Geeklog Site

He�s Back !!!Ocasio Re-Signs

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:59:14 -0500

Reading Express GM/Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski announced today that he has re-signed former IUP star and Three year Express starting wide receiver, Carmelo Ocasio. �There was some question as to Carmelo re-signing for his fourth season with the Express. Actually Carmelo was talking retirement, especially after this season, which was played entirely with a series of three injuries. Time off, rest and a day or two of golf has changed Melo�s mind. He is healthy and pain free and with an off season of quality gym time along with proper rest and the care of our medical staff, an enthusiastic Ocasio is set to return to The Express in 2009. Carmelo holds every receiving record with the Express and I�m sure he�ll increase every one of those. I�m just looking forward to a healthy and pain free Melo. It�s actually amazing what this three time All-Star and former Player of the Year did last season. There were many weeks that myself, OC Chris Thompson and Head Medical Personnel John Howell of CATC were the only ones that knew how banged up Melo was and what we even felt he was capable of doing. He�s one of the toughest kids I have ever met and placed his body on the line for me week in and week out and never complained. He�s a warrior, plain and simple. This is a great signing and puts in place the foundation for a solid 2009 receiving group�, explained Nowotarski. Check out the Express website for open try-outs and event information at www.expressindoorfootball.com

Express Lineman Returning

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:58:00 -0500

Reading Express GM/Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski announced today that he has signed former Rowan College stand �out and grad Scott Blum. Blum started his college career at Dickenson College, but transferred to Rowan where in his senior year was named as a 1st Team All-American linemen. Before coming to the Express for the first time, Blum was in camp with the Austin Wranglers of the AFL. Last season, Scott looked into some other football opportunities for the start of the season. By mid �season Scott returned to the Express and here is where he plans to stay. �Scotty is a 6�3� 305lb offensive lineman that can play any of the three spots on the line. We also used Scott in some backfield sets last season. So I�m real happy at this time of the year to have Scott signed and committed to the Express for the 2009 Season�, said Nowotarski. �Since playing his first season here Scott has moved to our area and works locally and is a store manager of a Vitamin World franchise. This is a great start to our recruiting program for 2009.� Check out the Express website for open try-outs and event information at www.expressindoorfootball.com

County football coach of year named

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 19:38:10 -0500

7/30/08 There are a lot of adjectives to describe this Berks County native.All-American in track (while at Kutztown), All-Berks (while playing football, basketball and running track at Exeter High School), assistant football coach (Exeter, Central Catholic and Schuylkill Valley), outstanding defensive back (at Kutztown), in tryouts with two NFL teams as well as playing for the Michigan Panthers of the USFL, the Holmesburg Ramblers and the Chesmont Bandits. Most recently though, Bernie Nowotarski, along with being the general manager and head coach of the American Indoor Football Association's (AIFA) Reading Express, was named to the Berks County Football Coaches Hall of Fame. It was the third such honor he has received. He was also named to the Kutztown University Hall of Fame and the Exeter High School Hall of Fame Asked if he had the same feeling about going into this Hall of Fame as opposed to being inducted into Exeter High School or Kutztown's Hall of Fame, Nowotarski had an interesting answer. "In one aspect, this (the Coaches Hall of Fame) is the same as the other two. It's a great honor and another accolade you receive. I guess it's kind of different in the fact that Kutztown was my college and Exeter was my high school and that's voted on by the different school authorities. "However, the Coaches' Hall of Fame is every player or coach that's walked on a field in Berks County. It's a great honor and I'm really not that good with awards because to me, I'm still involved in a game that I've been playing since I was a kid in my backyard." "For someone to hand me an award for it is very gratifying and I'm very thankful for it." The former defensive back began his football career at the age of five. "I used to take my younger sister and stand her out in the yard with a football in her hands," Nowotarski said, "and just tackle her until she or both of us got tired." Nowotarski then began playing football for Exeter High School, along with basketball and track. "In high school, the sports transitioned right into one another, and it was pretty easy for me to do," said Nowotarski. He enjoyed participating in the ones he did, and felt that there was something about each of them that he got a kick out of, but admitted that his first love (and still is) was really football. "I certainly enjoyed basketball and there were things about being on the track team that I liked. I loved the competition of both those sports, but my heart has always been with football." Before attending Kutztown University, Nowotarski actually spent some time at Shippensburg University. He went there for a semester through a football and basketball scholarship. He wasn't really comfortable there and didn't really know if he fit the system at that point, and choose to transfer to Kutztown. Nowotarski noted that he used his track ability in college as a training tool for football because it worked on his speed and form running. He also took two semesters of ballet classes, which helped with balance and coordination. Nowotarski was also a hot commodity coming out of his senior year at Kutztown. He had pro football scouts watching almost every move he made and met with a variety of teams. Nowotarski commented that there were scouts everywhere watching. "The day of the draft I was at the Pennsylvania State track meet," Nowotarski said, "and I actually had a scout from the Dallas Cowboys drive me home to see what the results of the draft was going to be." It was all a big blur to him, and with all the scouts watching him, he still had to keep his grades at a respectable level in order to graduate. For Nowotarski, it was an exciting experience, and it's something he'll never forget. After not being selected in the NFL Draft, Nowotarski said his agent was able to work out a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks. "We were able to work out a deal and go to Seattle," said Nowotarski. "I was from a small school and nobody gave me much of a chance I think, but it didn't take me long to show I could play. Ultimately, with both of the teams I had tryouts with, it was exciting, especially to come out of a tunnel and having 70,000 fans screaming for you. "At Kutztown we were lucky if we had 5,000 people at a game, so I was certainly proud of it and I would not trade it in for anything else that I've done." The same can be said for Nowotarski's stint with the United States Football League's (USFL) Michigan Panthers between 1982-83. After the Panthers came the Chesmont Bandits and the Holmesburg Ramblers. After his playing days were over, Nowotarski became an assistant coach for the football teams at Exeter, Central Catholic and Schuylkill Valley high schools. He said the methods and experience he had as a player really helped when coaching the defenses of those schools. How he got to be where his is today with the Reading Express came to Nowotarski completely by accident. "I saw an article in the Reading paper that there was going to be an arena football team coming to Reading in the upcoming year, and I wrote an email to their Web site. They were having a league open tryout at the Body Zone, and while I had my kids there skating, the gentleman I had been corresponding with was there. "We shook hands and I was asked to come and meet him. I came in to meet him later on that week, and at the end of the day I was the first employee of the Reading Express." Three years later (2008), he is now the head coach and general manager of the squad. Nowotarski says that having the mindset of a football player helps him relate well with the men on his team. "I know the highs and lows that they go through on a weekly and even daily basis. I think coming to this team, for me, was a perfect fit." Even though Nowotarski is thrilled to have both jobs with the Express, the duality of it, according to him, weighs on his mind more than others. "There is a lot to think of and a lot to keep track of, but I'm absolutely doing what I love," he said. "I'm involved with football every day and I get to have my kids and family involved. To me, it's like being Tiger Woods every day and being able to golf, except I do something with football every day." With all the accolades that Nowotarski has accrued during his football career, there's no doubt that being in the Berks County Football Coaches Hall of Fame is a big thrill for him. But for him, the biggest thrill is to just keep on doing what he's doing.

2nd Annual Reading Express Golf Tournament

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:39:23 -0500

2nd Annual Reading Express Golf Tournament Monday, September 22, 2008 Heidelberg Country Club 12:00 p.m. Shotgun Start (Rain or Shine) Come join the Reading Express for a day of fun and prizes on the golf course. Express players, coaches, front office, and The Smokin�f Hot Steam Team will be there to play along!! Scramble Format �� Dinner buffet after golf �� Win a New Truck for a Hole in One courtesy of Savage 61 Dodge ��Prizes for Closest to the Pin and Many others Sponsorship and Registration Form Please RSVP by Friday, September 19, 2008 Company: ___________________________________________________________________________ Contact: ___________________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ City: ______________________________ State: ____________ Zip: _________________ Phone: ______________________________ Fax: __________________________________ Email: ___________________________________________________________________________ ( ) Hole Sponsorship ($100 Each) ( ) Door Prize Donation Please list the door (Your company name will be prominently prize(s) you will be donating: Displayed at the tee) _____________________________________________ _____________________________________________ ( ) Foursome ($450) Discounted price if you book a foursome ( ) Individual Golfer ($125 Each) Includes Range, Dinner, Beer, Beverages, and Prizes! Name: _________________________________________________________ Avg. Score: _________ Name: _________________________________________________________ Avg. Score: _________ Name: _________________________________________________________ Avg. Score: _________ Name: _________________________________________________________ Avg. Score: _________ Name on Card: Credit Card #: SIC Code: Type of Card: MC VISA AMEX Signature: Please return form and check made payable to: Reading Express, ATTN: Brenda Mitchell 350 Bern Street, Reading, PA 19601 by September 19th, 2008 or fax form with payment information to 610-372-2329 or register by calling the Express office at 610-372-PASS (7277)

Letter from Bernie

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 20:10:58 -0500

Bernie Nowotarski General Manager Head Coach Cell: 610-468-1832 A Letter From The Heart: Well we have all had some time to let the pain of Saturday�s loss pass. So I wanted to write a little letter to reflect my feelings on what I think was a great season. My Owners and their company (Berks Fire Water Restorations). Thank you certainly isn�t enough, but from a GM and a Head Coach I know my ownership is committed to excellence and doing things the right way. Their employees, what can you say. I have accounting departments running my merchandise booth. I have field managers dressing up as mascots; I have the father of the owner driving my train, their marketing director running my game day ops. Its 100% co-operation at all times. It doesn�t get any better than that. My (Our) Team: First my coaches, What a group of tireless, unselfish men. Granted this was a new group, again�my plans are to end that trend and have my staff return. With that said, this was a group that only had one coach with any full time arena experience as a coach besides me. We grew together and learned from each other and our players. We certainly will work on our faults and make changes for next season, but I�m proud of the job they did and the sacrifices they made to be a part of this team. We all became friends on and off the field and those are relationships you keep for life. That goes for my medical team, my bus driver, who on the road even helps with game day situations. My front office man, who has to juggle seven or eight tasks at a time. My home game announcer, who travels with us on the road to webcast our games and helps with anything that we need. My stat guy and film guys, my music guys, both DJ and House band, who work full time jobs, but with no questions asked, do their part for our team. My Players: What a great group of young men. They have done everything that was asked of them from the first day of camp until the last day of our season. I have players from all over the country living here, away from loved ones, I have commuters who travel here four times a week, with $4 a gallon gas prices and I have local players who juggle their work schedules to be a practices and travel to away games. I know we feel like we didn�t accomplish everything we set out to do, but these guys brought home a third division title, a third conference championship appearance and brought our three year record to an outstanding 41-11, not bad for twenty-four new players with varying degrees of arena experience, most them being rookies. I love and respect each and every one of them. Our Sponsors: There�s no amount of thanks that can be given to these local companies and business men and women who help keep this team financially alive, as well as fed, groomed, physically fit, dressed in Express apparel. I have sponsors that keep the players cars running, their teeth, eyes and feet healthy. A practice facility, with regular practice hours. An arena staff from top to bottom that is simply the best to work with. A great group of media folks in all the areas, TV,Radio,Newpaper, Billboards who help spread the word about this team and organization, I thank you. Our Fans: Wow, where to even start here and what to say. Our number one fan and booster club leader does things for us that are so cool and so appreciated, he is the best. Our season ticket holders and the rest of our fans. There no words to describe you. You�re the absolute best fans in our league. Once again we were tops in the league with our attendance and it just keeps getting better and louder and more exciting and electric. We�re proud to have you as our loyal Express fans and we look forward to seeing all of you in the off season at local community events and parades as well as next years game. With our fans comes a special group of young ladies and that�s our Smokin Hot Steam Team. Again, this is a group of young women who sacrifice family time and personal time to train, work out, practice and make countless public appearances and all for very little in return except the joy of being associated with a team and organization and a group of fans and sponsors so that they can provide everyone has a great time and fun at our games. As you have seen, I have used no names at this point. I just did not want to forget anyone, because each and every one of you matter to me and this organization and without you all, this just doesn�t work. This leads me to my last group, My Family. There�s nothing more sacred and important to me than my family. My wife, my children, my parents, my in-laws, my sisters and niece and my close friends, without you I couldn�t do what I do. The six months of not being home for more than an hour or two a day with the exception of sleeping and that�s not a lot. The countless hours of film, recruiting calls, business calls at all hours, the appearances and of course having to deal with me before, on and after games, win or lose. My undying love and appreciation can never be truly said enough to you all, especially my wife April, who deals with this 24/7 � 365, I know being a GM�s / HC�s wife isn�t always so much fun�but I love you and I thank you for allowing me to continue to do something I love so much and am so passionate about. With that all said I will conclude this letter. It may not be what you expected from me, especially for those of you who know me and are close, I do not open up a whole lot about too much, but sometimes �ya know, ya just gotta let people know how ya feel.� Sincerely and Respectfully, Bernie Nowotarski Reading Express General Manager/Head Coach

Somehow, Express train stayed on track

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:20:39 -0500

7/14/2008 Although the end of the line came too early, the Reading Express enjoyed another wild ride in 2008. For all the obstacles the Express encountered during the 2008 season, it's amazing it rolled into its third straight conference championship. Though the sting of Saturday's 52-37 loss to the Florence Phantoms will linger, Express players and coaches some day will toot their horns when reflecting on this year's accomplishments. Shortly after suffering a 54-49 loss to Lakeland in last year's American Indoor Football Association championship game, the Express underwent somewhat of an overhaul. Bernie Nowotarski, an assistant coach for the first two seasons and general manager for the second, was named the Express' third head coach in three years. The Express also had to find a quarterback to replace Tom Stetzer, who had led the Express to division titles in its first two years. A quarterback battle between former Albright standout John Port and Muhlenberg and Kutztown University grad Rob Flowers carried over into the season. Neither had played a down of indoor football. Port was cut from the mold of a Stetzer, a pocket passer with a strong arm. Flowers was the more athletic quarterback, able to make plays with his arm and legs. Flowers finally won the starting job a month into the season. But the Express had to change its offense somewhat to showcase Flowers' talents. He finished the season with 59 touchdown passes and a franchise-record 24 more on the ground. However, he was somewhat erratic at times, especially on the road. In Flowers' defense, his three starting wide receivers were unable to play together until the 10th game of the season because of a series of injuries. First, three-year starter Carmelo Ocasio hobbled into the season with an ankle sprain. Yardon Brantley then suffered a separated shoulder in the second game. Each missed Games 3 through 6. When Ocasio returned for a 66-30 win over the same Florence team that ended the Express' 19-game home winning streak, three-year starter Shawn Foxworth joined Brantley on the sideline for three weeks until all three were back on the field together. But former Reading High standout and University of Pittsburgh graduate Sam Bryant wasn't as fortunate. Brought in to help the Express address a weakness in the defensive backfield, Bryant came up with an interception in each of the first two games. But late in the second game, a lopsided loss at Carolina, Bryant tore an Achilles' tendon and couldn't return. Whether Bryant will be on board with the Express next season is unknown. It's not certain which players will be back when Reading opens camp late next winter. "We haven't had that conversation yet," Nowotarski said. "We'll start to do a little bit more of that this week. We'll talk about a couple things with players before they leave town." Ocasio, who caught 98 touchdown passes in three years, and three-year starting offensive lineman Mark Stout had already said they will retire. The only certainty about the 2009 Reading Express team is that it will have a much different look than the first three seasons, when the franchisewon 41 of its 52 games. http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=98911 �Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.

Express loses title shot

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:41:32 -0500

By Brian Rippey Reading Eagle 7/13/2008 Reading, PA - A few plays could haunt the Reading Express for a long time. After having their American Indoor Football Association championship dreams derailed in a 52-37 loss to the Florence Phantoms Saturday night in the Sovereign Center, Express coaches and players could only ponder the what ifs. Perhaps the outcome of the Eastern Conference championship game would have been different had the Express not started slowly and fallen into a 20-point hole midway through the second quarter. Maybe the Express could have rolled into the second half with momentum had it not surrendered a touchdown with less than two seconds left in the first half after having pulled within five points. Or what if the Express could have punched the ball in late in the third quarter after getting a first down at the Florence 1 when trailing by 11 points? "We had an opportunity to get some momentum in the third quarter when we didn't score on the goal line," Express quarterback Rob Flowers said. "Had we done that, it might have been a different outcome." But it was a playoff outcome that has been all too familiar for the Express (11-5), which has been close to winning a title in each of its three seasons only to come up short each time. The Phantoms (12-4), who got five touchdown passes from Omar Jacobs, handed Reading its first home loss since the 2006 Eastern Conference championship game against Canton - a string of 19 home wins. Last season, Reading lost 54-49 in the AIFA title game to Lakeland in Florence, S.C. "We just came up short once again," Express wide receiver Carmelo Ocasio said. "We've had the teams, we've had the talent." Adding to Ocasio's pain in defeat was a back injury he suffered in the third quarter that sidelined him for nearly 15 minutes. Backup quarterback Dan Kelly filled in at receiver and helped rally the Express. Kelly caught a 14-yard pass that set up an 8-yard touchdown run by Flowers that closed Florence's lead to 42-31 with 9:15 left in the third quarter. After the Express defense made a stop, Flowers threw 13 yards to Shawn Foxworth and 14 yards to Kelly to give Reading a first down the Phantoms 1. But Flowers, who rushed for two touchdowns and passed for three, was stopped short of the goal line on three straight runs. On fourth down, a high snap sailed over Flowers' head and ended in a 21-yard loss. "Those you've got to put in the end zone," Express coach Bernie Nowotarski said. "You end up 3 inches away and don't put it in. Maybe we should have passed, I don't know. We just did not execute when we needed to." Florence, which will host the AIFA championship game in two weeks, padded its lead to 14 points on a Derek Scott 31-yard field goal with 13:34 left. Reading pulled within one score when Yardon Brantley made his second TD reception, a 4-yarder with 6:53 left that made it 45-37. But Florence answered with a touchdown drive that took more than four minutes and the air out of the Sovereign Center crowd. Although many players, coaches and fans will wonder what if, Express linebacker Matt Sola said he won't be playing that game. "I'm not big on that," Sola said. "I just say we've got to play better to win the game. You can't say what if, what if. If you do that you're going to beat yourself up for the next year. Basically, you let it go. We lost." http://www.readingeagle.com/article.aspx?id=98835 �Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371- 5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.

Congrats to the Express organization!

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 22:47:11 -0500

Where do i start? I guess from the top. Thanks to Ted & Lisa Lavendar for letting me be a part of a winning organzation and for putting together the pieces to the puzzle to have a winning & stable team here in Reading. We have a bright furture and WE WILL GET THAT LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP! Congrats & Thanks to Bernie & Chris for a great season & their hard work in coaching & recruiting players, sponsors and everything else and for always being communicative with me when i need them. Also the rest of the Express coaching staff for all their hard work & sacrifice. Thanks to Front Office Coordinator Jason Ogle for assisting me when i needed it and for always being friendly and willing to help. The guy is the best & takes on every task with a smile. Thanks to Brenda Mitchell for working with me on Booster Club things & assisting in making the membership cards. We'll make 09 even better! Special Thanks to the Steam Team for their efforts on & off the field & especially Elaine, Kendra, Amanda, LeeAnn and Siobhan for their hard work in putting the "Erie" trip together & a success. All you girls are classy and i hope ya'll come back next season. And last but not least THANKS to the players and coaches for their hard work & dedication. As far as i am concerned YOU GUYS ARE CHAMPIONS! I dont need a trophy to convince me otherwise. Stay safe & enjoy the offseason and we'll get back to our winning ways in 09'. I want to save the last THANKS for all you EXPRESSFANS. This being my 3rd year running the Booster club i can say without a doubt that you all are the best fans in any league in any sport anywhere, period! You are my driving force to continue to run the Booster Club for this team and i look forward to improving things and serving you all in 2009! Keep your chins up and be proud. Most teams could only hope to have & share what we all have with one another. We are family and we will endure. See you all in 2009. ~Gene REBC president expressfans@dejazzd.com 1.484.477.2315 http://www.expressfans.com Join Today & Support Your Team!

Sola's big plays key for Express

Sat, 12 Jul 2008 06:49:31 -0500

By Brian Rippey Reading Eagle 7/12/08 Reading, PA - Matt Sola is quick to tackle any question about what he likes most about playing linebacker for the Reading Express. "It's just too much fun to seek that running back and destroy him," Sola said. "It's a beautiful thing. I love playing out there with a controlled chaos." Sola will take that mentality to the Sovereign Center at 7 tonight when the Express hosts the Florence Phantoms in the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Conference championship game. The winner will host the AIFA title game in two weeks. If the Express wins, the game would be Thursday, July 24, against the winner of the Mississippi-Wyoming game in the Sovereign Center, where the Express has won 19 straight. One of seven players who has been with the Express for all three seasons, Sola often has gone unnoticed. Since going about his job quietly the first two seasons made him feel somewhat underappreciated, Sola has changed his style. He raised more than a few eyebrows from Reading to Erie when Sola said he felt the Express was 40 points better than the RiverRats. He also has gotten into a few skirmishes on the field while sticking up for his teammates. "Being who I was wasn't enough for the league the past couple years," said Sola, who was omitted from league all-star teams. "I see guys out there acting like fools sometime; maybe I'll get a little foolish. But it's all in fun. I've been having a lot of good plays this year, too. With good plays come celebrations." Sola's biggest plays came in a home win over Arizona. He recovered a fumbled snap and walked into the end zone for the first touchdown of his playing career at Central Catholic, Kutztown University or the Express. On the final play of that game, Sola filled a hole near the goal line and stood up the Arizona running back as time ran out to preserve the win. "I can read a play, fill that hole better than the running back 90 percent of the time," Sola said. "It makes me feel like I'm in high school again. In high school, some of the hits I laid on some guys, they never saw them coming." Sola has made several other big plays, including a forced fumble in the regular season finale that helped the Express rally past Baltimore for a road win that gave Reading homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. And there was a crushing blow for a safety that Sola said he is certain Phantoms quarterback Omar Jacobs will remember when he returns to Reading tonight. That came during Reading's 66-30 rout of the Phantoms April 19. The Phantoms have regrouped since and are riding an eight-game winning streak, including a 55-9 win over Huntington Monday in the South Division championship game. But Sola said the Express is ready for the challenge from the Phantoms, a team that has several players from the Lakeland squad that defeated Reading 54-49 in last year's AIFA title game. "There's enough guys here from those last two years that still have the taste, that nasty feeling of losing the championship game last year and losing the conference championship the year before," Sola said. "This team, we have that feeling this year, the desire to get out there and take it home for the city of Reading." �Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.

Protecting Flowers is Henleys main job

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 07:21:41 -0500

Express RB Jason Henley touches the ball less than twice a game, but his importance to the offense is crucial. By Brian Rippey Reading Eagle Don't be deceived by the little numbers. Running back Jason Henley is a big part of the Reading Express offense, even though he touches the ball less than twice a game. The former Boyertown and Kutztown University standout has started every game for the Express, including the exhibition game against Arizona. In 16 games Henley has carried just 22 times and caught only five passes. He is averaging less than 1 yard per carry. "My role is simply to protect (quarterback) Rob Flowers when he's passing and to block for him when he decides to run the ball," Henley said. "When they call my number I've got to be ready and hopefully something good comes of it." Giving Flowers time to throw will be Henley's primary responsibility again Saturday when the Express (11-4) hosts the Florence Phantoms (11-4) in the American Indoor Football Association Eastern Conference championship game at 7 p.m. in the Sovereign Center. But Henley, who played tight end at Kutztown and Boyertown, has shown a knack for being a playmaker. In Reading's 65-57 East Division Championship win over Erie, Henley ran 2 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and caught a pass for a two-point conversion. He has scored 5 touchdowns this season, nearly every five times he touches the ball. "I'm always excited when we're down at the 1-yard line hoping that Coach will call my number," Henley said. "Every football player wants the ball more. But as I long as I'm winning I'm happy." The Express is enjoying its third straight winning season and is hosting the conference championship game for the third straight year. Reading has won 19 straight in the Sovereign Center, including last year's conference championship game against Canton. Florence also is among the 19 straight victims, losing to the Express 66-30 April 19. Since then, Florence has won 9-of-10, including eight straight. The only loss was by one point to South Division champion Mississippi. Being part of a winning team is something new for Henley, who never played for a contender before. "I have a chance right now to play for a championship," Henley said. "We won our division, which is neat. It's something I never got to experience in my football career. It's been fun." The 6-4, 250-pound Henley is doing some other things for the first time that aren't quite as enjoyable. His first job is to pick up a blitzing linebacker with a full head of steam or a 300-pound defensive lineman after he has gotten through the offensive line. "It's something coming into this year I didn't think it would be as tough as it's been," Henley said. "When I was a blocking tight end I usually has some help from an offensive tackle. I wasn't taking on a full-out blitzing linebacker. It has been a lot different." �Contact Brian Rippey at 610-371-5070 or brippey@readingeagle.com.