Post by 50yardfan on Jun 7, 2011 23:50:55 GMT -5
HARRISBURG, PA (June 6, 2011) - The road has not been kind to the Stampede this season and the Harrisburg club ended its road schedule with a 71-32 loss to the Erie Explosion on Saturday night in Erie dropping the Stampede's road record to 0-6 this season.
Despite the loss, the Stampede has an opportunity to finish their home record at .500 if they can defeat the Trenton Steel this weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
The Stampede headed into Saturday night's game with a chance to spoil Erie's run to the Northeast Division championship. At 8-3 Erie needed one more win to clinch the franchise's first division title in its five seasons.
A uno from kicker Steven Link on the opening kick appeared to be a good omen for the Stampede as Harrisburg took a 1-0 lead with no time off the clock.
On Erie's very first play from scrimmage any thoughts of good omens quickly ended as the Southern Indoor Football League's leading quarterback, Adam DiMichelle, and leading receiver, Kevin Concepcion connected on a 45-yard touchdown strike to provide Erie a 7-1 lead less than 30 seconds into the game.
After the Stampede turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth and five attempt from the Erie 15, DiMichelle connected with Tirone Morris on a 25 yard pass to give Erie the 13-1 lead and following an extra point and uno from Carlos Ojeda the Explosion led 15-1.
The Stampede's next possession ended on a missed Link 32 yard field goal attempt. Just two players later DiMichelle found Morris again, this time with a 24-yarder. Just 1:10 into the second quarter the Erie offense had run four plays in the game resulting in four DiMichelle completions, including three touchdown passes, to give Erie a 22-1 lead.
The remainder of the first half the Stampede outscored Erie 17-14 as Brian Harris connected for two touchdown scores; one to Jermaine Thaxton for 11 yards and another to Terry Jackson for 31 yards. Link also added a 21-yard field goal. Erie countered with two DiMichelle to Ernest Jackson touchdown passes of 25 and 30 yards and the score at halftime stood at 36-18.
Ojeda booted a uno to start the second half to increase Erie's margin to 37-18, but Harris led the Stampede on a 45-yard drive capped by a Harris to Derek Patterson 20-yard scoring reception and the Stampede pulled to within 37-25.
The Explosion then reeled off five straight touchdowns including four DiMichelle touchdown passes and a Bob Hammer one-yard run to boost the lead to 71-25 with 4:55 remaining in the game.
The Stampede mounted one final drive as Harris led Harrisburg 38 yards for a score, once against finishing off the drive by connecting with Patterson. This time for a ten-yard score with 54 seconds left on the clock to provide the final score of 71-32.
In the loss Harris tossed 49 passes, completing 19 including four touchdown strikes. He also threw two interceptions and totaled 226 yards passing.
Two Stampede players who usually line up on the defensive side of the ball led the Stampede receiving corps as Jermaine Thaxton pulled in five receptions for 55 yards and a score. Derek Patterson topped the team with two touchdown receptions on four catches for 44 yards.
Terry Jackson had the Harrisburg advantage with 60 yards on four receptions and had a score. Eugene Goodman led all Stampede rushers with 25 yards. Defensively Nick Watkins led the Stampede with three tackles.
The Stampede now head home for their season finale to take on the Trenton Steel at 7:30 PM at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. At home Harrisburg has been 2-3 and under new coach Josh Resignalo they have also been 2-3, so they have an opportunity to even both those records.
Trenton has already clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With their win over the Stampede the Explosion captured the Northeast Division title and the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
For more information on the Stampede and to purchase tickets for Saturday's game please visit www.HarrisburgStampede.com.
Despite the loss, the Stampede has an opportunity to finish their home record at .500 if they can defeat the Trenton Steel this weekend at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
The Stampede headed into Saturday night's game with a chance to spoil Erie's run to the Northeast Division championship. At 8-3 Erie needed one more win to clinch the franchise's first division title in its five seasons.
A uno from kicker Steven Link on the opening kick appeared to be a good omen for the Stampede as Harrisburg took a 1-0 lead with no time off the clock.
On Erie's very first play from scrimmage any thoughts of good omens quickly ended as the Southern Indoor Football League's leading quarterback, Adam DiMichelle, and leading receiver, Kevin Concepcion connected on a 45-yard touchdown strike to provide Erie a 7-1 lead less than 30 seconds into the game.
After the Stampede turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth and five attempt from the Erie 15, DiMichelle connected with Tirone Morris on a 25 yard pass to give Erie the 13-1 lead and following an extra point and uno from Carlos Ojeda the Explosion led 15-1.
The Stampede's next possession ended on a missed Link 32 yard field goal attempt. Just two players later DiMichelle found Morris again, this time with a 24-yarder. Just 1:10 into the second quarter the Erie offense had run four plays in the game resulting in four DiMichelle completions, including three touchdown passes, to give Erie a 22-1 lead.
The remainder of the first half the Stampede outscored Erie 17-14 as Brian Harris connected for two touchdown scores; one to Jermaine Thaxton for 11 yards and another to Terry Jackson for 31 yards. Link also added a 21-yard field goal. Erie countered with two DiMichelle to Ernest Jackson touchdown passes of 25 and 30 yards and the score at halftime stood at 36-18.
Ojeda booted a uno to start the second half to increase Erie's margin to 37-18, but Harris led the Stampede on a 45-yard drive capped by a Harris to Derek Patterson 20-yard scoring reception and the Stampede pulled to within 37-25.
The Explosion then reeled off five straight touchdowns including four DiMichelle touchdown passes and a Bob Hammer one-yard run to boost the lead to 71-25 with 4:55 remaining in the game.
The Stampede mounted one final drive as Harris led Harrisburg 38 yards for a score, once against finishing off the drive by connecting with Patterson. This time for a ten-yard score with 54 seconds left on the clock to provide the final score of 71-32.
In the loss Harris tossed 49 passes, completing 19 including four touchdown strikes. He also threw two interceptions and totaled 226 yards passing.
Two Stampede players who usually line up on the defensive side of the ball led the Stampede receiving corps as Jermaine Thaxton pulled in five receptions for 55 yards and a score. Derek Patterson topped the team with two touchdown receptions on four catches for 44 yards.
Terry Jackson had the Harrisburg advantage with 60 yards on four receptions and had a score. Eugene Goodman led all Stampede rushers with 25 yards. Defensively Nick Watkins led the Stampede with three tackles.
The Stampede now head home for their season finale to take on the Trenton Steel at 7:30 PM at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. At home Harrisburg has been 2-3 and under new coach Josh Resignalo they have also been 2-3, so they have an opportunity to even both those records.
Trenton has already clinched the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With their win over the Stampede the Explosion captured the Northeast Division title and the third seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs.
For more information on the Stampede and to purchase tickets for Saturday's game please visit www.HarrisburgStampede.com.