franchise history by the final score of 51-32, taking advantage of four pass interceptions, three in the fourth quarter alone, and getting big contributions from QB Rod Rutherford, with four passing and two rushing touchdowns, and WR Eugene Baker, with nine receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown in his indoor football debut. Erie defensive backs Chris Blackshear and Sam Reynolds contributed two interceptions apiece of Reading QB Rob Flowers, with Reynolds returning the last one 39 yards for a late touchdown which put the game away.

Since joining the 'Rats in April, Erie's record is 7-1 with QB Rod Rutherford leading the offense. In those eight games, Rutherford has completed 51% of his passes for 1,481 yards and 23 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions, and has accounted for an additional 14 touchdowns rushing. He is among the league leaders in total offense per game, total touchdowns, rushing yardage, and rushing touchdowns. His leading pass targets include Darmel Whitfield, with 59 catches and 15 touchdowns, and David Dinkins, with 38 receptions and 4 touchdowns.

Erie PK J.R. Cipra continues to be among the league leaders in several kicking categories, including PAT percentage (90%), field goals made per game (1.5), field goal accuracy (19-44), points scored (138), and kickoffs through the uprights (19 "unos").

Erie's defense is among the top three in the league in several categories including defensive touchdowns scored, fumbles recovered, quarterback sacks, opponent third down conversions. For 'Rats players are among the league leaders in tackles, including LB Glenroy Watkins, LB Roosevelt Benjamin, DB Sam Reynolds, and DB Chris Blackshear. Watkins is second in the league with 9.5 sacks and 11.5 tackles for losses, and DL Phil Tillman is among the league leaders in forced fumbles, and has contributed 6.5 sacks despite frequent double-teams.

Reading's Rob Flowers is a dual threat quarterback similar in style and statistics to Erie's Rutherford, Flowers has a 51% completion percentage and has thrown for 1,576 yards and 34 touchdowns with 11 interceptions, and has contributed an additional 261 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. Reading's receiving corps are led by veterans Shawn Foxworth (49 catches and 12 touchdowns) and Carmelo Ocasio (45 catches and 15 touchdowns). The Express feature a physical defense led by DB Trenton Jones (team-leading 41 tackles and 5 interceptions), LB Matt Sola (30 tackles with 8 for losses, and 4.5 sacks), and DL Brett Kolk (20 tackles with 11 for losses, and 6 sacks).

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American Indoor Football Association Stories from June 13, 2008


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