Erie Explosion
Erie Explosion | |
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Established 2007 Folded 2015 Played in Erie Insurance Arena in Erie, Pennsylvania | |
Current uniform | |
Team colors | Black, Orange, White |
Cheerleaders | ERIEsistables |
Personnel | |
Owner(s) | Bill Stafford |
General manager | Shawn Liotta |
Head coach | Shawn Liotta (2007–2008, 2010–2015) Steven G. Fulmar (2009) |
Team history | |
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Championships | |
League championships (2) | |
Conference championships (0) | |
Division championships (2)
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Playoff appearances (7) | |
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Home arena(s) | |
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The Erie Explosion was a professional American
Franchise history
2007
The Explosion began play in 2007 as the Pittsburgh RiverRats at the Rostraver Ice Garden in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.[1]
The RiverRats played their first game at
2008: Moving to Erie
On January 8, 2008, the RiverRats announced they would be relocating to Erie in time for the 2008 season, rebranding themselves as the Erie RiverRats.[4] They replaced the city's previous AIFA team, the Erie Freeze.[5]
2009: Loss of Liotta
In August, 2008, head coach Shawn Liotta resigned as coach of the RiverRats and left to coach the Wheeling Wildcats.[6] In September 2008, the RiverRats named Steven G. Folmar as the franchise's second head coach.[7] In December 2008, owner Jeff Hauser sold the team to a group of local businessmen, headed by Jeff Plyler, Bob Foltyn and Frank Herman.[8][9] The RiverRats had to replace many players on the roster, as most of the 2008 roster followed Liotta to Wheeling.[10] As a result of all the changes, the RiverRats struggled all season to score points, resulting in offensive coordinator Paul Pennington's resignation after an 0–3 start.[11] After dropping to 0–7, the RiverRats got their first win of the season on a last second field goal by Joe Lindway.[12] The RiverRats ended up finishing with a 3–11 record, and missing the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.[13]
2010
On September 8, 2009, the RiverRats announced that Liotta would return to Erie as the head coach for the 2010 season.[14] In December, it was announced that owner Jeff Hauser had sold a stake in the franchise to a local group that included Jeff Plyler (owner of Plyler Overhead Door of McKean, Pennsylvania) and Bill Stafford (owner of several Subway restaurant locations in Erie), among others.[15] The team remained in the AIFA, and the team adopted the corporate name "Erie Professional Football, Inc." in December 2009, in anticipation of a new franchise name to be announced in January 2010.[16]
Hauser maintained a smaller stake in the team, which immediately dropped the RiverRats name. On January 5, 2010, the team announced the four finalists of the name-the-team contest; Storm, Blizzard, Pulse, and Punishers. On January 14, 2010, the team was officially named the Erie Storm via a press conference, in which the team logo and colors were also released.[17]
On May 5, 2010, the Painesville, Ohio-based Lake Erie College sued the team over the "Erie Storm" name because their athletic teams use the "Storm" moniker.[18] In July 2010, they dropped "Storm" in favor of "Erie Professional Football", which remains the name of the team's corporate entity.
2011: SIFL
On December 3, 2010, the team announced its new Erie Explosion identity, albeit retaining the same color scheme as the Storm. The Explosion was also one of six AIFA teams which merged with the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) prior to the 2011 season.[19]
On May 21, 2011, the Explosion set a single-game franchise record, including an indoor football record, for the most points scored in a 138–0 decisive win over the
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.[21] Despite the playoff loss, DiMichele was named SIFL MVP, finishing the season with 91 touchdown passes.[22]
2012: UIFL
On August 25, 2011, the Explosion left the SIFL and joined the
The Explosion faced the Cincinnati Commandos, who had only lost two games all season, one of which was to Erie. The Commandos defeated the Explosion 62–40 to advance to the Ultimate Bowl.[29]
2013: CIFL and Championship
The Explosion left the UIFL after the 2012 season. The team remained idle for about a month, while fielding offers to join four different leagues. Owner Bill Stafford ultimately decided to join the
2014: Back-to-back champions
In June, 2013, the Explosion agreed to terms with the CIFL to return for the 2014 season.[36] The team eventually won a second straight championship over the Marion Blue Racers.
2015: PIFL
With the partial collapse of the CIFL in the 2014 season and the exodus of several of its teams to
2016: Suspension of operations
On August 23, 2015, the Explosion announced that they would rejoin the revived CIFL, which was to be a member of the
Shawn Liotta went on to become a key figure in the development of Fan Controlled Football, along with his high school coaching.
Players
Final roster
Erie Explosion roster | ||||||
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
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Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
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Linebackers
Defensive backs
Kickers
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Injured reserve
Exempt list
Failure to report
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Awards and honors
The following is a list of all Pittsburgh/Erie players who won league awards
Season | Player | Position | Award |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Adam DiMichele | QB | SIFL MVP |
2011 | Kevin Concepcion | WR | SIFL Offensive Player of the Year |
2012 | A. J. McKenna | QB | UIFL Offensive Player of the Year |
2013 | Kwaheem Smith | DB | CIFL Defensive Player of the Year |
2014 | Aaron Smentanka | QB | CIFL Offensive Player of the Year |
Coaches
Head coaches
Name | Term | Regular season | Playoffs | Awards | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | Win% | W | L | |||
Shawn Liotta | 2007–2008 2010–2015 |
62 | 34 | 0 | .646 | 5 | 5 | 2012 UIFL North Coach of the Year 2013 CIFL Coach of the Year |
Steven G. Fulmar | 2009 | 3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 0 | 0 |
Coaching staff
Erie Explosion staff | ||||||
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Front office
Head coach
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
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Season-by-season
League Champions | Conference Champions | Division Champions | Wild Card Berth | League Leader |
Season | Team | League
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Conference
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Division | Regular season
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Postseason results
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Finish | Wins | Losses | Ties | ||||||||
2007 | 2007 | AIFA
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Northern | 4th | 7 | 7 | 0 | Lost Quarterfinals (Express) 24–32 | |||
2008 | 2008 | AIFA
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Eastern | North | 2nd | 10 | 4 | 0 | Lost Divisional Playoffs (Express) 57–67 | ||
2009 | 2009 | AIFA
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North | 5th | 3 | 11 | 0 | ||||
2010 | 2010 | AIFA
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Eastern | 3rd | 8 | 6 | 0 | Lost Eastern Division Playoff (Stampede) 48–52 | |||
2011 | 2011 | SIFL | Eastern | Northeast | 1st | 9 | 3 | 0 | Lost Round 1 (Panthers) 43–68 | ||
2012 | 2012 | UIFL | North | 2nd | 8 | 3 | Won North Conference Quarterfinals (Blue Racers) 56–47 Lost North Conference Championship (Commandos) 42–60 | ||||
2013
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2013 | CIFL | 1st | 10 | 0 | Won Semifinals () 37–36 | |||||
2014
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2014 | CIFL | North | 2nd | 8 | 2 | 0 | Won North Division Championship (Sting) 46–15 Won CIFL Championship Game (Blue Racers) 38–26 | |||
2015 | 2015 | PIFL
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7th | 2 | 9 | 0 | |||||
Totals | 65 | 45 | 0 | All-time regular season record (2007–2015) | |||||||
5 | 5 | - | All-time postseason record (2007–2015) | ||||||||
70 | 50 | 0 | All-time regular season and postseason record (2007–2015) |
References
- ^ Phil Axelrod (August 5, 2006). "River Rats to debut in American Indoor Football League in 2007, will play in Rostraver". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "RiverRats Fall to Mississippi in Season Opener". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. February 7, 2007. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ Jeff Oliver (May 21, 2007). "RiverRats score 86 to reach AIFA playoffs". triblive.com. Trib Total Media, Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "Pittsburgh RiverRats Relocate to Erie, PA". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. January 8, 2008. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (January 9, 2008). "Indoor football is back". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Liotta resigns as RiverRats coach". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. August 5, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie RiverRats Name Steven G. Folmar as New Head Coach". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. September 2, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "Area group purchases RiverRats". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. December 11, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie RiverRats Sold to Local Business Group". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 16, 2008. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "Wheeling Wildcats Sign QB Rod Rutherford for 2009 Season". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 12, 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Struggling RiverRats seek new offensive coordinator". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. April 9, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (May 11, 2009). "RiverRats kick winless label at buzzer". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie Ends 2009 Season With 60-20 Blowout of Defending Champs". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. June 29, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "Liotta returns to coach RiverRats". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. September 8, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Professional Football Continues in Erie Under New Ownership". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. December 29, 2009. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Indoor football a go in Erie for 2010". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. December 29, 2009. Retrieved December 26, 2013.
- ^ "New Erie football nickname: Storm". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. January 14, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Victor Fernandes (May 7, 2010). "Lake Erie College sues Storm over nickname". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie's indoor football now in SIFL". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. November 16, 2010. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Duane Rankin (May 22, 2011). "Erie Explosion set record in 138-0 win". 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". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie Explosion QB named indoor league MVP". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. July 9, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie Explosion joins new league". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. August 27, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ a b John Dudley (March 1, 2012). "Erie Explosion count on new QB to lead way". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (April 1, 2012). "Debut dynamite for Erie Explosion QB McKenna". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Explosion stumble, lose top seed in playoffs". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. June 11, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Erie Explosion to play indoor football playoff game outdoors". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. June 12, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (June 17, 2012). "Explosion erupt in 4th to top Blue Racers in UIFL playoff game". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Explosion fall in UIFL playoffs". goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. June 24, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (August 31, 2012). "Erie Explosion join new indoor football league". Erie Times-News. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (February 2, 2013). "In new league, Explosion ready to open training camp". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ "Rookie QB leads Explosion to win in season opener". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. February 18, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (May 3, 2013). "Stokes makes big impact with Explosion". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (May 6, 2013). "Erie Explosion advance to CIFL title game". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Bob Jarzomski (May 13, 2013). "Explosion nips Sting for CIFL title". goerie.com. CyberInk LP and the Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
- ^ Cory Butzin (June 10, 2013). "Continental Indoor Football League agree to terms with five teams for next season". mlive.com. MLive Media Group. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ^ "Erie Explosion Joins PIFL". oursportscentral.com. OurSports Central. October 13, 2014. Retrieved October 13, 2014.
- ^ "Supreme Indoor Football and Continental Indoor Football League Join Forces". OurSportsCentral. August 23, 2015. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
- ^ "Erie Explosion Suspend 2016 Football Operations". Our Sports Central. January 18, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Lisa (January 18, 2016). "Erie Explosion Suspends Operations for 2016". WICU-TV. Retrieved January 19, 2016.