Solid Running Game, Good Defense, and Efficient Passing Key to 1-0 Start
A Steve McNelly Exclusive report:
BALTIMORE, MD (March 6, 2010) - In 2009, the Baltimore Mariners finished 9-5 and made the AIFA playoffs for the first time in franchise history. Their hopes for hoisting the AIFA Championship trophy were cut short, as the Mariners were eliminated in the first round by the eventual AIFA Champions, the Reading Express. This Saturday night begins a new journey, as the Baltimore Mariners travel up I-83 to face their rivals, the Harrisburg Stampede. Last season, these teams faced each other three times, and Baltimore came out on top of the series with two big wins.
The two rivals first met last season in Week 3, and the game did not lack drama. Stampede quarterback AJ Roque put the Stampede up early with a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Silas Daniels. The second quarter, Baltimore started coming back, thanks to a one-yard rushing touchdown from Mariners quarterback E.J. Nemeth and a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jamaal Stokes. The Stampede didn’t go away, as the foot of kicker Andy Eminger booted a 28-yard field goal to keep the Stampede in the game. Harrisburg went into halftime with a 17-14 lead, thanks to another touchdown pass from Roque to Harrisburg wide receiver Rafael Cooper. The second half kept the fans on the edge of their seats, as the Stampede extended their lead thanks to another field goal from Eminger. Baltimore answered back with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Scorpio Brown to take a 21-20 lead. The scoring was back and forth in the third quarter, starting with a Eugene Goodman touchdown reception, which was countered by another Scorpio Brown touchdown catch. The 4th quarter, Goodman reached the end zone again, but was countered by an E.J. Nemeth rushing touchdown to tie the game at 34. Baltimore fell short, with five seconds remaining, as Eminger booted the game winning field goal to give Harrisburg the 37-34 victory.
On May 2nd, Baltimore returned to Harrisburg with revenge on their mind, and they got it with a 37-27 victory. Harrisburg’s rushing attack was stifled by the Mariners run defense, which gave up minus one yards on the ground. The ground game and the kicking game were the keys to victory for Baltimore, as Nemeth rushed for two touchdowns and running back Isaiah Grier ran for one as well. The sure foot of Mariners all-pro kicker J.R. Cipra booted three of four field goals in the win as well.
The final meeting of the 2009 season took place in the friendly confines of 1st Mariner Arena on June 14th, and was it an outstanding football game! Baltimore was riding a three-game winning streak and looked to put them in position for their first playoff berth in franchise history. Harrisburg was 4-8 and playing for pride and respect in this game. The scoring started fast and furious in the first quarter, as Stampede quarterback Shayne Milligan connected with Silas Daniels for a 27-yard touchdown strike. Baltimore answered back with a 29-yard touchdown connection from E.J. Nemeth to wide receiver Aaron Yarbough. It looked as if Harrisburg was starting to pull away, as they scored 14 unanswered points. Just when Harrisburg began driving down the field, Baltimore’s defense stepped up, and Richard Johnson returned a 47-yard interception for the touchdown. The game was neck and neck, and Harrisburg narrowed the deficit with 52 seconds left in the game 58-55. The Stampede ran out of time, however, and Baltimore improved to 8-4 on the season on their way to their first playoff appearance in franchise history.
No doubt, this season will not lack excitement as these teams play each other twice this year. In order for the Mariners to come out victorious this Saturday night in Harrisburg, here are my keys to victory:
Stop Goodman: During the three games against the Mariners last season, Harrisburg running back Eugene Goodman was either good, decent, or just plain ugly. During the first game, he was decent with 41 yards on the ground and one touchdown. The second game, the Mariners run defense exposed Goodman, holding him to a dismal -1 yard rushing. The final game in Baltimore, Goodman went off, rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns. If Baltimore is to have any success in this game, they will have to stop Goodman, who ranked 6th in the AIFA last season with 344 rushing yards and reaching the end zone 12 times. Last season, Baltimore’s run defense ranked 8th in the AIFA and gave up 464 yards on the ground, 3.9 yards per carry, and 31 touchdowns.
Efficient Passing Game: The Harrisburg secondary was a force last season, ranking 4th in the AIFA. The Stampede allowed 164.4 yards per game and totaled 27 interceptions. Five of those interceptions came at the hands of Mariners quarterback E.J. Nemeth. Nemeth’s best game against Harrisburg was the first meeting last season in Harrisburg, throwing for 202 yards and three touchdowns. We will need to see the same results against a Harrisburg secondary, which despite losing Jermaine Thaxton, now with the Mariners, still can force turnovers and cover very well.
Pick Your Poison: Eugene Goodman isn’t the only one that can control the game on the ground during a game. The Mariners are equipped with Isaiah Grier, who led the AIFA in rushing last season. Grier rushed for 514 yards and 20 touchdowns. E.J. Nemeth also contributed to the stout Mariners running game, having his number called on short yardage plays and racking up 13 rushing touchdowns. Harrisburg’s run defense isn’t too shabby, as they ranked 8th in the AIFA in stuffing the run. Harrisburg allowed only 464 yards on the ground and 3.9 yards per carry.
Football or Futbol: The difference maker in this game could be Mariners all-pro kicker J.R. Cipra. Cipra booted 34 field goals last season and is deadly accurate; 54% accurate to be exact.
Thaxton for the Memories: One of our new defensive backs, Jermaine Thaxton, returns to Harrisburg to play his former team. Last season, Thaxton averaged 28-yards per interception return. In regards to a short field, field position is a major key to winning in professional indoor football, and picking up Thaxton was a crucial move for the Mariners.
This will be a true test for the Mariners this Saturday, but with a solid running game, good defense, and an efficient passing game, there is no reason why the Mariners can’t leave Harrisburg with a 1-0 record to start their journey to the AIFA Championship Bowl. Don’t let Harrisburg’s record last season fool you, they have made some key additions and will look to use the Mariners as a stepping stone for their greatness. This should be another outstanding football game between these two teams.
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
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