Explosion expect test vs. replacement team today

April 27--Erie Explosion coach Shawn Liotta believes there's a silver lining to playing another replacement opponent today in his team's regular-season finale.

Liotta thinks the ASI Panthers, the Philadelphia-area team the Explosion will host at 2 p.m. at Erie Insurance Arena, will be more competitive than the Detroit Thunder, who were scheduled to visit Erie but have suspended operations.

The upside, he said, is that the Explosion should get a better test in preparation for their May 9 CIFL playoff opener at Saginaw.

"It should be a pretty competitive game," Liotta said. "They've played some professional indoor teams and done very well against them. They're very organized and they look the part, I'll say that."

ASI is owned and coached by Bill Mattis, who operates the Philadelphia-based sports agency AllStarInc. Last season the Panthers were a developmental team for the AFL's Philadelphia Soul and have sent numerous players to indoor leagues.

Their roster includes a handful of former Division I players, includingformer Temple running back Jon Metz, former Rutgers defensive lineman Joshua Dillard and former Delaware defensive lineman Demetrius Hester.

The Panthers (2-1) also have several former PSAC players, including former Cheyney quarterback Chris Hudson, former West Chester quarterback Chris Brownlee, former Kutztown fullback Tim Carr and former West Chester linebacker Kevin Reeder.

"This will be good for us," Liotta said. "We need a good game after the debacle we had here two weeks ago and the bye week. We need a competitive game to get us ready for Saginaw."

In their last home game, the Explosion crushed a replacement Port Huron Patriots team consisting of various CIFL and Erie Express players, 114-0.

Liotta said the Explosion have no significant injuries going into today's game but will be without wide receiver Evan Twombley, who is working out for two CFL teams this weekend.

JOHN DUDLEY can be reached at 870-1677 or by e-mail. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ETNdudley.

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