Keystone Classic to be Renewed this Week
April 30, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release
HARRISBURG, PA (Apr 30, 2014) There is a new exciting football rivalry these days in Pennsylvania. This Saturday night, fans will be treated to the second installment in what has been dubbed the "Keystone Classic" as the Harrisburg Stampede travel to face the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA. The two are no strangers, with many connections off the field, but before Harrisburg's move into the PIFL this year, the two backyard neighbors had never played one another. Clearly there is a mutual respect between the two, as this competition is about more than just football.
"When the Harrisburg Stampede made the move to the PIFL this season, we knew instantly that this would turn into a top rivalry for both our organizations and the league itself," stated Steelhawks General Manager Mike Clark. The Stampede are a top tier professional organization, and these series of games promise to be intense and fun to watch. There is a lot of familiarity between our two franchises, which we are thrilled to build on for years to come."
"We have looked forward to being in a league with Steelhawks for a long time,"remarked Marques Colston, President/GM of the Stampede."I have watched themrun a great organization from a distance,with Mike Clark leading the way. This rivalry is one that I am excited to be a part of, asit breeds competition between two very similar organizations, while helpingtobuilda largerfan base through family-friendly entertainment."
Pennsylvania has a rich football history throughout. Both Clark and Colston understand the opportunity that this rivalry presents as they continue to build the brand of their individual organizations, as well as indoor football as a whole. With many football fans spanning the distance between Bethlehem and Harrisburg, there is an opportunity to expand their collective reach. As this rivalry grows, so too does the indoor football fan base that spans the geographical distance between them.
"The newly minted Keystone Classic between both of our squads brings additional intrigue for our fan bases, and allows them to see games in other venues as well due to the proximity of our markets," said Clark.
Colston added, "The synergistic goals from both organizations tofield highly competitive football teams as well as impact their respective communities in a positive way, will help to build the brand of indoor football in Pennsylvania and beyond."
In an exciting inaugural contest, fans saw the Steelhawks defeat the Stampede 35-27 in Harrisburg in a game that went down to the wire. If that game is a sign of things to come, football fans across the state should be excited for what's in store. With another PIFL rival sitting over in Trenton, NJ, football fans in this region have reason to rejoice this spring and summer.
"Our inaugural game in thisKeystone Classic was a very exciting preview of things to come, as we continue to build something special together," Colston added.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 30, 2014
- Fire Look To End Two Losing Skid As They Host Venom - Georgia Fire
- Raiders Return to Action Saturday Night - Richmond Raiders
- Keystone Classic to be Renewed this Week - Harrisburg Stampede
- Round Two of Keystone Classic Continues in the Valley - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
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