By Jordan Benedict, Staff Writer
The Reading Express return home to the Sovereign Center this week after being on the road the past three weeks. On Saturday night, the Express are slated to take on division rival Richmond Revolution at 7:00 p.m. as part of Heart Health Night, presented by The Reading Hospital Medical Group.
This will be the second meeting of the two teams this season. Previously, the Express walked away with a win in Richmond at April 9. That 25-14 win came in a rain-soaked game outdoors at the SportsQuest complex in Chester County, Va. This Saturday’s game marks the first time the Revolution are making a trip to Reading, Pa.
Heading into Saturday night’s game, the Express are coming off a thrilling 40-37 win against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks. The Express upended Lehigh Valley on a last-second, 13-yeard field goal by veteran kicker Erik Rockhold. That win, the third this season over Lehigh Valley, helped the 5-3 Express remain on top of the IFL’s Atlantic Division, ahead of the Steelhawks (1-6) and the Revolution (1-6). The Express is also tied for fourth-best record in the IFL’s United Conference with the Chicago Slaughter. A win this week will get the Express closer to the Atlantic Division title, as well as inch them closer to a coveted playoff spot for the 2011 IFL season.
The Revolution are headed to Reading coming off of a bye week. In their most-recent game, the Revolution lost to the Bloomington Extreme 53-40. The Revolution are a young team this year with a new coach, and a lot of new players. The team is also building a new arena and has had the challenge of playing all their home games this season outdoors. Their only win this season came in an overtime battle against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks at Stabler Arena.
Statistically here’s how both teams look.
On the season the Express offense is averaging 35 points per game, 115 passing yards, and about 14 passing completions, with 22 total passing touchdowns on the season. As for the defensive side of the ball, the Express are averaging 39.4 points against, while giving up 217.6 yards per game on the season. The team has registered 337 tackles and 12 sacks.
Meanwhile, the Revolution’s offense is averaging 32.4 points, 76.3 passing yards, and about 11 passing completions per game, with 16 total passing touchdowns. On the defensive side, Richmond averages 44.9 points against, while giving up 260.7 yards per game. The team has recorded 294 tackles and five sacks.
On Saturday night the Express hope to satisfy fans with a win at home after what seems like an eternity of being on the road. With just three home games left in the regular season, the Express aim to continue to gain momentum towards a post-season run in their first IFL season.
Game Time: This Saturday's game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. at the Sovereign Center. If the Express beat the Richmond Revolution, the Express moves closer to clinching the Atlantic Division and getting a coveted spot in the IFL playoffs. It's Heart Health Night, presented by The Reading Hospital Medical Group. The event will feature a special silent auction to benefit The Friends of The Reading Hospital, HeartSAFE Berks County program.
Photo from the Richmond Revolution 
