Steel Blast Stampede in 83-23 Win
May 21, 2011 - Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL)
Harrisburg Stampede News Release
HARRISBURG, PA (May 21, 2011) - All the indicators pointed to a Steel win. Seven interceptions by their defense, nine Stampede turnovers, and Harrisburg 0 for 7 on third down conversions; just to name a few. And the final score also pointed to a resounding Trenton win as the Steel blasted the Stampede 83-23.
After a 13-yard Eugene Goodman return to the Stampede 24 on the opening kickoff, the Trenton defense set the tone for the night on the very first play from scrimmage. Charles Graves intercepted a Brian Harris pass and returned it 27 yards for the score. Just 36 seconds into the game the Steel held a 7-0 lead and their defense would continue to torment Harris the entire night.
The next play did not turn out much better for the Stampede. Kicker Craig Camay recovered his own kickoff and for the Stampede three plays produced two turnovers. Just three plays later Steel QB E.J. Nemeth hit Daniel Huff on a 22-yard score and Trenton held a 14-0 lead at 12:29 mark of the first period.
Harris responded quickly on his next chance from scrimmage and on second down found Terry Jackson for a 16-yard score and the Stampede was within 14-7.
The rest of the half was largely all about the Steel as they outscored the Stampede 27-3 to take a 41-10 halftime lead. The only score for the Stampede in the half came off a 27-yard J.R. Cipra field goal, while Trenton countered with a Nemeth to Harrison TD connection, two rushing scores (Nemeth and Derik Steiner), and two Camay field goals.
The second half started off much the same for Harrisburg as Damon Harrison returned a Cipra kick 47 yards to the Stampede seven. Just one play later Steiner bowled in from seven yards out. Only 32 seconds into the second half the Steel had scored and boosted their lead to 48-10.
One bright spot for the Stampede night came on the Steel's next drive when Fearon Wright recovered an E.J. Nemeth fumble at the Stampede 17 and rumbled 33 yards for the score to cut the lead to 48-17.
After two more Nemeth touchdown passes put the score at 62-17 Harrisburg had another rewarding moment as Stampede veteran linebacker Will Hines, lining up at running back, scored on a 21-yard run to start the fourth quarter.
On the ensuring kick Harrison returned the kick 48 yards; this time for the score, and two Nemeth TD runs in the fourth quarter notched the final 83-23 score.
For the Stampede offense the highlight of the night was the Hines' 21 yard score and his 34 yards rushing on six attempts. Harris finished 17 of 34 passing for 126 yards, but tossed seven interceptions and only one score.
Terry Jackson led Stampede receivers with six catches for 33 yards and the one receiving touchdown. Collis Martin had 6 catches for 63 yards and LaRoi Johnson added three for 30 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball Tay Wynn and Derek Patterson led with 3.5 tackles each and Patterson had four passes broken up. Nick Watkins also had three tackles, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and a sack.
The Stampede now get a much needed bye week before returning to play on Saturday June 4th at 7:00 PM in Erie before returning home for their season finale on Saturday, June 11th at 7:30 PM against the Steel.
Southern Indoor Football League Stories from May 21, 2011
- Swashbucklers Defeat Ruff Riders - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Steel Blast Stampede in 83-23 Win - Harrisburg Stampede
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