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RiverRats slip up on road By Richard W. Kozak, Jr.  |
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Yankees vs. Red Sox.
Ali vs. Frazier.
Now, you can add the Erie RiverRats vs. the Reading Express to the mix of greatest sports rivalries on the modern landscape. One week after the ‘Rats downed the Express 51-32 on the floor of the Tullio Arena to clinch a share of the division lead, Erie traveled to Reading and the results were not close to the same.
The ‘Rats uncharacteristically committed seven turnovers en route to a 66-26 pasting at the hands of the Express. The ‘Rats finish their season at 10-4, but the Express still have one game remaining against lowly Baltimore. Currently, the Express are a ½ game behind Erie with a 9-4 ledger. Even though the teams could finish with identical records, the Express hold playoff tie breakers with a win in the season series.
Perhaps the largest difference with the game of seven day’s earlier was the play of both quarterbacks. In stark contrast to last week’s game in Erie, the game was a complete 180 degree turnaround.
The catalyst to the ‘Rats offensive revival all season long was the play of quarterback Rod Rutherford. This game however, Rutherford looked the most uncomfortable he’s looked in the pocket all year long while his Express counterpart Rob Flowers took one week to blossom into one heck of a quarterback.
The ‘Rats never had a chance in the game. Before the mid-point of the second quarter, the Express were in front by a score of 30-7. Flowers threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more while the ‘Rats were as confused and disorganized as they have been all year long and never got on track.
Flowers accumulated 62 rushing yards and was 21-35 through the air for 220 yards with five passing touchdowns and four of the rushing variety. Conversely, Rutherford struggled the entire evening finishing with 11-24 for 169 yards and two touchdowns. The turning point were the team’s struggles with four interceptions that the Express turned into points.
In the second half, Erie made the score as close as 44-26 until the Express ran off 22 unanswered points. Another difference between last week and this week is the physical play of the Express. The Express sacked Rutherford five times and had numerous knockdowns on the former Pitt standout.
As he has been throughout his career, Carmelo Ocasio continues to torch Erie clubs. Ocasio caught nine passes for 77 yards and two major scores.
Perhaps even of more importance was that the win for Reading solidified home field playoff advantage if the Express beat Baltimore by virtue of a better head to head record with Erie. In all contests, the home team was victorious and was a definite advantage throughout the game.
The Tullio Arena was its loudest of the year against the Express, but Reading Sovereign Center was equally as loud in support of their Express.
In either scenario, the teams will meet on July Fourth weekend at the home field of the team with the best record. So, once again, two juggernauts will meet to advance in the AIFA playoffs.
For fans, it’s the best possible scenario. To quote the great philosopher Ric Flair, “To be the best, you got to beat the best.”
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