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01-07-2008, 09:44 AM
Scranton, PA(AP): The Steam Engines kicked off the 2009 season at home in a rivalry game and WFC Northeastern Division showdown against the Wilkes-Barre Coal Miners. The Steam Engines finished the 2008 campaign with a 1-15 record. The Wilkes-Barre Coal Miners finished the 2008 campaign with a 7-9 record. There were 45,500 in attendance. Which team would start the season off on the right foot with a win over their rival and a division victory?
In the 1st Quarter, the Coal Miners struck first when WR Rob Roberson caught a 12 yard TD pass from QB J.T. Ackerman, which made the score 7-0. In the 2nd Quarter, the Steam Engines responded when K Julio Mathis connected on a 42 yard FG, which made the score 7-3. The Coal Miners extended their lead when RB Ralph Ellard scored on a 4 yard TD run, which made the score 14-3. The Coal Miners led 14-3 at Halftime. In the 3rd Quarter, the Steam Engines cut into the lead when K Julio Mathis connected on a 36 yard FG, which made the score 14-6. The Steam Engines cut into the lead when K Julio Mathis connected on a 32 yard FG, which made the score 14-9. In the 4th Quarter, with under 2 minutes remaining, the Coal Miners extended their lead when K Tracy Glenn connected on an 18 yard FG, which made the score 17-9. The Coal Miners held on to win by the final score 17-9.
Coal Miners QB J.T. Ackerman was named MVP as he completed 21 of 28 passes (75%) for 293 yards with a TD. Coal Miners WR Gus Gray had a good performance as he recorded 5 receptions for 103 yards (20.6 Ypc). Coal Miners RB Ralph Ellard contributed as he recorded 19 carries for 75 yards (3.9 Ypc) with a TD and 5 receptions for 38 yards (7.6 Ypc). The Coal Miners were led on defense by S Deron Barker who was all over the field as he recorded 12 tackles and a sack. Coal Miners OLB Neil Sellers was all over the field as he recorded 11 tackles, 2 sacks, forced a fumble, and knocked down 5 passes. Coal Miners DT Jose Barrera had a solid performance as he recorded 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and knocked down 3 passes. Coal Miners CB Mike Small recorded an INT. The Steam Engines were led on offense by rookie RB Roger Boyd who recorded 14 carries for 108 yards (7.7 Ypc). Steam Engines FB Orlando Owens made an impact out of the backfield as he recorded 5 receptions for 61 yards (12.2 Ypc). Steam Engines K Julio Mathis connected on 3 of 3 FG's (100%) with a long of 42 yards and scored all 9 of the Steam Engines points. The Steam Engines were led on defense by ILB Al Fleming who had a solid performance as he recorded 8 tackles. Steam Engines S Greg Vang had a solid performance as he recorded 7 tackles. Steam Engines CB Wally Theriot contributed as he recorded 6 tackles.
Scranton Steam Engines Head Coach, Josh Poor had these comments after the game, "This was a disappointing loss to start off the season, but we fought hard and were in the game the whole way. Offensively, we ran the ball very well, but our passing game was inconsistent and rather ineffective. We gave up 7 sacks which is very unacceptable. We really need to work on protecting our QB and giving him time to find the open man downfield. The Coal Miners put a lot of pressure on our QB today. We didn't convert on 3rd down as well as we'd hoped. We were held to 6 points on 2 trips to the Red Zone. When you get that close you need to be able to put the ball in the End Zone. Defensively, we limited their rushing attack, but gave up too much in the air. We made some key stops on 3rd down. We need to put this loss aside and get focused on the rest of the season. We will study the game film and find ways to improve. We travel to play the Copenhagen Great Danes (1-0) next week and need to find a way to win this game to get back on track. The Great Danes are led on offense by QB Luke Gaulin who is entering the contest with 271 yards passing. Gaulin is a top 10 QB in WOOF and our secondary will be tested. We need to get pressure on Gaulin early and force him into making mistakes. The Great Danes are led on defense by SS Peter Barnes who is a punishing hitter. We need to find ways to take Barnes out of the game and not force the ball in his direction. Barnes can single-handedly change the outcome of a game, so we need to be careful out there.
WFC Northeastern Division Standings
1) Wilkes-Barre Coal Miners 1-0
2) Hawk Mountain Sharpshins 1-0
3) Atlantic City Gamblers 0-1
4) Scranton Steam Engines 0-1
Steam Engines Injuries
G Harold Silvanic: Hyperextended Elbow: OUT
DT Justin Appleton: Broken Clavicle: Doubtful
T Kerry Breck: Strained Triceps Muscle: Questionable
FS Greg Vang: Sprained Knee: Questionable
WR Raymond Pepper: Pulled Groin: Questionable
DE Bernard Dixon: Elbow Bursitis: Probable
In the 1st Quarter, the Coal Miners struck first when WR Rob Roberson caught a 12 yard TD pass from QB J.T. Ackerman, which made the score 7-0. In the 2nd Quarter, the Steam Engines responded when K Julio Mathis connected on a 42 yard FG, which made the score 7-3. The Coal Miners extended their lead when RB Ralph Ellard scored on a 4 yard TD run, which made the score 14-3. The Coal Miners led 14-3 at Halftime. In the 3rd Quarter, the Steam Engines cut into the lead when K Julio Mathis connected on a 36 yard FG, which made the score 14-6. The Steam Engines cut into the lead when K Julio Mathis connected on a 32 yard FG, which made the score 14-9. In the 4th Quarter, with under 2 minutes remaining, the Coal Miners extended their lead when K Tracy Glenn connected on an 18 yard FG, which made the score 17-9. The Coal Miners held on to win by the final score 17-9.
Coal Miners QB J.T. Ackerman was named MVP as he completed 21 of 28 passes (75%) for 293 yards with a TD. Coal Miners WR Gus Gray had a good performance as he recorded 5 receptions for 103 yards (20.6 Ypc). Coal Miners RB Ralph Ellard contributed as he recorded 19 carries for 75 yards (3.9 Ypc) with a TD and 5 receptions for 38 yards (7.6 Ypc). The Coal Miners were led on defense by S Deron Barker who was all over the field as he recorded 12 tackles and a sack. Coal Miners OLB Neil Sellers was all over the field as he recorded 11 tackles, 2 sacks, forced a fumble, and knocked down 5 passes. Coal Miners DT Jose Barrera had a solid performance as he recorded 7 tackles, 2 sacks, and knocked down 3 passes. Coal Miners CB Mike Small recorded an INT. The Steam Engines were led on offense by rookie RB Roger Boyd who recorded 14 carries for 108 yards (7.7 Ypc). Steam Engines FB Orlando Owens made an impact out of the backfield as he recorded 5 receptions for 61 yards (12.2 Ypc). Steam Engines K Julio Mathis connected on 3 of 3 FG's (100%) with a long of 42 yards and scored all 9 of the Steam Engines points. The Steam Engines were led on defense by ILB Al Fleming who had a solid performance as he recorded 8 tackles. Steam Engines S Greg Vang had a solid performance as he recorded 7 tackles. Steam Engines CB Wally Theriot contributed as he recorded 6 tackles.
Scranton Steam Engines Head Coach, Josh Poor had these comments after the game, "This was a disappointing loss to start off the season, but we fought hard and were in the game the whole way. Offensively, we ran the ball very well, but our passing game was inconsistent and rather ineffective. We gave up 7 sacks which is very unacceptable. We really need to work on protecting our QB and giving him time to find the open man downfield. The Coal Miners put a lot of pressure on our QB today. We didn't convert on 3rd down as well as we'd hoped. We were held to 6 points on 2 trips to the Red Zone. When you get that close you need to be able to put the ball in the End Zone. Defensively, we limited their rushing attack, but gave up too much in the air. We made some key stops on 3rd down. We need to put this loss aside and get focused on the rest of the season. We will study the game film and find ways to improve. We travel to play the Copenhagen Great Danes (1-0) next week and need to find a way to win this game to get back on track. The Great Danes are led on offense by QB Luke Gaulin who is entering the contest with 271 yards passing. Gaulin is a top 10 QB in WOOF and our secondary will be tested. We need to get pressure on Gaulin early and force him into making mistakes. The Great Danes are led on defense by SS Peter Barnes who is a punishing hitter. We need to find ways to take Barnes out of the game and not force the ball in his direction. Barnes can single-handedly change the outcome of a game, so we need to be careful out there.
WFC Northeastern Division Standings
1) Wilkes-Barre Coal Miners 1-0
2) Hawk Mountain Sharpshins 1-0
3) Atlantic City Gamblers 0-1
4) Scranton Steam Engines 0-1
Steam Engines Injuries
G Harold Silvanic: Hyperextended Elbow: OUT
DT Justin Appleton: Broken Clavicle: Doubtful
T Kerry Breck: Strained Triceps Muscle: Questionable
FS Greg Vang: Sprained Knee: Questionable
WR Raymond Pepper: Pulled Groin: Questionable
DE Bernard Dixon: Elbow Bursitis: Probable