The 2011 Erie Explosion season was the 5th season for the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) franchise.
| 2011 Erie Explosion season | |
|---|---|
| Owner | Bill Stafford |
| General manager | Shawn Liotta |
| Head coach | Shawn Liotta |
| Home field | Louis J. Tullio Arena |
| Results | |
| Record | 9-3 |
| Division place | 1st |
| Playoff finish | Lost 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 edit
| 2011 Erie Explosion roster | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
|
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
|
Defensive backs
Kickers
|
Injured reserve
Exempt list
Practice squad
| |||
Schedule edit
Regular season edit
| 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 edit
| Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 18 | Albany Panthers | Away | Lost 43-68 |
Standings edit
| 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 edit
- ^ "Erie football team named Explosion". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. December 3, 2010. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "Erie's indoor football now in SIFL". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. November 16, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie Explosion Sign QB Adam DiMichele for 2011". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 17, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Maurice Williams Back in the Game with Erie Explosion". www.oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. January 17, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Erie Explosion QB named indoor league MVP". www.goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 9, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Press Release on Canceled Season". Archived from the original on 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2013-12-26.