Road Weary Freeze flooded by Johnston
May 1, 2006 - American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Erie Freeze News Release
(Johnstown, PA; April 29) The first place Erie Freeze (7-2) of the Northern Conference of the American Indoor Football League offered no excuses after the teams 57-38 loss at the hands of the Johnstown Riverhawks (5-4) at the War Memorial.
As has been the case over the last few weeks, the Freeze suffered through an extremely cold start, but despite a better second half could not muster a trademark comeback in entering the loss column for only the second time in the 2006 season.
Freeze owner Dave Hodas admitted, "We might be in first place and defending regular season champions, but on Saturday night the Riverhawks were the better team."
When asked of his mood regarding the team's performance, Hodas was honest, "Am I happy that we lost the game? No. Are there things we need to work on to get better? Yes."
Hodas added, "This game just shows the level of play that's developing in the AIFL. Teams have to bring their 'A' game all the time, because regardless of how good a team is, they can still be beat. Give all the credit to Johnstown. They are professionals, too. I wish them all the best of luck, except when they play the Freeze."
The game also showed that while the Erie Freeze players have shown remarkable resilience all year long regarding game, practice, and travel schedules, the Freeze are human after all. The third road game in as many weeks finally caught up to the team and frustration mounted from the onset.
"I have a new sense of appreciation for what the Carolina Ghostriders went through last year and what faces the team this year. Everyone in the organization knew this four game road trip was coming, but until you live through it, it's tough," remarked Hodas.
"It's so much easier playing at home in professional sports. You get to sleep in your own bed. You're in a regular routine. Heck, have you ever had to drive for an hour or two and try to get out of the car and be sore and have to stretch to get going again. Well, double that bus ride and go play high level football," said Hodas.
"I'll give our team credit. Not one player made any excuses. They're professionals and know what happened. The mood in the organization made me think of a famous Vince Lombardi quote, 'The greatest accomplishment is not in ever falling, but in rising again after you fall.' With that philosophy imagine what these guys can do next week," concluded Hodas.
The Freeze fell behind 18-0 after the first quarter before David Dinkins put the Freeze on the scoreboard with a short run to make the score 18-7. The Riverhawks responded immediately as Adam Haught continued to put up some haughty numbers. The Riverhawks pivot threw for five major scores and ran for another.
Dinkins ran for another touchdown and found Darmel Whitfield from 33 yards out to close the gap to 32-20 at halftime but J.R. Cipra's missed extra point put a damper on the offensive enthusiasm. Cipra struggled on the day missing three extra points, two field goals, and not collecting a rouge on kickoffs.
When Cipra shortened kickoffs, the Freeze's special teams problems were only compounded by great Johnstown returns including one that was taken in for a touchdown by the ultra dangerous Carlos Campbell.
The Campbell touchdown was particularly back breaking since it immediately followed a fantastic 39-yard touchdown catch by Whitfield to open the scoring in the second half. The Freeze closed the gap to six points but could not capitalize on the situation.
Dinkins would find Chris Blackshear and Jon Frazier for 20-yard touchdown passes, but the Fearsome Frozen defense could not find an answer for Haught and the speedy and sure handed Quenteen Robinson before succumbing by the 57-38 final.
The Freeze hit the road again for the fourth consecutive week when they travel to Stuebenville to take on the Stampede on May 6. Tune into Jet Radio 1400 for all the action starting at 7 PM.
The Freeze will return home on May 12 in a battle of extreme proportions when they take on the surging Reading Express in a game for Northern Conference supremacy. The game will be the setting for the Freeze's unique, "Mother's Day Mayhem" celebration.
Log on to www.eriefreeze.com for more information.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from May 1, 2006
- Stampede Fumble Snaps, and Game - OSC Original by J.P. Matti
- Family Feud Set for Friday at the Forum - Rome Renegades
- Road Weary Freeze flooded by Johnston - Erie Freeze
- AIFL Week 10 Recaps - AIFA
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