Post by fwp on Mar 11, 2010 20:56:59 GMT -5
blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/03/stampede_seeks_first_win_sunda.html
Looking to bounce back from tough loss in their AIFA Eastern Division home opener last week, the Harrisburg Stampede take to the road against a confident opponent Sunday.
The Erie Storm, who rolled past defending league champion Reading 41-28 last week, will host Harrisburg at 2 p.m. at the Tullio Arena. The Stampede will attempt to put their 55-48 setback to the Baltimore Mariners, a contest that they let slip away, behind them.
“We’re feeling the pain of the loss ... but it takes a loss like that to bring a team together,” Harrisburg coach Ramon Robinson said. “I feel that we showed people this is a different team. We’re hungry so our goal is to go up to Erie and come back 1-1.”
The Stampede did exhibit a competitive offense, something they didn’t in their inaugural season. They also showcased solid quarterback play by Kelvin Robinson (15-of-22, 252 yards, 3 TDs), who plenty of targets in Keith Stokes (nine catches for 130 yards), Silas Daniels (two scores) and Kevin Marion. The running game, led by Eugene Goodman, also contributed.
The defense, which was stout last season, got off to a slow start against the Mariners. That unit will have to step up this week against the Storm.
“Erie is a good team that has a lot of veterans,” Robinson said. “Every game is important and we want to show that we’re serious about our team and the season.”
Erie quarterback Rod Rutherford, a former Perry Traditional Academy and Pitt standout, completed 21-of-35 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the rout of the Express. Trumaine Riley (two TDs) and David Dinkins both had seven receptions and Darm Whitfield garnered five catches to lead the Storm.
Defensively, Erie forced three turnovers and made the Reading offense turn the ball over on downs twice.
“To be honest, I don’t know just how good we are now,” Erie coach Shawn Liotta said. “Harrisburg is a good team with solid players on both sides of the ball. They’re going to be a good test and I expect a tough game.”
Liotta was the head football coach at Line Mountain High School in 2004. After that, he coached four years at West Shamokin before entering the AIFA to coach Erie in 2008. He left the team for a year and returned this season.
“That was a big win for us against Reading,” Liotta said. “Both the offense and defense played well.”
Looking to bounce back from tough loss in their AIFA Eastern Division home opener last week, the Harrisburg Stampede take to the road against a confident opponent Sunday.
The Erie Storm, who rolled past defending league champion Reading 41-28 last week, will host Harrisburg at 2 p.m. at the Tullio Arena. The Stampede will attempt to put their 55-48 setback to the Baltimore Mariners, a contest that they let slip away, behind them.
“We’re feeling the pain of the loss ... but it takes a loss like that to bring a team together,” Harrisburg coach Ramon Robinson said. “I feel that we showed people this is a different team. We’re hungry so our goal is to go up to Erie and come back 1-1.”
The Stampede did exhibit a competitive offense, something they didn’t in their inaugural season. They also showcased solid quarterback play by Kelvin Robinson (15-of-22, 252 yards, 3 TDs), who plenty of targets in Keith Stokes (nine catches for 130 yards), Silas Daniels (two scores) and Kevin Marion. The running game, led by Eugene Goodman, also contributed.
The defense, which was stout last season, got off to a slow start against the Mariners. That unit will have to step up this week against the Storm.
“Erie is a good team that has a lot of veterans,” Robinson said. “Every game is important and we want to show that we’re serious about our team and the season.”
Erie quarterback Rod Rutherford, a former Perry Traditional Academy and Pitt standout, completed 21-of-35 passes for 230 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in the rout of the Express. Trumaine Riley (two TDs) and David Dinkins both had seven receptions and Darm Whitfield garnered five catches to lead the Storm.
Defensively, Erie forced three turnovers and made the Reading offense turn the ball over on downs twice.
“To be honest, I don’t know just how good we are now,” Erie coach Shawn Liotta said. “Harrisburg is a good team with solid players on both sides of the ball. They’re going to be a good test and I expect a tough game.”
Liotta was the head football coach at Line Mountain High School in 2004. After that, he coached four years at West Shamokin before entering the AIFA to coach Erie in 2008. He left the team for a year and returned this season.
“That was a big win for us against Reading,” Liotta said. “Both the offense and defense played well.”