Despite Playoff Loss, Steel Sparkled In First Season
June 21, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Trenton Steel News Release
TRENTON, N.J. - The Trenton Steel Indoor Football Team's inaugural season ended with a tough 62-60 loss to the Columbus Lions in the Southern Indoor Football League playoffs last Saturday, but the first-year franchise certainly had a successful initial campaign.
To begin with, the team, under head coach Rod Miller and staff, rebounded from a tough 0-3 start to record an 8-4 regular-season record by winning eight of its last nine games.
"What is really satisfying to me as a coach, is that our guys bought into our program and did what we asked,'' said Miller. "We really got a late start with a lot of things, but it all came together.
"Naturally the playoff loss was disappointing, but we accomplished a lot. I thank everyone involved, the fans as well, for the support they gave us and everyone who made us feel welcome and part of the Greater Trenton area.''
Several key accomplishments - both on and off the field - highlighted the Steel's inaugural season:
The team drew 19,748 fans for its six home games - an average of 3,219 per opening - second among the Southern Indoor Football League's 16 teams.
Quarterback E.J. Nemeth, a former star at Notre Dame High, completed 246-of-422 passes for 3.169 yards and 70 touchowns. Nemeth also rushed for 27 TDs, and his total offense mark of 277.4 yards per game was second in the SIFL.
Wide receiver Oderick Turner emerged as one of the top pass-catchers in the SIFL, pulling in 68 passes for 1,084 yards and 23 TDs. His 108.4 yards-receiving per game were second in the SFL.
Wide receiver Dan Huff emerged as one of the top posession receivers in the SIFL, grabbing 83 passes for 970 yards and 80.9 yards in receptions per game, eigth in thje SIFL.
The Steel swept the four-game series from Northeast Division rival Harrisburg and notched crucial road wins at Erie and Faeyetteville.
Kicker Craig Camay led the SIFL in field goals (21) extra pointys (91) and kick-scoring (160 points).
The Steel offense was second in the SIFL in scoring, averaging 69.4 points per game, and touchdowns scored with 110.
The Steel offense gaimed 3,309 yards, tops in the SIFL and its total offense of 275.8 yards per game was the best 12-game total in the league.
Defensive back Gladel Brutus picked off eight interceptions to help spearhead a secondary that improved as the season went on.
"A lot of guys came a long way, and improved every week,'' saidf Miller. "We started with a lot of guys who had never played the indoor game and adapted well. "I can certainly call the season a success, especially considering a first-year team.''
That taste of success in earning a playoff berth and chasing a championship will certainly carry over as the Steel plan for 2012.
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Southern Indoor Football League Stories from June 21, 2011
- SIFL Playoff Recaps - SIFL
- Despite Playoff Loss, Steel Sparkled In First Season - Trenton Steel
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