Post by marinersmedia on Jun 20, 2010 9:48:12 GMT -5
Grier Posts Franchise Record 103 yards rushing, D Tallies 4 Ints, 4 Sacks
BALTIMORE, MD (June 19, 2010) – After a close call last weekend in Erie and with two regular season games remaining on their schedule, Baltimore Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson had two goals in mind for his club as they tuned up for the playoffs. He said he was looking for more “consistency” from his offense and continued “aggressive and physical play” from his defense. Against the New Jersey Revolution Coach Simpson got his wish.
Led by three rushing touchdowns and a franchise record 103 rushing yards from Isaiah Grier, five touchdown passes (three from starter E.J. Nemeth and two from Matt Folke), along with a ball-hawking defense which totaled four interceptions and four sacks the Mariners demolished the Revolution 84-6 at 1st Mariner Arena.
On paper the Revolution’s last place scoring defense looked to be no match for Baltimore’s league leading scoring offense and it also appeared the Mariners’ takeaway machine would give New Jersey troubles. On the field that quickly played out as the Mariners jumped on the Revolution early and never let up.
On New Jersey’s second play from scrimmage defensive back Desmond Maul picked off a Mike Merritt pass and returned it 21 yards to the Baltimore 15. E.J. Nemeth assembled a six-play 35-yard drive and called his own number on the last play of the drive as he rushed in from four yards to give the Mariners a 7-0 lead at the 5:15 mark of the first period.
New Jersey continued to experience early game woes as Daniel Orlebar and Jermaine Thaxton combined on a sack forcing New Jersey to go for a 33-yard field goal on third down. Geoff Wolyniec missed, however, and the Mariners took over on their own ten.
After the Baltimore drive stalled J.R. Cipra kicked a 47-yard field goal and then booted a uno on the ensuing kickoff to extend the Mariners’ edge to 11-0; the score at the end of the first quarter.
The Mariners got on the board three times early in the second period with scores from the defense, offense and special teams. Nemeth hit Scorpio Brown with a 12-yard scoring strike, Cipra added an extra point and a uno, and Orlebar recorded a safety to provide the Mariners with a 21-0 lead just 2:35 into the second quarter.
Baltimore continued to dominate the period with two rushing scores by Grier and a 40-yard scoring connection from Nemeth to Brown. Wolyniec hit a 46-yard field goal and the teams went to the locker room at halftime with the Mariners up 42-3.
Nemeth found Aaron Yarbough on a 30-yard score on the first play of the second half to boost the Mariners’ lead to 49-3. On New Jersey’s first play from scrimmage in the third period Orlebar handed the Revolution another sack, also causing a fumble, which was recovered by Mariners’ Defensive End Fearon Wright for a 12-yard fumble recovery score.
After another Nemeth rushing touchdown from one-yard and Wolyniec’s second field goal of the night (a 45-yarder) made the score 63-6 Mariners with just over two minutes to go in the third period, Coach Simpson turned the reins of the offense over to Matt Folke.
Folke picked up where Nemeth left off leading the Mariners on three scoring drives on 3 of 5 passing, tossing two touchdown passes to Aaron Yarbough and leading Baltimore to a final score on an Isaiah Grier 24-yard touchdown dash.
With the 84-6 win the Mariners set a new team record for margin of victory, breaking the 72-point mark they set earlier in the season in a 91-19 win over Fayetteville. Grier also established a franchise record with 103 rushing yards. With his three rushing touchdowns Grier now has 34 total touchdowns this season.
Nemeth also got back in stride this week, after going 12 for 29 passing against Erie last week, connecting on 11 of 14 passes for 143 yards and three scores. Folke totaled 45 yards with his three completions and tossed the first two touchdown passes of his pro career. Nemeth extended his franchise record season touchdown passing total to 47.
Aaron Yarbough led all receivers with six receptions, 85 yards, and three scores. Scorpio Brown tallied 4 receptions for 69 yards and two scores and Jamaal Stokes added four receptions for 34 yards.
On the defensive side Daniel Orlebar was a force with three tackles, three tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Armar Watson led all Mariners with 3.5 tackles and also notched another interception running his league leading total to 12. Veteran David Smith, making his first appearance for the Mariners, notched 2.5 tackles and his first interception as a Mariner after totaling nine for the Reading Express since the start of the 2008 season.
Melik Brown also added his 12th sack of the season; Jermaine Thaxton added a tackle for a loss and .5 sacks while Desmond Maul led Baltimore defenders with two interceptions.
The Mariners (13-0) will complete their regular season on Saturday, June 26th at 1st Mariner Arena at 7:00 PM. Baltimore will have the opportunity to become the first team in American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) history to complete a regular season undefeated.
Their opponent, the defending AIFA champions, the Reading Express (8-5) must win to clinch a playoff berth. With a Reading loss, the Erie Storm (8-6) will take the Eastern Conference’s third and final playoff spot.
- John Wolfe
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
BALTIMORE, MD (June 19, 2010) – After a close call last weekend in Erie and with two regular season games remaining on their schedule, Baltimore Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson had two goals in mind for his club as they tuned up for the playoffs. He said he was looking for more “consistency” from his offense and continued “aggressive and physical play” from his defense. Against the New Jersey Revolution Coach Simpson got his wish.
Led by three rushing touchdowns and a franchise record 103 rushing yards from Isaiah Grier, five touchdown passes (three from starter E.J. Nemeth and two from Matt Folke), along with a ball-hawking defense which totaled four interceptions and four sacks the Mariners demolished the Revolution 84-6 at 1st Mariner Arena.
On paper the Revolution’s last place scoring defense looked to be no match for Baltimore’s league leading scoring offense and it also appeared the Mariners’ takeaway machine would give New Jersey troubles. On the field that quickly played out as the Mariners jumped on the Revolution early and never let up.
On New Jersey’s second play from scrimmage defensive back Desmond Maul picked off a Mike Merritt pass and returned it 21 yards to the Baltimore 15. E.J. Nemeth assembled a six-play 35-yard drive and called his own number on the last play of the drive as he rushed in from four yards to give the Mariners a 7-0 lead at the 5:15 mark of the first period.
New Jersey continued to experience early game woes as Daniel Orlebar and Jermaine Thaxton combined on a sack forcing New Jersey to go for a 33-yard field goal on third down. Geoff Wolyniec missed, however, and the Mariners took over on their own ten.
After the Baltimore drive stalled J.R. Cipra kicked a 47-yard field goal and then booted a uno on the ensuing kickoff to extend the Mariners’ edge to 11-0; the score at the end of the first quarter.
The Mariners got on the board three times early in the second period with scores from the defense, offense and special teams. Nemeth hit Scorpio Brown with a 12-yard scoring strike, Cipra added an extra point and a uno, and Orlebar recorded a safety to provide the Mariners with a 21-0 lead just 2:35 into the second quarter.
Baltimore continued to dominate the period with two rushing scores by Grier and a 40-yard scoring connection from Nemeth to Brown. Wolyniec hit a 46-yard field goal and the teams went to the locker room at halftime with the Mariners up 42-3.
Nemeth found Aaron Yarbough on a 30-yard score on the first play of the second half to boost the Mariners’ lead to 49-3. On New Jersey’s first play from scrimmage in the third period Orlebar handed the Revolution another sack, also causing a fumble, which was recovered by Mariners’ Defensive End Fearon Wright for a 12-yard fumble recovery score.
After another Nemeth rushing touchdown from one-yard and Wolyniec’s second field goal of the night (a 45-yarder) made the score 63-6 Mariners with just over two minutes to go in the third period, Coach Simpson turned the reins of the offense over to Matt Folke.
Folke picked up where Nemeth left off leading the Mariners on three scoring drives on 3 of 5 passing, tossing two touchdown passes to Aaron Yarbough and leading Baltimore to a final score on an Isaiah Grier 24-yard touchdown dash.
With the 84-6 win the Mariners set a new team record for margin of victory, breaking the 72-point mark they set earlier in the season in a 91-19 win over Fayetteville. Grier also established a franchise record with 103 rushing yards. With his three rushing touchdowns Grier now has 34 total touchdowns this season.
Nemeth also got back in stride this week, after going 12 for 29 passing against Erie last week, connecting on 11 of 14 passes for 143 yards and three scores. Folke totaled 45 yards with his three completions and tossed the first two touchdown passes of his pro career. Nemeth extended his franchise record season touchdown passing total to 47.
Aaron Yarbough led all receivers with six receptions, 85 yards, and three scores. Scorpio Brown tallied 4 receptions for 69 yards and two scores and Jamaal Stokes added four receptions for 34 yards.
On the defensive side Daniel Orlebar was a force with three tackles, three tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks, and a forced fumble. Armar Watson led all Mariners with 3.5 tackles and also notched another interception running his league leading total to 12. Veteran David Smith, making his first appearance for the Mariners, notched 2.5 tackles and his first interception as a Mariner after totaling nine for the Reading Express since the start of the 2008 season.
Melik Brown also added his 12th sack of the season; Jermaine Thaxton added a tackle for a loss and .5 sacks while Desmond Maul led Baltimore defenders with two interceptions.
The Mariners (13-0) will complete their regular season on Saturday, June 26th at 1st Mariner Arena at 7:00 PM. Baltimore will have the opportunity to become the first team in American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) history to complete a regular season undefeated.
Their opponent, the defending AIFA champions, the Reading Express (8-5) must win to clinch a playoff berth. With a Reading loss, the Erie Storm (8-6) will take the Eastern Conference’s third and final playoff spot.
- John Wolfe
For more information about the Baltimore Mariners go to www.baltimoremariners.com.
