Post by marinersmedia on Jun 9, 2009 11:13:15 GMT -5
The Baltimore Mariners continue their weekly match-up report by previewing and breaking down their upcoming game against the Harrisburg Stampede.
Baltimore Mariners (7-4) vs. Harrisburg Stampede (4-8)
Date/Time: Sunday, June 14th at 4:00 PM
Place: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Mariners Last Outing:
For the second week in a row the Mariners lit up the league’s #1 defense for 57 points as they dissected the D.C. Armor 57-28.
Harrisburg Stampede Last Outing:
In a match-up that saw ten turnovers and 16 penalties for 102 yards, the Stampede fell to the South Carolina Force, in Greenville, 36-30.
Series: Tied 1-1.
Two tough battles in Harrisburg, now the Stampede head down I-83 for a third match-up. The Mariners lost on a late field goal 37-34 on March 28th and then topped the Stampede 37-27 on May 2nd.
Baltimore Mariners Profile:
The Mariners are in the playoffs! After a 4-10 debut season in 2008, Baltimore ran its record to 7-4 and clinched a playoff berth last weekend. Their sights are now on the division title.
Harrisburg Stampede Profile:
This was not a friendly rivalry already and last weekend the Mariners eliminated Harrisburg from playoff contention. The first year club is 4-8 overall and 1-5 on the road.
Players to Watch:
Baltimore Mariners:
Offense: QB E.J. Nemeth (6’3", 245, Sacred Heart), RB Isaiah Greer (6’1", 215, Rhode Island), WR Jamaal Stokes (6’1", 185, Alcorn St.), WR Scorpio Brown (6'4", 225, Morehouse), WR Aaron Yarbough (5’ 10”, 185, VMI).
Defense: DB/WR Armar Watson (5’11", 180, Duquesne), DB Richard Johnson (5'11", 200, Virginia Tech), DB Andre Letren (5'11", 195, Troy State), LB Fearon Wright (6'4", 245, Rhode Island), DB/LB Joe Taylor (6’1”, 225, Morgan State), LB/DL Adam Goboloski (6'0", 235, Richmond), and LB Vincent Tiberi (6'2", 240, Wesley).
Special Teams: K J.R. Cipra (5'9", 170, Ohio Northern).
Harrisburg Stampede:
Offense: RB Eugene Goodman (5'10”, 185, Liberty), WR Mores Manoyrine (6'1", 200, South Carolina State).
Defense: DB Jermaine Thaxton (6' 2", 205, West Virginia), DB Archie Smith (6'1”, 180, Alabama State).
When the Mariners have the ball:
The Mariners offense has been on a roll in three straight wins averaging six touchdowns a game. The team now ranks sixth in the AIFA with 47 points per game. The Mariners continue to succeed on offense due to four major reasons: 1) Rushing Offense: Isaiah Grier continues to top the league in rushing and as a team the Mariners have the AIFA’s best rushing offense, 2) Turnovers: the offense has protected the ball well. Through 11 games they have only turned the ball over 19 times (4th best in the league), 3) Pass protection: the offensive line has only given up 15 sacks in 11 games, and 4) A balanced passing attack. QB E.J. Nemeth has thrived by spreading the ball around. Jamaal Stokes (58 receptions, 596 yards, and 9 touchdowns), Scorpio Brown (40, 444, and 9) and Aaron Yarbough (26, 365, and 5) have all taken turns making the Mariners’ highlight film. The Mariners will face a Stampede defense that ranks third in the AIFA in scoring defense and fourth in total defense. In the team’s two previous match-ups they held the Mariners to 35.5 points per game.
When the Stampede has the ball:
As solid as the Stampede defense has been the offense has struggled. Harrisburg ranks 13th in scoring offense (30.0 points per game) and total offense (163.9 yards per game) and has thrown an incredible 30 interceptions (2.5 per game). The three bright spots have been RB Eugene Goodman who ranks sixth in the league in rushing and wide receivers Rafael Cooper (53 receptions, 640 yards, and 11 touchdowns) and Mores Manoyrine (41, 389, and 6). The Stampede offensive woes do not bode well against a Baltimore defense, which ranks first is pass defense efficiency, is tied for the league lead in takeaways (37), and is third best in 1st downs against.
Game Outlook:
Goal one, the playoffs, has been achieved by the Mariners. They need some help, but goal number two, the division title, is within reach with just three games to go. The last two weeks have been very emotional with games against local rivals to the south, the D.C. Armor, but they have already built a combative rivalry with their rivals to the north. Look for the Mariners to keep their title hopes alive, but it should be a dog fight.
Baltimore Mariners (7-4) vs. Harrisburg Stampede (4-8)
Date/Time: Sunday, June 14th at 4:00 PM
Place: 1st Mariner Arena, Baltimore, MD
Baltimore Mariners Last Outing:
For the second week in a row the Mariners lit up the league’s #1 defense for 57 points as they dissected the D.C. Armor 57-28.
Harrisburg Stampede Last Outing:
In a match-up that saw ten turnovers and 16 penalties for 102 yards, the Stampede fell to the South Carolina Force, in Greenville, 36-30.
Series: Tied 1-1.
Two tough battles in Harrisburg, now the Stampede head down I-83 for a third match-up. The Mariners lost on a late field goal 37-34 on March 28th and then topped the Stampede 37-27 on May 2nd.
Baltimore Mariners Profile:
The Mariners are in the playoffs! After a 4-10 debut season in 2008, Baltimore ran its record to 7-4 and clinched a playoff berth last weekend. Their sights are now on the division title.
Harrisburg Stampede Profile:
This was not a friendly rivalry already and last weekend the Mariners eliminated Harrisburg from playoff contention. The first year club is 4-8 overall and 1-5 on the road.
Players to Watch:
Baltimore Mariners:
Offense: QB E.J. Nemeth (6’3", 245, Sacred Heart), RB Isaiah Greer (6’1", 215, Rhode Island), WR Jamaal Stokes (6’1", 185, Alcorn St.), WR Scorpio Brown (6'4", 225, Morehouse), WR Aaron Yarbough (5’ 10”, 185, VMI).
Defense: DB/WR Armar Watson (5’11", 180, Duquesne), DB Richard Johnson (5'11", 200, Virginia Tech), DB Andre Letren (5'11", 195, Troy State), LB Fearon Wright (6'4", 245, Rhode Island), DB/LB Joe Taylor (6’1”, 225, Morgan State), LB/DL Adam Goboloski (6'0", 235, Richmond), and LB Vincent Tiberi (6'2", 240, Wesley).
Special Teams: K J.R. Cipra (5'9", 170, Ohio Northern).
Harrisburg Stampede:
Offense: RB Eugene Goodman (5'10”, 185, Liberty), WR Mores Manoyrine (6'1", 200, South Carolina State).
Defense: DB Jermaine Thaxton (6' 2", 205, West Virginia), DB Archie Smith (6'1”, 180, Alabama State).
When the Mariners have the ball:
The Mariners offense has been on a roll in three straight wins averaging six touchdowns a game. The team now ranks sixth in the AIFA with 47 points per game. The Mariners continue to succeed on offense due to four major reasons: 1) Rushing Offense: Isaiah Grier continues to top the league in rushing and as a team the Mariners have the AIFA’s best rushing offense, 2) Turnovers: the offense has protected the ball well. Through 11 games they have only turned the ball over 19 times (4th best in the league), 3) Pass protection: the offensive line has only given up 15 sacks in 11 games, and 4) A balanced passing attack. QB E.J. Nemeth has thrived by spreading the ball around. Jamaal Stokes (58 receptions, 596 yards, and 9 touchdowns), Scorpio Brown (40, 444, and 9) and Aaron Yarbough (26, 365, and 5) have all taken turns making the Mariners’ highlight film. The Mariners will face a Stampede defense that ranks third in the AIFA in scoring defense and fourth in total defense. In the team’s two previous match-ups they held the Mariners to 35.5 points per game.
When the Stampede has the ball:
As solid as the Stampede defense has been the offense has struggled. Harrisburg ranks 13th in scoring offense (30.0 points per game) and total offense (163.9 yards per game) and has thrown an incredible 30 interceptions (2.5 per game). The three bright spots have been RB Eugene Goodman who ranks sixth in the league in rushing and wide receivers Rafael Cooper (53 receptions, 640 yards, and 11 touchdowns) and Mores Manoyrine (41, 389, and 6). The Stampede offensive woes do not bode well against a Baltimore defense, which ranks first is pass defense efficiency, is tied for the league lead in takeaways (37), and is third best in 1st downs against.
Game Outlook:
Goal one, the playoffs, has been achieved by the Mariners. They need some help, but goal number two, the division title, is within reach with just three games to go. The last two weeks have been very emotional with games against local rivals to the south, the D.C. Armor, but they have already built a combative rivalry with their rivals to the north. Look for the Mariners to keep their title hopes alive, but it should be a dog fight.