First Quarter Flurry Too Much for Stampede to Overcome
June 28, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release
HARRISBURG, PA - The Harrisburg Stampede (4-8) made the long trip to Huntsville, AL to face the Alabama Hammers (4-8) Friday night. Both teams entered the game out of playoff contention, in what both consider disappointing campaigns. After tonight's game the Stampede and Hammers will exit the 2014 season with identical records, although tonight's result has both teams entering the offseason with feelings on opposite ends of the spectrum.
The game got off to a fast start with both teams trading scores early. A 29-yard TD strike from Hammers QB Darnell Kennedy to WR Charles McClain got the scoring started. Stampede QB E.J. Nemeth followed up the score, punching in a 3-yard TD run, his 19th of the year. A failed PAT attempt left the score 7-6 in favor of Alabama early on. Unfortunately for the Stampede, key injuries early in the game forced several players to play out of position for the remainder of the game.
The effects of the injuries were visible in the first stanza, as the Hammers reeled off 20 unanswered points to end the 1st quarter with a 27-6 lead.
The second quarter saw the Stampede begin to find some traction defensively, holding Alabama to a respectable 6 points in the quarter. However, the Stampede offense was not able to find its way, as they were held scoreless in the quarter and the Herd entered halftime facing a 33-6 deficit.
As the second half began, both defenses played stingy, forcing multiple turnovers. Scoring was hard to come by, and the Hammers finally broke the seal converting a FG attempt, pushing their lead to 36-6. The Stampede offense answered the score, as Nemeth found WR Collis Martin for a 29-yard TD completion. A failed 2-point attempt left the score at 36-12, with the Herd showing some signs of life moving into the final quarter.
The two teams traded scores in the fourth quarter, with the first TD coming on another Nemeth strike to Martin, closing the gap. The Hammers offense was able to respond with a touchdown of their own, effectively pushing the game our of reach at 42-18. A late 9-yard TD connection from Nemeth to WR Scorpio Brown finished the scoring in the contest, ending the game in a 42-24 loss for the Stampede in the season finale.
Although short-handed, the Herd played a competitive three quarters of football after a dismal start. Several personnel moves to acquire talent late in the season helped the Stampede get a look at a handful of prime candidates for starting roles in 2015.
The Stampede enter the offseason knowing that there is plenty of work to be done in order to compete at a higher level in 2015.
• Discuss this story on the Professional Indoor Football League message board...
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 28, 2014
- First Quarter Flurry Too Much for Stampede to Overcome - Harrisburg Stampede
- Raiders Lose to SteelHawks, 51-41 - Richmond Raiders
- Steelhawks Soar into Playoffs with Fourth Quarter Comeback - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
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.
