Canton Legends (0-6)
at Erie RiverRats (5-2)
Today: 7 p.m., at Tullio Arena
Scouting the Legends: In the past two road games, the struggling Legends scored just 13 points in losing to Huntington 49-6 and Reading 36-7. But there will be an infusion of old blood from the 2006 AIFA championship team. This week, the Legends announced that Bobby Olive will return as head coach, and former championship quarterback Kevin Mason will also be back behind center. Director of football operations Ed Korns will stay on as offensive coordinator. Mason will replace Jami Williamson, who was victimized by poor pass protection. In the loss to Reading, Williamson was sacked seven times and intercepted three times. RiverRats coach Shawn Liotta said his club should not be fooled by the Legends’ record. “I know Bobby Olive pretty well, and he’s a great coach I know that he’s there to help salvage the season and get them into the playoffs. There are sure to be a lot of new faces, or make that veterans that have helped them before back in the lineup. They have their old quarterback back, and there will be changes in the offensive line. The trouble for us is that we have no film on them, and that could present problems. One thing for sure is that Canton can’t be taken lightly.’’ … Olive’s wife San gave birth to their third child last week. The boy was named Trey. … Williamson leads the Legends in rushing with 157 yards in 64 carries. … Tim Smith tops the receivers with 34 receptions for 395 yards and 8 touchdowns. …Williamson threw two touchdown passes to Smith in a 38-24 loss to the RiverRats in the Legends’ opener on March 15 in Canton. … Canton has been outscored 254-146. Mason threw 5 touchdown passes in a 48-44 victory over the Erie Freeze in his last appearance in Erie on April 14, 2007.

Scouting the RiverRats: In Erie’s win at Canton, veteran linebacker Roosevelt Benjamin proved to be the hero late in the fourth quarter. With the game tied 24-24 and with the Legends on the Erie 1-yard line, a defensive pinch forced a bad exchange to Canton QB Williamson, and Benjamin picked up the fumble and ran 49 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. Cornerback Sam Reynolds intercepted a Williamson pass and set up an insurance touchdown run by David Dinkins, who was the starting quarterback. … Reynolds, a four-year veteran who has missed the last four games with a high ankle sprain, will return to the lineup tonight. But Erie will be without injured rookie linebacker Glenroy Watkins, who leads the league in sacks with 7. “We’ll probably move Densville Saunders from the line to that spot, or Reynolds can move there,’’ Liotta said. … Rod Rutherford will make his third straight start at quarterback, and first game against a team not named the Baltimore Mariners. Rutherford, the former Pitt star playing in just his fourth indoor football game, sparked the ’Rats to 55-40 and 49-17 wins over the Mariners, completing 33-of-55 passes for 4 touchdowns while rushing for 79 yards and 5 TDs. “Rod has been picking up the offense, and has shown what talent he has,’’ Liotta said. “He’s definitely the quarterback that can lead us to the championships.’’ … Erie allowed the Mariners just one point in the second half on an opening-kickoff rouge. “Our defense has been excellent,’’ Liotta said. “Phil Tillman, our nose tackle, has been destroying teams in the middle. Lovalle McKenzie on the end has been doing a tremendous job. He’s one of our unsung heroes.’’
— Bob Jarzomski