Harrisburg Shows Resilience in Reading with a 55-42 Victory
Published on March 23, 2010 under American Indoor Football Association (AIFA)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release
The 2009 AIFA National Champion Reading Express returned home from a two game road-trip to start the year. Fans packed the stadium as a very large and rowdy crowd awaited the first kickoff in their stadium of 2010. With two lopsided victories last season, Reading looked to win their third consecutive game against Harrisburg. However, by night's end, the home crowd in Reading was left with only bitter disappointment as their team fell to Harrisburg 55-42. This was Harrisburg's second consecutive road victory and a big momentum swing in the right direction for the team. Coach Ramon Robinson spoke after the game about defensive pride by saying, "Our guys this year make something happen every time that ball is snapped. We had some huge plays by the defense today, but both sides of the ball have to continue clicking as we return home in 2 weeks."
Harrisburg opened the game strong, scoring on their first possession. Keith Stokes scored his first touchdown of the season on an 18 yard pass from Kelvin Robinson. The extra point was missed. Reading followed with an impressive first series, with Rob Flowers tossing a 17 yard pass to WR Jeff Willis. Harrisburg responded by blocking the extra point to keep the score 6-6. This play showed the resilience of Harrisburg and would set a precedent for the game. Harrisburg took over on the next series from their 20 yard line, and scored on their first play, a 30 yard pass from Robinson to WR Kevin Marion. A rouge on the ensuing kickoff by Derrick Scott made up for an earlier missed PAT. Now up 14-6, it would be the defense's turn to come up big. Reading drove down the field but was stopped at the five yard line by the Stampede. After three straight incomplete passes by Rob Flowers, the Express lined up for a field goal. This proved to be a fake, as Flowers took the snap and ran to the right. He was pursued heavily by multiple Stampede players and was stuffed by Michael "Freak" Woodhouse at the two. Such inspiring play continued from the defense as James Pollard blocked a field goal later that quarter. This was Harrisburg's second blocked kick of the first quarter. After a tough second quarter in which the Express scored 13 unanswered points, the Stampede went into halftime down 21-14. The Stampede defense answered after halftime with another big play. William Hines recovered a fumble and ran it in for a touchdown to tie the game at 21.
Quarterback Kelvin Robinson, playing in his third game as a member of the Stampede, did not have a perfect outing but came up with big plays when the team needed him most. After two scores by Carmelo Ocasio, Reading had its biggest lead of the game, 35-21. With the Express defense keying in on the deep ball, Robinson missed on a number of deep passes. However with good play on defense comes adjustment on offense. A short screen pass to Eugene Goodman in the third quarter put Harrisburg a bit closer. The extra point was blocked once again, however Derrick Scott connected on the rogue to bring them within seven points, 35-28. Robinson's most exciting play of the game, however, was not a pass. He showed off his scrambling ability with an impressive 40 yard run on their next drive. Kelvin added, "That play was huge and really have to hand it to the whole offense to continue fighting for blocks even after pass protection broke down." After a second fumble recovery by William Hines to start the fourth quarter, Robinson led Harrisburg on a methodical 7 play 49 yard drive that consumed nearly five minutes off the clock. It started on the Harrisburg one yard line with Robinson running for a three yard gain to give the Stampede some breathing room. It ended with a short TD pass to Shayne Milligan, a quarterback playing receiver, who had to fill in for Keith Stokes, who left the game early as a medical precaution.
As the game entered its final stages, the tide had turned. A once 14 point lead for the Express was now a seven point deficit. After multiple penalties on Reading, QB Rob Flowers threw an errant pass that was picked off by CB Jeremy Gray of the Stampede. Gray took it 30 yards for the TD, putting Harrisburg up now 49-35. With a 14 point lead, the once very loud Reading crowd had become quiet. This did not last for long as Flowers hit a deep pass down the sidelines 30 yards to Tim Smith for a TD. The extra point made it a seven point game. The crowd then grew furiously loud as the Express attempted an onside kick and recovered it. However, the ball travelled only nine yards, and it was Harrisburg's ball. After getting hit in the backfield, Eugene Goodman powered his way into the end zone for a 9 yard TD. This put the game out of reach for the Express as they went down 55-42 with only 54 seconds left. Another big play from Michael "Freak" Woodhouse, a late interception, sealed the deal for the Stampede.
This was an emotional win for the Stampede. Players leaped with excitement and high-fived each other as the underdog Stampede upset the league champs. "It was big to come in here on the day they received their rings and show them a little taste of what Harrisburg football is all about this season." John Morris, owner of the Harrisburg Stampede said. The game resembled a boxing match, with Harrisburg taking a blow, but then countering with one of its own. Football is a team sport and Harrisburg showed this through big plays on both offense and defense. Harrisburg is now second in the East Division, with a record of 2-1. Be sure to come and see the Stampede at their next home game, April 3rd at 7:30 p.m. against division foe Erie.
American Indoor Football Association Stories from March 23, 2010
- Baltimore Mariners vs. Fayetteville Guard Report Card - Baltimore Mariners
- Harrisburg Shows Resilience in Reading with a 55-42 Victory - Harrisburg Stampede
- Over a Cup of Coffee - OSC Original by Jerry Hewitt
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