Post by fwp on May 1, 2010 7:21:52 GMT -5
blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/04/stampede_has_an_opportunity_at.html
Now is as good a time as any for the Harrisburg Stampede to prove to their fanbase that they’re a championship-caliber ballclub.
The golden opportunity of the AIFA East Division season awaits at 4 p.m. Sunday when Harrisburg clashes with first-place Baltimore at 1st Mariner Arena. The Stampede (5-1) are riding a five-game winning streak, while the Mariners (7-0) are, well, just cruising along.
In the season-opener, Baltimore pulled out a thrilling 55-48 victory at the Farm Show Arena.
“We’re just clicking on both sides of the ball,” Baltimore coach Chris Simpson said. “Last week, I think we threw the ball five times in the second half.”
They didn’t need to in dismantling Fayetteville 91-19. Baltimore scored eight offensive touchdowns, returned three interceptions for scores, blocked a field goal for another touchdown and scored a safety. The offense averages 62.0 points, and the defense is allowing 27.0 ppg (24 sacks).
Quarterback E.J. Nemeth has passed for 1,122 yards and 24 scores (102.74 rating. Nemeth has an assortment of targets in receivers Jamal Stokes, Aaron Yarbough and Scorpio Brown. Another key component is running back Isaiah Grier, who has rushed for 229 yards and has scored 16 touchdowns (five through the air). Cornerback Armar Watson, who has picked off 10 passes (returned three for touchdowns), leads the defense.
“Harrisburg is playing consistent football and its defense has stepped up,” Simpson said. “We’ll see how things play out Sunday. I know it should be a good game.”
The Stampede definitely hope it’s all good for them.
“It should be an exciting and great game,” Harrisburg co-owner John Morris said.
“Baltimore is ranked No. 1 [in the AIFA] and we’re No. 2. We have to play on all cylinders, and we want to show the rest of the league and our fans that we’re for real. I feel that our fanbase will grow and get stronger ... we already have many fans going to our away games.”
The Stampede are coming off a 44-31 road victory over the New Jersey Revolution. The team is scoring at a 49.2 ppg clip, while the defense has been plenty stingy (33.7 ppg).
Quarterback Kelvin Robinson has been steady (884 yards, 14 TDs) and running back Eugene Goodman (141 yards, 10 TDs) has been a force. Receivers Keith Stokes and Kevin Marion have been consistent.
Defensively, linebackers William Hines and Michael “The Freak” Woodhouse, linemen Jock McKissic and Cory Groover have led the way. The secondary has been banged up the past several weeks, but Jeremy Gray has been a steady force.
“Baltimore is a great club ... and we also have been doing well,” Harrisburg coach Ramon Robinson said. “Our offense is coming along and this may be the game where it comes alive. We feel good about ourselves and confident we can do well. It’s going to be a competitive game.
Now is as good a time as any for the Harrisburg Stampede to prove to their fanbase that they’re a championship-caliber ballclub.
The golden opportunity of the AIFA East Division season awaits at 4 p.m. Sunday when Harrisburg clashes with first-place Baltimore at 1st Mariner Arena. The Stampede (5-1) are riding a five-game winning streak, while the Mariners (7-0) are, well, just cruising along.
In the season-opener, Baltimore pulled out a thrilling 55-48 victory at the Farm Show Arena.
“We’re just clicking on both sides of the ball,” Baltimore coach Chris Simpson said. “Last week, I think we threw the ball five times in the second half.”
They didn’t need to in dismantling Fayetteville 91-19. Baltimore scored eight offensive touchdowns, returned three interceptions for scores, blocked a field goal for another touchdown and scored a safety. The offense averages 62.0 points, and the defense is allowing 27.0 ppg (24 sacks).
Quarterback E.J. Nemeth has passed for 1,122 yards and 24 scores (102.74 rating. Nemeth has an assortment of targets in receivers Jamal Stokes, Aaron Yarbough and Scorpio Brown. Another key component is running back Isaiah Grier, who has rushed for 229 yards and has scored 16 touchdowns (five through the air). Cornerback Armar Watson, who has picked off 10 passes (returned three for touchdowns), leads the defense.
“Harrisburg is playing consistent football and its defense has stepped up,” Simpson said. “We’ll see how things play out Sunday. I know it should be a good game.”
The Stampede definitely hope it’s all good for them.
“It should be an exciting and great game,” Harrisburg co-owner John Morris said.
“Baltimore is ranked No. 1 [in the AIFA] and we’re No. 2. We have to play on all cylinders, and we want to show the rest of the league and our fans that we’re for real. I feel that our fanbase will grow and get stronger ... we already have many fans going to our away games.”
The Stampede are coming off a 44-31 road victory over the New Jersey Revolution. The team is scoring at a 49.2 ppg clip, while the defense has been plenty stingy (33.7 ppg).
Quarterback Kelvin Robinson has been steady (884 yards, 14 TDs) and running back Eugene Goodman (141 yards, 10 TDs) has been a force. Receivers Keith Stokes and Kevin Marion have been consistent.
Defensively, linebackers William Hines and Michael “The Freak” Woodhouse, linemen Jock McKissic and Cory Groover have led the way. The secondary has been banged up the past several weeks, but Jeremy Gray has been a steady force.
“Baltimore is a great club ... and we also have been doing well,” Harrisburg coach Ramon Robinson said. “Our offense is coming along and this may be the game where it comes alive. We feel good about ourselves and confident we can do well. It’s going to be a competitive game.