Harrisburg Stampede Set to Open Camp
March 1, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release
HARRISBURG, PA (March 1, 2011) - For those football fans who are already suffering from post football season depression there is hope in sight. The Harrisburg Stampede players report to training camp tonight. This evening starts the administrative side of camp with paperwork to be filled out; physicals to be taken, etc. The real work starts Friday night when the team takes the field for the first time to start preparation for their 2011 season opener against the Erie Explosion on Sunday, March 20th at 4:00 PM at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Equine Arena.
Friday's workout will kick-off over two weeks of grueling practices as Stampede General Manager and Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski begins to shape his roster with an eye on a repeat trip to the playoffs for Harrisburg and a bigger eye on the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) championship.
Leading the way for the Stampede will be three veterans who will now be suiting up for their third straight season with Harrisburg. Running back Eugene Goodman, linebacker Will Hines, and defensive back Archie Smith.
In his four year professional career Goodman has totaled over 3,500 combined rushing and return yards and racked up 1,414 rushing yards and 65 rushing touchdowns.
Hines led a Harrisburg defense in 2010 that finished fourth in scoring defense, second in rushing defense, and second in pass defense efficiency. Hines was again among the league leaders in tackles and ranked fifth in fumble recoveries.
Seven-year pro Smith has totaled 245.5 tackles and 47 interceptions. In 2009 he led the expansion Stampede defense by compiling 52 tackles and nine interceptions. In 2010 he was sidelined for ten games with a hamstring injury, but still managed to pile on 18 tackles and two interceptions.
Nowotarski was also busy this offseason signing a number of experienced veterans. Included are six players who were part of a Baltimore Mariners' squad that finished 16-0 and won the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) national championship in 2010.
Included are former Minnesota Viking, defensive end Fearon Wright, four-time All-Pro Kicker, J.R. Cipra, book end offensive linemen Mark Stout (6'7", 320) and Greg Justice (6'8", 330), former Stampede standout, linebacker Jermaine Thaxton, and lineman Dennis Cooper, a former all-star at Cheyney University.
A number of top rookies also hope to make their pro debuts in 2011. Linebacker Nick Watkins of Clemson twice led the Tigers in tackles and amassed nearly 400 tackles in his four seasons with the Atlantic Coast Conference university.
Defensive back Markee Hamlin (South Carolina State) totaled over 225 tackles as a perennial All-Conference performer for the Bulldogs.
Defensive lineman Darnell Butler from Kean University totaled 92 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, three fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in his four seasons with the New Jersey school.
Another intriguing camp match-up will be the battle for the starting QB position. Nowotarski has signed four Stampede newcomers to compete for the reigns of the Harrisburg offense. Leading the pack is Andre Coles from Kutztown University who spent two seasons with the Reading Express, including their 2009 national title season.
Also signed was Michael Merritt, now in his seventh season of professional ball, who starred at New Jersey City University and most recently played professionally for the New Jersey Revolution.
Included in the battle will be rookie Brandon Praester from Pitt and Southern University's Darwin Pittman, who brings two years of professional experience to the competition.
During training camp the Stampede will travel to the Richmond Raiders for an exhibition game on March 11th and camp will close on March 18th with the season opener against the Explosion on March 20th.
The Stampede will play a 12-game SIFL schedule with six games at home at the Equine Arena. For more information on the Harrisburg Stampede please visit www.HarrisburgStampede.com.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from March 1, 2011
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- Harrisburg Stampede Set to Open Camp - Harrisburg Stampede
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