Post by 50yardfan on Mar 23, 2011 21:46:50 GMT -5
HARRISBURG, PA (March 23rd 2011) - The 2011 season did not start the way many people expected for the Harrisburg Stampede, as they fell to their in-state rivals, the Erie Explosion, 46-25 in Harrisburg, PA. The home crowd was fired up for the game and it started off on the right foot after a J.R. Cipra uno.
However, the Explosion blew things wide open and scored at will, at times, on an unsuspecting Stampede defense. There were also times when the Stampede looked to have things figured out, but at the blink of eye it was taken away from them thanks to a very potent Erie football team.
Rhythm and timing is the key to a championship football team, and Harrisburg needs to work on that after losing this tough game. The exams are in; let's see how the Stampede did in their season opener against the Erie Explosion.
Offense: C
Andre Coles made his much anticipated debut for the Harrisburg Stampede on Sunday, and to say the least, it was a shaky start to his 2011 season. Coles was clearly rattled by the Erie defense, who got after the quarterback very well on Sunday.
Coles was off a little on some of this throws, and the timing was just not there; a possible sign of just one week of camp with some of his receivers. Despite that, Coles showed off his great footwork, his brusing running ability, and his strong arm on a couple of plays.
A few days in practice with his receivers, and he will get the football moving up and down the field and we will see the real Stampede offense. Overall, Coles completed 12 of 27 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. Coles also rushed for 20 yards and had two rushing touchdowns.
Coles did spread the ball around pretty good, as Archie Smith was the leading receiver on the team with three catches for 33 yards, but it was Collis Martin who caught the lone touchdown pass from Andre Coles. As I said to my broadcast partner, John Wolfe, after the game "they will get it together, this team has way to much talent on the offensive side of the ball".
Defense: C
One of my keys to victory was to stop the unbelieveable passing attack that the Erie Explosion is so famous for having. After a couple of goal line stands in the first quarter, it looked like the Explosion wouldn't be able to score on a very stout Stampede defense.
However, Erie quarterback Adam DiMichele and the offense quickly adjusted and ran over the Stampede defense. Overall, Harrisburg gave up five passing touchdowns and 46 points.
The bright spot for the Stampede defense was defensive back, Richard Johnson, who intercepted a DiMichele pass and returned the ball 22 yards to put the offense in good field position. The Stampede will need to hunker down and play tight if they are to be successful next week against the Fayetteville Force.
Special Teams: B
The special teams had a very solid day on Sunday, thanks to a strong return game and a good kicking game. As mentioned before, kicker J.R. Cipra put the first points on the board for the Stampede, and added one more uno on the day, totaling two unos on Sunday.
Cipra also nailed a 17 yard field goal in this game as well. When nothing else is working, you can always count on Cipra to put some points on the board.
Richard Johnson and Eugene Goodman did a pretty good job on the return game as well, putting the Stampede offense in good field position. Overall, Johnson returned a 22 yard kickoff and Goodman returned a 14 yard kickoff.
The Stampede will look to bounce back in a big way, as they travel to Fayetteville, NC to take on the Guard. Coverage begins at 4pm on the Stampede Network on UStream. There is no need to panic, Stampede fans. A few more practices and Harrisburg will find their groove and opposing teams will be in serious trouble.
- Steve McNelly
However, the Explosion blew things wide open and scored at will, at times, on an unsuspecting Stampede defense. There were also times when the Stampede looked to have things figured out, but at the blink of eye it was taken away from them thanks to a very potent Erie football team.
Rhythm and timing is the key to a championship football team, and Harrisburg needs to work on that after losing this tough game. The exams are in; let's see how the Stampede did in their season opener against the Erie Explosion.
Offense: C
Andre Coles made his much anticipated debut for the Harrisburg Stampede on Sunday, and to say the least, it was a shaky start to his 2011 season. Coles was clearly rattled by the Erie defense, who got after the quarterback very well on Sunday.
Coles was off a little on some of this throws, and the timing was just not there; a possible sign of just one week of camp with some of his receivers. Despite that, Coles showed off his great footwork, his brusing running ability, and his strong arm on a couple of plays.
A few days in practice with his receivers, and he will get the football moving up and down the field and we will see the real Stampede offense. Overall, Coles completed 12 of 27 passes for 141 yards and one touchdown. Coles also rushed for 20 yards and had two rushing touchdowns.
Coles did spread the ball around pretty good, as Archie Smith was the leading receiver on the team with three catches for 33 yards, but it was Collis Martin who caught the lone touchdown pass from Andre Coles. As I said to my broadcast partner, John Wolfe, after the game "they will get it together, this team has way to much talent on the offensive side of the ball".
Defense: C
One of my keys to victory was to stop the unbelieveable passing attack that the Erie Explosion is so famous for having. After a couple of goal line stands in the first quarter, it looked like the Explosion wouldn't be able to score on a very stout Stampede defense.
However, Erie quarterback Adam DiMichele and the offense quickly adjusted and ran over the Stampede defense. Overall, Harrisburg gave up five passing touchdowns and 46 points.
The bright spot for the Stampede defense was defensive back, Richard Johnson, who intercepted a DiMichele pass and returned the ball 22 yards to put the offense in good field position. The Stampede will need to hunker down and play tight if they are to be successful next week against the Fayetteville Force.
Special Teams: B
The special teams had a very solid day on Sunday, thanks to a strong return game and a good kicking game. As mentioned before, kicker J.R. Cipra put the first points on the board for the Stampede, and added one more uno on the day, totaling two unos on Sunday.
Cipra also nailed a 17 yard field goal in this game as well. When nothing else is working, you can always count on Cipra to put some points on the board.
Richard Johnson and Eugene Goodman did a pretty good job on the return game as well, putting the Stampede offense in good field position. Overall, Johnson returned a 22 yard kickoff and Goodman returned a 14 yard kickoff.
The Stampede will look to bounce back in a big way, as they travel to Fayetteville, NC to take on the Guard. Coverage begins at 4pm on the Stampede Network on UStream. There is no need to panic, Stampede fans. A few more practices and Harrisburg will find their groove and opposing teams will be in serious trouble.
- Steve McNelly