Post by Banana Cat on Jun 2, 2012 9:59:38 GMT -5
www.goerie.com/article/20120602/FOOTBALL09/306029925/Erie-Explosion-enter-stretch-run
Erie Explosion enter stretch run
By BOB JARZOMSKI, Erie Times-News
A surprising 60-18 thumping of defending UIFL champion Cincinnati a week ago has put the Erie Explosion into a first-and-four situation in their quest for a league championship.
"That's been our goal since we finished our games at home last month,'' Erie coach Shawn Liotta said.
The Explosion, 7-2 and in control of their North Division playoff destiny, will visit the resurrected Johnstown Generals (3-5) today at 7 p.m. at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
On March 11, in their first visit this season to the building where the hockey movie "Slap Shot" was filmed, Johnstown stunned Erie 39-37. The team's activities since have been noteworthy:
- Liotta immediately brought in quarterback A.J. McKenna, who since has thrown for 1,526 yards and 31 touchdowns.
- Erie routed Johnstown twice at what's now Erie Insurance Arena before the building was closed for long-awaited renovations.
- The Johnstown franchise was suspended for two weeks for canceling two home games without notifying the league. It has since been reinstated.
- Cincinnati (7-2) lost to the Marion Blue Racers (7-3) for its first setback in 20 games to create a late-season title race.
The Explosion are presented with a chance to control their own playoff destiny. They could host the North Division championship game at an outdoor venue in late June with wins at Johnstown and at Marion on June 9.
The romp over the Commandos, their first loss in three seasons at venerable Cincinnati Gardens, was thorough destruction. In the teams' first meeting, Cincinnati took a 27-1 halftime lead in Erie April 15 en route to a 55-34 win.
"Except for maybe the final score, we weren't surprised at all that we would win, since we dominated the second half of our game in Erie,'' Liotta said. "Our guys were ready, are on a mission, and we beat them handily on both sides of the ball.''
McKenna threw for four touchdowns and ran for three more, while former Gannon quarterback Darmel Whitfield finished up. Defensive back Quintarrius Brooks had three of the five interceptions of Commandos quarterback Tyler Sheehan.
Liotta said he doesn't know what to expect from the Generals, who beat the Western Pa. Sting 33-6 a week ago. The Sting, with no home site, also are owned by Generals owner Jeff Bullingers.
"They have a new coach (Mike Marshall), and some players that I recognize on the roster, but that's about all I know about them,'' Liotta said. "They could be the 1975 Steelers for all I know. But our players are focused, and want to make sure they don't slip up at Johnstown, or at Marion next week. Marion has a very good team, so we have to beat them to clinch the bye and wait to host the division championship game.''
A playoff win at an outdoor site would likely mean a visit to the unbeaten South Division-leading Florida Tarpons (10-0) for the UIFL crown.
"We have to take care of business on the road first and take the next two steps toward our ultimate goal,'' Liotta said.
Notes: McKenna leads the UIFL in total offense (270.3 yards per game), while wide receiver/kick returner Tirone Morris tops the UIFL in scoring with 180 points on 27 touchdowns and 18 two-point conversions. Defensive end Mike Robinson leads the league in sacks with 161/2.
By BOB JARZOMSKI, Erie Times-News
A surprising 60-18 thumping of defending UIFL champion Cincinnati a week ago has put the Erie Explosion into a first-and-four situation in their quest for a league championship.
"That's been our goal since we finished our games at home last month,'' Erie coach Shawn Liotta said.
The Explosion, 7-2 and in control of their North Division playoff destiny, will visit the resurrected Johnstown Generals (3-5) today at 7 p.m. at Cambria County War Memorial Arena.
On March 11, in their first visit this season to the building where the hockey movie "Slap Shot" was filmed, Johnstown stunned Erie 39-37. The team's activities since have been noteworthy:
- Liotta immediately brought in quarterback A.J. McKenna, who since has thrown for 1,526 yards and 31 touchdowns.
- Erie routed Johnstown twice at what's now Erie Insurance Arena before the building was closed for long-awaited renovations.
- The Johnstown franchise was suspended for two weeks for canceling two home games without notifying the league. It has since been reinstated.
- Cincinnati (7-2) lost to the Marion Blue Racers (7-3) for its first setback in 20 games to create a late-season title race.
The Explosion are presented with a chance to control their own playoff destiny. They could host the North Division championship game at an outdoor venue in late June with wins at Johnstown and at Marion on June 9.
The romp over the Commandos, their first loss in three seasons at venerable Cincinnati Gardens, was thorough destruction. In the teams' first meeting, Cincinnati took a 27-1 halftime lead in Erie April 15 en route to a 55-34 win.
"Except for maybe the final score, we weren't surprised at all that we would win, since we dominated the second half of our game in Erie,'' Liotta said. "Our guys were ready, are on a mission, and we beat them handily on both sides of the ball.''
McKenna threw for four touchdowns and ran for three more, while former Gannon quarterback Darmel Whitfield finished up. Defensive back Quintarrius Brooks had three of the five interceptions of Commandos quarterback Tyler Sheehan.
Liotta said he doesn't know what to expect from the Generals, who beat the Western Pa. Sting 33-6 a week ago. The Sting, with no home site, also are owned by Generals owner Jeff Bullingers.
"They have a new coach (Mike Marshall), and some players that I recognize on the roster, but that's about all I know about them,'' Liotta said. "They could be the 1975 Steelers for all I know. But our players are focused, and want to make sure they don't slip up at Johnstown, or at Marion next week. Marion has a very good team, so we have to beat them to clinch the bye and wait to host the division championship game.''
A playoff win at an outdoor site would likely mean a visit to the unbeaten South Division-leading Florida Tarpons (10-0) for the UIFL crown.
"We have to take care of business on the road first and take the next two steps toward our ultimate goal,'' Liotta said.
Notes: McKenna leads the UIFL in total offense (270.3 yards per game), while wide receiver/kick returner Tirone Morris tops the UIFL in scoring with 180 points on 27 touchdowns and 18 two-point conversions. Defensive end Mike Robinson leads the league in sacks with 161/2.