Post by fwp on Mar 5, 2010 16:45:45 GMT -5
blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/03/harrisburg_stampede_begin_2nd.html
With stability and continuity on the coaching staff, led by Ramon Robinson, the Harrisburg Stampede will embark on season No. 2 in the American Indoor Football Association.
In what has become an Eastern Division I-83 rivalry, Harrisburg will host the Baltimore Mariners at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Farm Show Arena. The Stampede opened their inaugural season last year by beating Baltimore 37-34.
"We know them, and they know us," Mariners coach Chris Simpson said. "It's a very competitive rivalry, and I feel that this is a good game to open the season with."
Baltimore finished 9-5 last season, while Harrisburg went through growing pains with a 4-10 slate. This season brings high hopes for the Stampede after they brought in new talent, including quarterback Kelvin Robinson.
"The team is coming along. ... We've made a lot of progress leading up to the opener," Ramon Robinson said. "At this point, the defense is always ahead of the offense. I know we have a great group of guys who know the game."
The offense, which averaged 31 points per game last year, figures to be much improved with a veteran signal-caller like Robinson who has experience with indoor football.
He'll have plenty of targets to throw to in Brahin Bilal (Bloomsburg), Kevin Marion, Keith Stokes and Silas Daniels. In the backfield will be Eugene Goodman, who scored 12 touchdowns last season, and newcomer Michael Kitchen, a former Lebanon High School standout.
The kicking chores will go to veteran Derrick Scott. According to Ramon Robinson, former Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly, who was earlier brought in by the team, has tryouts with NFL teams and won't be available.
The Harrisburg defense, which allowed 37.1 ppg last season, will be led by backs Archie Smith and Marcus Sargeant, linemen Cory Groover and Otis Smith and linebackers Michael "The Freak" Woodhouse and William Hines.
"The defense as a whole is capable of some good things," Ramon Robinson said. "Overall, the team has been upgraded. Our goal is to flip our record [from last year], take one game at a time and turn in a positive season."
Baltimore is paced by quarterback Earnest Nemeth, who passed for 2,115 yards and 36 touchdowns last year, and running back Isaiah Grier (20 TDs). Two former Harrisburg players -- Jermaine Thaxton and Malik Brown -- will be on the defensive side of the ball for the Mariners, who registered 42 interceptions last season.
"We're been building our team for six months, so we're anxious to see where we're at," Simpson said. "They have some new faces, and Ramon is a good coach. Knowing Ramon, Harrisburg will be passing a lot. This is a huge rivalry and a good challenge for us."
With stability and continuity on the coaching staff, led by Ramon Robinson, the Harrisburg Stampede will embark on season No. 2 in the American Indoor Football Association.
In what has become an Eastern Division I-83 rivalry, Harrisburg will host the Baltimore Mariners at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Farm Show Arena. The Stampede opened their inaugural season last year by beating Baltimore 37-34.
"We know them, and they know us," Mariners coach Chris Simpson said. "It's a very competitive rivalry, and I feel that this is a good game to open the season with."
Baltimore finished 9-5 last season, while Harrisburg went through growing pains with a 4-10 slate. This season brings high hopes for the Stampede after they brought in new talent, including quarterback Kelvin Robinson.
"The team is coming along. ... We've made a lot of progress leading up to the opener," Ramon Robinson said. "At this point, the defense is always ahead of the offense. I know we have a great group of guys who know the game."
The offense, which averaged 31 points per game last year, figures to be much improved with a veteran signal-caller like Robinson who has experience with indoor football.
He'll have plenty of targets to throw to in Brahin Bilal (Bloomsburg), Kevin Marion, Keith Stokes and Silas Daniels. In the backfield will be Eugene Goodman, who scored 12 touchdowns last season, and newcomer Michael Kitchen, a former Lebanon High School standout.
The kicking chores will go to veteran Derrick Scott. According to Ramon Robinson, former Penn State kicker Kevin Kelly, who was earlier brought in by the team, has tryouts with NFL teams and won't be available.
The Harrisburg defense, which allowed 37.1 ppg last season, will be led by backs Archie Smith and Marcus Sargeant, linemen Cory Groover and Otis Smith and linebackers Michael "The Freak" Woodhouse and William Hines.
"The defense as a whole is capable of some good things," Ramon Robinson said. "Overall, the team has been upgraded. Our goal is to flip our record [from last year], take one game at a time and turn in a positive season."
Baltimore is paced by quarterback Earnest Nemeth, who passed for 2,115 yards and 36 touchdowns last year, and running back Isaiah Grier (20 TDs). Two former Harrisburg players -- Jermaine Thaxton and Malik Brown -- will be on the defensive side of the ball for the Mariners, who registered 42 interceptions last season.
"We're been building our team for six months, so we're anxious to see where we're at," Simpson said. "They have some new faces, and Ramon is a good coach. Knowing Ramon, Harrisburg will be passing a lot. This is a huge rivalry and a good challenge for us."