Post by 50yardfan on Jun 23, 2011 23:20:33 GMT -5
Erie Explosion's record season ended in disappointment
www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110623/FOOTBALL09/306239924/-1/SPORTS
Adam DiMichele threw an SIFL regular season-record 91 touchdowns, but remains upset about what he and the Erie Explosion didn't do in the playoffs.
"We thought we could be the team that brings a championship to Erie," he said. "We felt like we let the city down a little bit."
The Explosion lost 68-43 at Albany (Ga.) in the SIFL conference semifinals Saturday.
"I just looked at every indoor league -- IFL, SIFL, UIFL," Explosion coach Shawn Liotta said. "Through (Monday) night, home teams are 14-0. So there hasn't be a road team to win a playoff game. It's a difficult thing to do. (We) had a long trip (964 miles) down there. That certainly was a challenge."
While the loss is still bothering the Explosion, they're taking solace in the successes of this season.
Erie (9-4) won the Northeast Division title and set numerous league records with an exciting brand of indoor football. They also led the SIFL in scoring offense and pass offense.
"I'm very proud of how we played," Liotta said. "We set some records that will never be broken."
The Explosion were led by DiMichele, a rookie quarterback out of Temple, and indoor veteran receiver Kevin Concepcion, who caught a stunning 46 TDs in the regular season.
To Liotta, they had the kind of season that typically ends with some individual recognition.
"They can announce whoever they want, but if you don't have co-MVPs with Adam DiMichele and Kevin Concepcion, I think it's a shame," Liotta said. "Come on. How could you not?"
Each team gets two votes for the MVP award. One vote comes from the coach and the other comes from the front office, Liotta said.
"It's not even an argument," Liotta said. "The statistics those guys put up will never be broken in this league. They have to be co-offensive MVPs. Not a question. No question at all."
DiMichele, who set the SIFL single-game record for touchdown passes in a game with 12 against Trenton on May 13, said he hopes to win the award, but would love to share it with Concepcion.
"In my opinion, Kevin and I should be one and one-A, or co-MVPs if they have that," DiMichele said. "It would be pretty cool, but whatever happens, happens. It's not something that's going to be a burden to me if I don't win. I won't be all that disappointed if it doesn't happen."
DiMichele threw just seven interceptions in the regular season, but the Panthers (11-2) picked him off six times in their playoff victory.
"We came out sluggish," said DiMichele, who also threw six scores in the playoff loss. "I threw an interception on the first drive and I think that kind of hurt us."
Still, DiMichele had an MVP-type season with the help of Concepcion, who caught a league-best 110 passes during the 12-game regular season.
"Without him this year, things would have been more difficult for myself," said DiMichele about Concepcion, who played for the Rochester Raiders of the IFL in 2010. "He taught me a few things along the way. Showed me the ropes, so to speak."
At the same time, the Explosion had more than just DiMichele and Concepcion.
"I thought we had a great team," Liotta said. "We were able to mix the veteran guys with some of the rookies we brought in. We blended it together and just had a solid team."
www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110623/FOOTBALL09/306239924/-1/SPORTS
Adam DiMichele threw an SIFL regular season-record 91 touchdowns, but remains upset about what he and the Erie Explosion didn't do in the playoffs.
"We thought we could be the team that brings a championship to Erie," he said. "We felt like we let the city down a little bit."
The Explosion lost 68-43 at Albany (Ga.) in the SIFL conference semifinals Saturday.
"I just looked at every indoor league -- IFL, SIFL, UIFL," Explosion coach Shawn Liotta said. "Through (Monday) night, home teams are 14-0. So there hasn't be a road team to win a playoff game. It's a difficult thing to do. (We) had a long trip (964 miles) down there. That certainly was a challenge."
While the loss is still bothering the Explosion, they're taking solace in the successes of this season.
Erie (9-4) won the Northeast Division title and set numerous league records with an exciting brand of indoor football. They also led the SIFL in scoring offense and pass offense.
"I'm very proud of how we played," Liotta said. "We set some records that will never be broken."
The Explosion were led by DiMichele, a rookie quarterback out of Temple, and indoor veteran receiver Kevin Concepcion, who caught a stunning 46 TDs in the regular season.
To Liotta, they had the kind of season that typically ends with some individual recognition.
"They can announce whoever they want, but if you don't have co-MVPs with Adam DiMichele and Kevin Concepcion, I think it's a shame," Liotta said. "Come on. How could you not?"
Each team gets two votes for the MVP award. One vote comes from the coach and the other comes from the front office, Liotta said.
"It's not even an argument," Liotta said. "The statistics those guys put up will never be broken in this league. They have to be co-offensive MVPs. Not a question. No question at all."
DiMichele, who set the SIFL single-game record for touchdown passes in a game with 12 against Trenton on May 13, said he hopes to win the award, but would love to share it with Concepcion.
"In my opinion, Kevin and I should be one and one-A, or co-MVPs if they have that," DiMichele said. "It would be pretty cool, but whatever happens, happens. It's not something that's going to be a burden to me if I don't win. I won't be all that disappointed if it doesn't happen."
DiMichele threw just seven interceptions in the regular season, but the Panthers (11-2) picked him off six times in their playoff victory.
"We came out sluggish," said DiMichele, who also threw six scores in the playoff loss. "I threw an interception on the first drive and I think that kind of hurt us."
Still, DiMichele had an MVP-type season with the help of Concepcion, who caught a league-best 110 passes during the 12-game regular season.
"Without him this year, things would have been more difficult for myself," said DiMichele about Concepcion, who played for the Rochester Raiders of the IFL in 2010. "He taught me a few things along the way. Showed me the ropes, so to speak."
At the same time, the Explosion had more than just DiMichele and Concepcion.
"I thought we had a great team," Liotta said. "We were able to mix the veteran guys with some of the rookies we brought in. We blended it together and just had a solid team."