The Reading Express will kick off the 2011 season on Saturday, February 26, against the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa.
The Express will play seven home games and seven away games in their first season in the Indoor Football League. The Express are members of the IFL’s fledgling Atlantic Division, and will rival the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and the Richmond Revolution for the division title.
As a whole, the new league features a nationwide slate of teams. Express fans will see their hometown team host the Fairbanks Grizzlies, the Arizona Adrenaline and the Bloomington Extreme. The Express have an away game against the Chicago Slaughter, as well as two trips to play the Green Bay Blizzard.
Here is the complete 2011 schedule, with home games in yellow:
Saturday, February 26 – Lehigh Valley Steelhawks at Reading Express
Saturday, March 5 – Reading Express at Chicago Slaughter
Friday, March 11 – Bloomington Extreme at Reading Express
Sunday, March 20 – Arizona Adrenaline at Reading Express
Friday, April 1 – Lehigh Valley Steelhawks at Reading Express
Saturday, April 9 – Reading Express at Richmond Revolution
Friday, April 15 – Reading Express at Green Bay Blizzard
Saturday, April 23 – Reading Express at Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
Saturday, April 30 – Richmond Revolution at Reading Express
Sunday, May 8 – Reading Express at Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
Sunday, May 15 – Fairbanks Grizzlies at Reading Express
Saturday, May 21 – Reading Express at Green Bay Blizzard
Saturday, June 4 – Richmond Revolution at Reading Express
Saturday, June 11 – Reading Express at Richmond Revolution
One of the brightest spots on the schedule is the home opener. The rivalry with the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks promises to be a great one for fans of both teams.
“We’re excited about opening the season by hosting Lehigh Valley,” said Tim Glase, general manager of the Express. “That game, and week 2 at Chicago, gives us a great start to the season. We’re playing a total of seven different opponents from different parts of the country. The 2011 campaign is sure to be one of the best seasons ever for Express football fans.”
Reading Express Indoor Professional Football began play in 2006 in the Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa. In five seasons, the team has amassed an overall record of 64-20 with four playoff appearances, two conference titles and the 2009 AIFA National Championship. In 2011, Reading will begin play as a new member of the Indoor Football League.
