Post by Banana Cat on Jul 2, 2010 6:16:39 GMT -5
Erie made the playoffs when Baltimore defeated Reading last week. Erie will have a tough time beating Harrisburg on the road, the winner moving on to face undefeated Baltimore Mariners.
blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/07/post_24.html
blog.pennlive.com/patriotnewssports/2010/07/post_24.html
Harrisburg Stampede set for the AIFA playoffs
July 01, 2010
JAMES PHILLIPS / The Patriot-News
Harrisburg notes: The Stampede, clicking on all cylinders right now, closed the regular season on a five-game winning streak. ... The team is averaging 54.1 points on offense and 38.9 on defense. ... QB Aries Nelson has established himself as one of the top players in the league. Since taking over for former starter Kelvin Robinson five games ago, Nelson has completed 82-of-130 passes for 1,245 yards, 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions. ... His three main targets — Keith Stokes, Kevin Marion and Silas Daniels — have combined for 39 TDs. RB Eugene Goodman (362 yards, 23 TDs) has been a big-time weapon. The defensive unit has registered 28 interceptions, led by LB William Hines with eight, three of which were returned for TDs. LB/DE Michael “The Freak” Woodhouse and DB Jeremy Gray have 44 tackles each. ... Harrisburg has beaten Erie three times during the regular season: 41-34 at Erie and 59-19 and 54-35 at home. ... Along with free parking, tickets are $10, except for the box seats along the dasher board. For ticket information call 889-0344. ... The winner will play at undefeated Baltimore next week. ... “The guys are excited, motivated and focused on what’s at hand, and that’s taking on the Erie Storm. I’m proud of this team and the whole organization. This is one step of getting to where we want to go. We want to go in, play one hell of a game and get a victory.” — Stampede coach Ramon Robinson.
Erie notes: Former Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford has been Mr. Do-It-All for the Storm as he leads the team in rushing (172 yards, 10 TDs) and passing (2,567 yards, 48 TDs). Backing up Rutherford is former Harrisburg quarterback A.J. Roque. ... Erie has a good group of receivers in Eugene Baker (74 receptions, 972 yds., 18 TDs), DeWayne Dixon (55-703 yds., 15 TDs), Trumaine Riley (39-526 yds., 7 TDs) and Darm Whitfield (25-319 yds., 19 TDs). ... Defensively, Chris Blackshear has snared nine interceptions, while Sam Reynolds and Trent Jones have recorded six each. Applying pressure to the quarterback have been Ellery Moore (8 sacks) and Troy Blackwell (7 sacks). The Storm have been averaging 44.1 offensively and 45.6 defensively. ... “We have as good a chance as any team in the league right now. To be honest with you, we have played well all season. It has been some mistakes here and there, especially against Harrisburg, that have killed us. We’re not intimidated and we’re coming up there to win. Harrisburg is a good team and it’s a shame that they have struggled with attendance. I hope the fans come out and support their team Friday, but they might be disappointed when they leave.” — Erie coach Shawn Liotta.
July 01, 2010
JAMES PHILLIPS / The Patriot-News
AIFA EAST DIVISION PLAYOFFS
WHO: Erie (8-6) at Harrisburg (11-3)
WHERE: Farm Show Arena.
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.
Harrisburg notes: The Stampede, clicking on all cylinders right now, closed the regular season on a five-game winning streak. ... The team is averaging 54.1 points on offense and 38.9 on defense. ... QB Aries Nelson has established himself as one of the top players in the league. Since taking over for former starter Kelvin Robinson five games ago, Nelson has completed 82-of-130 passes for 1,245 yards, 25 touchdowns and only four interceptions. ... His three main targets — Keith Stokes, Kevin Marion and Silas Daniels — have combined for 39 TDs. RB Eugene Goodman (362 yards, 23 TDs) has been a big-time weapon. The defensive unit has registered 28 interceptions, led by LB William Hines with eight, three of which were returned for TDs. LB/DE Michael “The Freak” Woodhouse and DB Jeremy Gray have 44 tackles each. ... Harrisburg has beaten Erie three times during the regular season: 41-34 at Erie and 59-19 and 54-35 at home. ... Along with free parking, tickets are $10, except for the box seats along the dasher board. For ticket information call 889-0344. ... The winner will play at undefeated Baltimore next week. ... “The guys are excited, motivated and focused on what’s at hand, and that’s taking on the Erie Storm. I’m proud of this team and the whole organization. This is one step of getting to where we want to go. We want to go in, play one hell of a game and get a victory.” — Stampede coach Ramon Robinson.
Erie notes: Former Pitt quarterback Rod Rutherford has been Mr. Do-It-All for the Storm as he leads the team in rushing (172 yards, 10 TDs) and passing (2,567 yards, 48 TDs). Backing up Rutherford is former Harrisburg quarterback A.J. Roque. ... Erie has a good group of receivers in Eugene Baker (74 receptions, 972 yds., 18 TDs), DeWayne Dixon (55-703 yds., 15 TDs), Trumaine Riley (39-526 yds., 7 TDs) and Darm Whitfield (25-319 yds., 19 TDs). ... Defensively, Chris Blackshear has snared nine interceptions, while Sam Reynolds and Trent Jones have recorded six each. Applying pressure to the quarterback have been Ellery Moore (8 sacks) and Troy Blackwell (7 sacks). The Storm have been averaging 44.1 offensively and 45.6 defensively. ... “We have as good a chance as any team in the league right now. To be honest with you, we have played well all season. It has been some mistakes here and there, especially against Harrisburg, that have killed us. We’re not intimidated and we’re coming up there to win. Harrisburg is a good team and it’s a shame that they have struggled with attendance. I hope the fans come out and support their team Friday, but they might be disappointed when they leave.” — Erie coach Shawn Liotta.