Post by 50yardfan on Apr 7, 2011 21:12:33 GMT -5
HARRISBURG, PA (April 7, 2011) - "Flashes of brilliance" is a term often used in sports to describe those unbelievable moments when a player or team is performing at their peak. The Harrisburg Stampede, despite their 0-3 record have showed those flashes, but now seek to sustain those moments for a whole game to earn their first win of the season when they head to Charlotte, North Carolina to face the Carolina Speed Friday, April 8th at 7:30 PM.
Against the Erie Explosion in week one, the Stampede trailed before the half 18-4, but scored twice in just over eight minutes to start the second half to cut the lead to 25-17, but let Erie off the hook and lost 46-25.
In Fayetteville the Stampede was completely dominated by the Force in the first half and trailed 50-22, roared back with a 44-12 run and took the lead with just 57 seconds to go, but fell 75-66 with two last minute scores by the Force.
At home last weekend against the Richmond Raiders, the Stampede reversed course and ran out to an early 21-0 lead and appeared well on their way to their first victory of the season. Richmond then went on a 46-4 binge to secure the win and topple the Stampede 59-41.
If you add those three flashes of brilliance together there was a period of time totaling over 58 minutes, almost a full game, where the Stampede outscored their opponents 78-19! The challenge as they head down I-81 to face the 0-3 Carolina Speed is to string those flashes of brilliance into one win.
To do so they will need more consistency on both sides of the ball. The offense has seen big play capability from both quarterbacks, Kelvin Robinson and Andre Coles, ranks fourth in the league in Red Zone offense, and has protected the ball well with just five turnovers in three games, but has been plagued by sacks, ranking last in the league by surrendering 15.
After stints in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), receiver Collis Martin has quickly become one of the Southern Indoor Football League's top receivers. He currently ranks second in the league with seven touchdowns and fifth by averaging 15.3 points per game.
Defensively the Stampede has been led by veteran defenders Will Hines, Richard Johnson, and Jermaine Thaxton. Hines ranks third on the team in tackles and is tied for the lead in sacks, interceptions, and tackles for a loss.
Johnson ranks second in tackles and also interceptions and Thaxton leads the Stampede in tackles, and is tied for the lead in tackles for a loss and interceptions. Thaxton also has an INT return for a touchdown.
The defense has also been plagued by sacks, recording only two in three games.
The good news for the Stampede is, despite their 0-3 start there are still nine games remaining on the 2011 schedule including seven against division rivals the Erie Explosion (three) and Trenton Steel (four). So with a win this weekend against the Speed the Stampede can quickly hop back into the division race.
The Stampede game versus the Carolina Speed may be heard on Carolina Speed Broadcast Network at www.ustream.tv/channel/carolina-speed. Kickoff is slated for Friday, April 8th at 7:30 PM.
Against the Erie Explosion in week one, the Stampede trailed before the half 18-4, but scored twice in just over eight minutes to start the second half to cut the lead to 25-17, but let Erie off the hook and lost 46-25.
In Fayetteville the Stampede was completely dominated by the Force in the first half and trailed 50-22, roared back with a 44-12 run and took the lead with just 57 seconds to go, but fell 75-66 with two last minute scores by the Force.
At home last weekend against the Richmond Raiders, the Stampede reversed course and ran out to an early 21-0 lead and appeared well on their way to their first victory of the season. Richmond then went on a 46-4 binge to secure the win and topple the Stampede 59-41.
If you add those three flashes of brilliance together there was a period of time totaling over 58 minutes, almost a full game, where the Stampede outscored their opponents 78-19! The challenge as they head down I-81 to face the 0-3 Carolina Speed is to string those flashes of brilliance into one win.
To do so they will need more consistency on both sides of the ball. The offense has seen big play capability from both quarterbacks, Kelvin Robinson and Andre Coles, ranks fourth in the league in Red Zone offense, and has protected the ball well with just five turnovers in three games, but has been plagued by sacks, ranking last in the league by surrendering 15.
After stints in the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) and Continental Indoor Football League (CIFL), receiver Collis Martin has quickly become one of the Southern Indoor Football League's top receivers. He currently ranks second in the league with seven touchdowns and fifth by averaging 15.3 points per game.
Defensively the Stampede has been led by veteran defenders Will Hines, Richard Johnson, and Jermaine Thaxton. Hines ranks third on the team in tackles and is tied for the lead in sacks, interceptions, and tackles for a loss.
Johnson ranks second in tackles and also interceptions and Thaxton leads the Stampede in tackles, and is tied for the lead in tackles for a loss and interceptions. Thaxton also has an INT return for a touchdown.
The defense has also been plagued by sacks, recording only two in three games.
The good news for the Stampede is, despite their 0-3 start there are still nine games remaining on the 2011 schedule including seven against division rivals the Erie Explosion (three) and Trenton Steel (four). So with a win this weekend against the Speed the Stampede can quickly hop back into the division race.
The Stampede game versus the Carolina Speed may be heard on Carolina Speed Broadcast Network at www.ustream.tv/channel/carolina-speed. Kickoff is slated for Friday, April 8th at 7:30 PM.