Battle for PA Pride Resumes Saturday Night
June 3, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release
HARRISBURG, PA (June 3, 2011) - At face value it looks like a mundane game is taking place when the Harrisburg Stampede (2-8) take on the Erie Explosion (8-3) Saturday night in Erie at the Tullio Arena. Just below the surface though, you will see a battle with playoff implications and Pennsylvania pride on the line.
Heading into this season the Harrisburg Stampede had dominated their series with the Erie indoor football clubs. They had won six of seven games in the series, including five straight, and were a whopping 4-0 against Erie last season. All that changed this season.
In week one of the season the Explosion quickly let it be known that things would be different this year when they toppled the Stampede 46-25 providing Erie its first win over Harrisburg since May 23, 2009. On April 15th of this season, the Explosion pummeled the Stampede 89-35 to drop Harrisburg to 0-5.
Just when it looked like the Explosion may sweep the season series with the Stampede, in Coach Josh Resignalo's first game as the Stampede skipper, the Stampede rallied from a 40-16 deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat Erie 41-40.
It ended the Explosion's modest two-game win streak against Harrisburg, increased the Stampede series record over Erie to 7-3, and also gave the Stampede a chance to tie this year's series after winning the season series in 2009 and 2010.
The Stampede also has a change to be a spoiler in the Northeast Division race. After leading the division all season Erie enters the game at 8-3 just one game ahead of the Trenton Steel (7-4).
The Explosion and Steel split their season series at 2-2, but Erie has a chance to clinch the division title with a win over the Stampede. A loss and they must rely on a Stampede win over Trenton next weekend in Harrisburg to clinch, or hope the tie-breakers fall in their favor if both teams finish 8-4.
To defeat the Explosion the Stampede must slow Quarterback Adam DiMichelle and Wide Receiver Kevin Concepcion. This season DiMichelle has tossed 82 touchdown passes; 42 of those to Concepcion.
In the Explosion's two wins over the Stampede this season DiMichelle was 39 for 70 for 580 yards with 15 touchdown passes and only two interceptions and suffered only one sack. In the Stampede's win over Erie, DiMichelle was 20 of 43 for five touchdowns and 203 yards, but was sacked three times and threw two interceptions.
With just two games left and a 2-8 record the Stampede still have a chance to affect the final standings in the Northeast Division and also finish the season with some momentum and some Pennsylvania pride.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 3, 2011
- The Rematch Is Set And Ready To Go - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Battle for PA Pride Resumes Saturday Night - Harrisburg Stampede
- Lions Square Off With Panthers For Southern Division Crown - Columbus Lions
- SIFL Game Previews - SIFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
