Post by 50yardfan on Jul 3, 2010 10:09:18 GMT -5
www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100703/FOOTBALL09/307039930/-1/SPORTS
HARRISBURG -- The Harrisburg Stampede fumbled and bumbled in the first quarter, but it was the Erie Storm that crumbled in the last minute of their AIFA first-round playoff game.
Aries Nelson fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Marion with 56 seconds remaining to boost the Stampede to a 52-48 victory over the Storm on Friday night at the Farm Show Arena.
The Storm, which used an interception return and fumble return for touchdowns to take a 24-7 lead, bowed out of the playoffs with their fourth straight loss to the Stampede.
Erie, the third seed in the East Division, finished 8-7. Harrisburg (12-3) will visit the unbeaten Baltimore Mariners (14-0) next week.
Harrisburg dominated offensively, getting 22 first downs to nine for Erie. But trailing 7-3, Rod Rutherford connected with Eugene Baker for a 25-yard touchdown pass, defensive lineman Phil Tillman ran back a 13-yard interception for a score, and linebacker Roosevelt Benjamin, who was playing in his final game since announcing his retirement, rumbled for a 35-yard fumble recovery and 24-7 lead.
The Storm could not withstand the running and passing of Nelson, who ran for three touchdowns and completed 23-of-30 for 282 yards and two TDs. Nelson did fumble three times as the Stampede lost four of five fumbles.
Eugene Goodman accounted for the other two touchdowns on runs.
Harrisburg's trio of receivers burned the Erie secondary. Kevin Stokes caught nine for 111 yards, Silas Daniels seven for 102 and Marion seven for 77.
Rutherford, who missed the previous two games, was 16-of-35 for 227 yards, while Baker hauled in 10 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Erie led 27-21 at the half, and defensive lineman Ellery Moore picked up a loose ball and went in from 10 yards for a 34-21 lead.
The offenses began firing, and Harrisburg scored 17 straight points for a 45-41 lead with 14 minutes, 30 seconds remaining. Rutherford scored from the 1 with 1:32 left for a 48-45 lead, but Erie could not respond to the winning score.
HARRISBURG -- The Harrisburg Stampede fumbled and bumbled in the first quarter, but it was the Erie Storm that crumbled in the last minute of their AIFA first-round playoff game.
Aries Nelson fired a 20-yard touchdown pass to Kevin Marion with 56 seconds remaining to boost the Stampede to a 52-48 victory over the Storm on Friday night at the Farm Show Arena.
The Storm, which used an interception return and fumble return for touchdowns to take a 24-7 lead, bowed out of the playoffs with their fourth straight loss to the Stampede.
Erie, the third seed in the East Division, finished 8-7. Harrisburg (12-3) will visit the unbeaten Baltimore Mariners (14-0) next week.
Harrisburg dominated offensively, getting 22 first downs to nine for Erie. But trailing 7-3, Rod Rutherford connected with Eugene Baker for a 25-yard touchdown pass, defensive lineman Phil Tillman ran back a 13-yard interception for a score, and linebacker Roosevelt Benjamin, who was playing in his final game since announcing his retirement, rumbled for a 35-yard fumble recovery and 24-7 lead.
The Storm could not withstand the running and passing of Nelson, who ran for three touchdowns and completed 23-of-30 for 282 yards and two TDs. Nelson did fumble three times as the Stampede lost four of five fumbles.
Eugene Goodman accounted for the other two touchdowns on runs.
Harrisburg's trio of receivers burned the Erie secondary. Kevin Stokes caught nine for 111 yards, Silas Daniels seven for 102 and Marion seven for 77.
Rutherford, who missed the previous two games, was 16-of-35 for 227 yards, while Baker hauled in 10 receptions for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Erie led 27-21 at the half, and defensive lineman Ellery Moore picked up a loose ball and went in from 10 yards for a 34-21 lead.
The offenses began firing, and Harrisburg scored 17 straight points for a 45-41 lead with 14 minutes, 30 seconds remaining. Rutherford scored from the 1 with 1:32 left for a 48-45 lead, but Erie could not respond to the winning score.