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Stampede Momentum Stalls; Steel Win 78-36

May 8, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release


TRENTON, NJ (May 7, 2011) - For a little while; for 11 minutes and 6 seconds to be exact, it looked like the Harrisburg Stampede would continue the winning ways they had learned in their first game, and win, under new Head Coach Josh Resignalo. Then the Trenton Steel got hot.

The Harrisburg Stampede seemed to have carried the momentum from the previous week's win into their contest against the Steel as new quarterback Brian Harris tossed three touchdowns in his first five attempts providing the Stampede with a 20-10 lead with 3:54 left in the first quarter. From there on, however, the Trenton Steel outscored Harrisburg 68-16 to take the win 78-36.

On the Stampede's first three possessions Harris hit Collis Martin for two scores (30 and 43 yards) and LaRoi Johnson for one touchdown (11 yards) and the Stampede held a 20-10 lead. Assisted by two Stampede turnovers the Steel scored three touchdowns in the final 2:40 of the first period to take a 30-20 lead.

Following seven touchdowns and one field goal from the two teams, combined, in the first period the second quarter suddenly became a defensive struggle. Harrisburg was held to two J.R. field goals, which cut the Trenton lead to 30-26, but an E.J. Nemeth to Damon Harrison touchdown with just five seconds in the half spotted the Steel to a 36-26 halftime lead following the missed extra point attempt.

Trailing by only ten against the Southern Indoor Football League's top offense at the half, it appeared the Stampede had a legitimate shot at a second straight win. A Cipra field goal just 2:41 into the second half cut the lead to 36-29 and talk of consecutive victories seemed even more plausible.

Then the Steel offense and defense both kicked into another gear and Trenton outscored the Stampede 42-7 the remainder of the game as E.J. Nemeth tossed five second half scores and the Steel's Mike Andrews recovered a fumble with just five seconds remaining in the game to post the final 78-36 margin.

Against the Steel, the Stampede was haunted by some old problems that led to their 0-6 record. They were flagged for ten penalties, handed over four turnovers, and gave up seven sacks.

After his red hot start Brian Harris finished with 9 for 25 passing for 143 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. He also scored one rushing touchdown. Harris suffered four sacks, the last of which knocked him out of the game late in the third quarter.

In relief duty Richard Johnson was one for three passing for 19 yards and was taken down three times on sacks.

Once again Collis Martin led all Stampede receivers with four receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Terry Jackson added four grabs for 38 yards and for his second straight game as a Stampede player LaRoi Johnson pulled in a score.

J.R. Cipra total 12 points with three field goals and three points after touchdown.

Cory Groover led the Stampede defense with 4.5 tackles and Derek Patterson was next with four. Alfred DuBose also had 3.5 tackles and tallied two sacks. Richard Johnson, doing double duty, had the Stampede's only interception.

For the victorious Steel E.J. Nemeth was 17 for 29 for 192 yards with eight touchdown passes, against only one interception. He also added two rushing touchdowns.

Four Steel players had touchdown receptions as Oderick Turner and Damon Harrison had three each and Dan Huff and Najah Pruden had scores.

The Stampede (1-7) now head back home to Harrisburg to take on the 1-6 Carolina Speed. Kickoff is 7:30 Saturday, May 14th at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Equine Arena.

For more information on the Harrisburg Stampede, their remaining schedule, and tickets please visit www.HarrisburgStampede.com.

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