2011 Erie Explosion season

The 2011 Erie Explosion season was the 5th season for the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) franchise.

2011 Erie Explosion season
OwnerBill Stafford
General managerShawn Liotta
Head coachShawn Liotta
Home fieldLouis J. Tullio Arena
Results
Record9-3
Division place1st
Playoff finishLost Eastern Conference Round 1 (vs. Albany Panthers) 68-43

On December 3, 2010, the team announced its new identity as the Erie Explosion, including a new logo, but retaining the same color scheme as the Storm previously had. After dealing with the legalities of the previous name, the ownership of the Explosion have secured the legal trademark of the new name, ensuring that this will be the last re-brand in the foreseeable future.[1] The Erie Explosion was also one of 6 AIFA teams which were merged with the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) prior to the 2011 season.[2] The Explosion announced the signing of Quarterback, Adam DiMichele,[3] along with former local Erie Strong Vincent star, Maurice Williams,[4] and college star receiver David Ball.

On May 21, 2011, the Explosion set a single-game franchise record, including an unofficial indoor football record, for the most points scored in a 138-0 blowout win over the Fayetteville Force after the Force was forced to restock its team with scrubs in an ownership change.[5] The margin of victory is the third-highest in all of professional football, and the highest in over 100 years: only the 1903 Massillon Tigers (who won a game 148-0) and 1904 Watertown Red & Black (who won a game 142-0) have had wider margins of victory.

The Explosion finished the season with a 9–4 record, winning the Northeast Division, but were defeated 68–43 by the Albany Panthers in the first round of the playoffs.[6] Despite the playoff loss, DiMichele was named SIFL MVP, finishing the season with 91 touchdown passes.[7]

Roster
2011 Erie Explosion roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

  • 99 Bob Hammer

Wide receivers

 Offensive linemen
  • 62 Joe Blanks
  • -- Mike Fazio
  • -- Ron Idoko

Defensive linemen

  • -- Andre Mathis
  • -- Jerrickus Speights

Linebackers

  •  2 Roosevelt Benjamin
Defensive backs
  • 11 Sam Reynolds
  •  3 Lenny Wicks

Kickers

  • currently vacant
 Injured reserve
  • currently vacant

Exempt list

  • currently vacant

Practice squad

  • currently vacant
  • rookies in italics
  • Roster updated February 19, 2013
  • 15 Active, 0 Inactive, 0 PS

Schedule

Regular season
The Tullio Arena scoreboard following the Explosion's record-setting game from 2011.
Date Opponent Home/Away Result
March 20 Harrisburg Stampede Away Won 46-25
March 26 Trenton Steel Away Won 76-73
April 1 Carolina Speed Away Won 39-36
April 9 Trenton Steel Home Lost 62-65
April 15 Harrisburg Stampede Home Won 89-35
April 23 Richmond Raiders Home Won 74-54
April 30 Harrisburg Stampede Away Lost 40-41
May 7 Richmond Raiders Away Won 65-50
May 13 Trenton Steel Home Won 90-79
May 21 Fayetteville Force Home Won 138-0
May 26 Trenton Steel Away Lost 78-53
June 4 Harrisburg Stampede Home Won 71-32

Postseason
Date Opponent Home/Away Result
June 18 Albany Panthers Away Lost 43-68

Standings
Team Overall Division
Wins Losses Percentage Wins Losses Percentage
Eastern Conference
Northeast Division
Erie Explosion 9 3 0.750 5 3 0.625
Trenton Steel 8 4 0.667 6 2 0.750
Harrisburg Stampede 2 10 0.167 1 7 0.125
Mid-Atlantic Division
Richmond Raiders* 6 6 0.500 3 1 0.750
Carolina Speed 3 9 0.250 2 2 0.250
Fayetteville Force 3 9 0.250 1 3 0.250
South Division
Columbus Lions 11 1 0.917 5 1 0.833
Albany Panthers 9 2 0.818 4 2 0.667
Alabama Hammers 3 8 0.273 0 6 0.000
Western Conference
Gulf Division
Louisiana Swashbucklers 8 4 0.667 1 0 1.000
Mobile Bay Tarpons** 2 3 0.500 0 1 0.000
Lafayette Wildcatters*** 0 12 0.000 0 12 0.000
Southwest Division
Houston Stallions 12 0 1.000 8 0 1.000
Corpus Christi Hammerheads 7 5 0.583 3 4 0.429
Rio Grande Valley Magic 6 6 0.500 3 6 0.333
Abilene Ruff Riders 4 8 0.333 1 6 0.143
  • Green indicates clinched playoff berth
  • Purple indicates division champion
  • Grey indicates best league record
  • * = Failed to make the playoffs despite winning division
  • ** = Folded five games into their season.
  • *** = Suspended operations prior to the season due to lack of Worker's Compensation Insurance[8]

References
  1. "Erie football team named Explosion". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. December 3, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  2. "Erie's indoor football now in SIFL". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. November 16, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  3. "Erie Explosion Sign QB Adam DiMichele for 2011". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  4. "Maurice Williams Back in the Game with Erie Explosion". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. January 17, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  5. Duane Rankin (May 22, 2011). "Erie Explosion set record in 138-0 win". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
  6. Duane Rankin (June 23, 2011). "Erie Explosion's record season ended in disappointment". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  7. "Erie Explosion QB named indoor league MVP". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 9, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  8. "Press Release on Canceled Season". Archived from the original on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-26.
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