AIF Eastern Conference Title Game (9 Jun)

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AIF Eastern Conference Title Game:

9 June (Sat): Harrisburg Stampede (7-1) at Cape Fear Heroes (7-0) June


Cape Fear won at home 57-32 on 19 May in their only previous meeting.

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I'll go with:

Cape Fear Heroes, by 21 points.

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fayobserver.com/articles/2012/06/08/1183184?sac=fo.sports

Heroes ready for Eastern Conference championship battle with Harrisburg

By Sammy Batten / Staff writer

Veteran lineman Quincy Malloy gave a subtle pep talk to the Cape Fear Heroes defensive unit Thursday in their final preparations for tonight's American Indoor Football duel against Harrisburg.

"I told them it was time to focus and be at the top of their game,'' Malloy said.

The Heroes, who closed out the regular season with a 7-0 record, will meet the Stampede (7-1) at 7:30 p.m. in the Crown Coliseum for the AIF's Eastern Conference Championship. The winner advances to the AIF championship game against the California Eagles (3-2).

It would be the second potential arena football championship in six years for Heroes players such as Malloy, Wilmont Perry, Walter Ford, Ken Brown and others. They were all part of a Fayetteville Guard team that went undefeated in winning the Indoor Football Championship Bowl in 2007.

Now nearing the end of their playing careers, Malloy said the Heroes veterans are determined to add another trophy to their championship collection.

Hence, Thursday's pep talk.

"I didn't tell them this was our last time, but I think from the speech they understand how important this game is to our veterans,'' Malloy said. "Guys like myself and Wilmont can't say we've got more time to come back and win it next year. This could be our last chance.

"I think the younger guys on our team understand that.''

The Heroes defeated Harrisburg on May 19, 57-32. But Cape Fear led just 33-26 after three periods and needed a 24-point fourth-quarter outburst to seal the victory.

The Stampede has relied heavily on a defensive unit that allowed a league-low 156 points during the regular season. In an opening-round playoff win against the Carolina Force last week, Harrisburg surrendered just 12 points.

Defensive back Armar Watson, who spent part of last season playing in Fayetteville, is a ballhawk in the Stampede secondary who has 10 interceptions.

"They create a lot of turnovers in the red zone,'' Cape Fear coach Charles Gunnings said. "They get after the quarterback and they have great secondary, led by Armar Watson. He's a very savvy and smart guy. He understands route combinations so well, and it makes him dangerous.''

Gunnings believes the presence of so many veterans on his roster is an advantage for the Heroes.

"These guys are very dedicated,'' Gunnings said. "You combine that with experience, and you know this group will be prepared and motivated.

"I know a lot of them believe this is their last go round. My goal is to get them that (championship) ring, just in case it is their last time.''

For Malloy, earning the AIF title would be a form of redemption for the veterans.

"If we can win the championship, for the older guys, it will be a feeling of satisfaction because we proved the doubters wrong,'' he said. "Some people thought we were too old or not motivated enough to win the championship. This would solidify our legacy here in Fayetteville.''

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FINAL
@ Cape Fear 42, Harrisburg 40

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www.fayobserver.com/articles/2012/06/10/1183499?sac=fo.sports

Cape Fear Heroes beat Harrisburg, advance to AIF championship

By Junious Smith III
Correspondent

Facing the Heroes' biggest deficit of the season, Cape Fear coach Charles Gunnings told his team to maintain its composure despite the early troubles.

The Heroes got the message and came back from a 14-point hole with a big second half to hold off the Harrisburg Stampede 42-40 in the Eastern Division championship.

With the victory, Cape Fear moves on to the AIF Championship to battle the California Eagles on Saturday at the Crown Center.

"I told the team that we hadn't played our best game, but we have to continue to trust ourselves," Gunnings said. "This team is a family, and we were able to respond."

Harrisburg scored on its first possession, with E.J. Nemeth throwing a 7-yard touchdown to Scorpio Brown. Cape Fear's ensuing drive ended with Jesse Scott coming up short on a long field goal. Armar Watson returned the miss 49 yards for a touchdown, giving the Stampede a 14-0 lead midway through the first.

The Heroes stormed back to tie things up with a Patrick Pinkney 25-yard pass to Tymere Zimmerman and a 2-yard run by Chris Johnson. Scott's extra point on the kickoff gave Cape Fear its first lead at 15-14 early in the second. The Heroes would take a 22-20 advantage into intermission after Stampede kicker Ryan McGowan missed a 20-yard field goal to end the half.

Cape Fear extended its lead after halftime to 15. Pinkney threw two touchdown passes; a 41-yarder to Wilmont Perry and a 4-yard screen to Prentice Quince. Harrisburg closed the gap to 35-26 after three quarters with a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Nemeth. The Heroes drove to their opponent's 4-yard line on their next drive but the Stampede intercepted a pass in the end zone with 13:04 left in the fourth.

Cape Fear responded by forcing a turnover on downs to maintain its nine point lead midway through the fourth. The Heroes then went on a 10-play, 43-yard drive, ending on a 1-yard run by Perry with 1:02 remaining.

Harrisburg scored two meaningless touchdowns to close the scoring.

With sights set on the league championship, the Heroes are completely focused on the task at hand.

"California is a very good and athletic team," Gunnings said. "The coaches will start studying game film tonight and we will be prepared for Saturday." (NOTE: There is no game film since the California Eagles folded 2 months ago and the league will be sending in a replacement team to play as California, what an effing joke - BC)