By Tim Blasco
YORK, PA — E. J. Nemeth threw seven touchdown passes as the York Capitals opened their American Indoor Football season with a 50- 32 victory over the ASI Panthers of Reading, PA on Saturday in York Ice Arena.

Nemeth in his first season with York completed 25 of 30 for over 200 yards and 1 interception.

Rob Jones and Rob Wright each caught several touchdowns from Nemeth in their rookie debut.

Nemeth, is no stranger to Arena Football. He won the AIF in 2010 and 2013 and last year he took the Harrisburg Stampede to 4th in the PIFL with York coach Rick Marsilio.

York had a commanding lead at the end of the first half. Coach Rick took his time in the second half. When asked about the second half Coach Rick said “We had some bugs to work out, so I calmed them down and called some situational stuff.” Coach Rick went on to describe that Jones, Wright and two other Wide Receivers Mallik Generett and Colin Wallace were all rookie wideouts playing their first arena football game. Coach Rick seemed to use the second half as a stress test. There were certainly some mistakes and all of York’s offensive penalties came in the second half. York lost only 15 yards to offensive penalties all night.

ASI did their best to cut the lead but it was a sprint they couldn’t complete they seemed to get some life after a defensive touchdown, but York answered right back. To add insult to injury QB Juice Granger went down late in the fourth quarter to seal ASI’s fate. York came away with the win and ASI left with a lot to be desired.

York’s defense didn’t make it easy for ASI, they forced several plays and even got 2 sacks. Their all around effort was noticeable. LB Mike Woodhouse and York Native DL Javon Matthews stood out in the second half, crushing any resistance.

Despite the result Coach Rick says there’s a lot of work yet to be done. He points out that at six o’clock this morning he was a little nervous. After the pre-game practice and seeing a sold out arena he began to relax. The offense got hot early and seemed red hot at times. Coach Rick admittedly reigned them in, for the second half. He is ready to get back to work on Tuesday and points out he could dress a whole new team based on need and how each player practices. No starting spot is taken, but earned weekly.

You can’t call it a plan until there’s no time left to stop making changes. York is under new management and this is their first time in pads this week. Management and players all seemed a bit shuffled at the start of the game. Looks can be deceiving though, their first half was lightning and the second half was thunder. All the action happened in the 1st half and then some noise in the 2nd half. The team has seen a lot and had little time for a breather.

The Capitals will meet the ASI Panthers two more times this season Apr 12th and May 17th both games are in Reading. They take on The Saginaw Sting next Saturday April 3rd in Saginaw, Michigan.