Harrisburg Stampede’s Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski announced today that the Stampede has re-signed local player and fan favorite Will Hines for the 2013 Season.

Will Hines is one of those players that are just finding out how valuable he is to a team.

He is an All-Purpose player. In the past Will only played one position, LB. Last season with the Stampede Will found out he is way more talented at this game and at several positions. Will still played some LB, but added all 3 positions on the D-Line. Will also learned several of the Offensive Line positions just in case there was a need for him to play Offense and he plays on almost every special team. The 2013 season will again find him as a multi-position player. We have even talked about Will expanding his position expertise and give him some running back work when we go to a big set.

Will is not only a versatile player for the Stampede. He is a fan favorite and always has time to be with the kids after the games to take pictures and sign autographs. He is a team leader on and off the field and makes it a point to get along with all his team mates.

Just a Reminder: Stampede Box Season Tickets are on Sale Now and always check out our web site for several Off-Season Team Meet and Greets.

Harrisburg Stampede’s Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski announced today that the Stampede has come to terms with 2012 Offensive Player of the Year, EJ Nemeth for the 2013 Season.

 

Sometimes it takes a few years for teams to gel and become the type of team that is in the hunt every year for a Championship. The Stampede was in that hunt last season but came up just a bit short. According to Offensive League MVP, EJ Nemeth, “We have some unfinished business to attend to”.  Head Coach Nowotarski likes that attitude in his QB and his Team. “Having most of this group stay together for another season and under a system that they understand and being led by EJ is just the type of situation you want your team to be in as the off season progresses”.

 

EJ led the Stampede Offense with a mix of passing and running. EJ rushed for 134 yards on 37 carries and 16 touchdowns. He completed 133 passes of 257 attempts for 1639 yards and 33 touchdowns. It was those stats in just 9 games along with his leadership that put the Stampede in position to win a Championship and made him the Leagues Offensive Player of the Year. “We didn’t reach our goal and win the Championship, the motivation right now is to come back for the 2013 season with only one goal on our minds, to win a Championship”, commented Nemeth.  

 

 

Just a Reminder: Stampede Box Seat Season Tickets are On-Sale NOW.

The Cape Fear Heroes are pleased to announce their first FanFest will be held at this year’s Cumberland County Fair September 7^th – 16^th.

The event will run for ten days and take place on the fair grounds at the Crown Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina and will encompass an area of interactive games, mascots, pep rallies, football and dance team clinics all taking place on a portion of Heroes game field that will be set up special for this event. The Heroes will have giveaway items as well as autograph and picture opportunities with your favorite Cape Fear Heroes players, dance team or promotion team members.

In addition to the various activities you will be able to purchase Heroes merchandise, reserve your 2013 Heroes Season Tickets or join the Heroes Kids Club. Best of all, its FREE to anyone attending the fair!

All activities take place outdoors (rain or shine). A complete list of Heroes FanFest daily activities will be posted soon at www.capefearheroes.com.
For more information on the Cumberland County Fair go to www.cumberlandcountyfair.org or click on the fair logo on this website.

The American Indoor Football is pleased to announce that JeRome Mann of the Cape Fear Heroes has been named the 2012 AIF Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2012 as a defensive back for the Champion Cape Fear Heroes JeRome lead the team to a franchise record 12 interceptions in nine games. Mann is no stranger to success in indoor football over a three year period he has accumulated 30 interceptions while playing for four different teams the Richmond Raiders (2010), the Fayetteville Force and Carolina Speed (2011) and the Cape Fear Heroes (2012).He is also a two time indoor football all-star first with the AIFA in 2010 and then the AIF in 2012.

When asked about winning this great award JeRome says I would like to thank god for giving me the ability to play football at a high level in both practices and games. This award is a great individual award but without the rest of the team it would not have been possible. I had the opportunity this year to play side by side with a great group of players on the way to our undefeated season and AIF Championship. I also want to give a special thanks to my defensive line and linebackers for dominating each and every week, they made it easy for myself and our secondary to excel in 2012

JeRome played his college football at Saint Paul’s College in Virginia as a defensive back and was named to the 2005 CIAA All Rookie Team and was then named to the CIAA Honorable Mention Team in 2007. He has also played in two college all-star games, the 2008 East Coast Bowl and the 2009 Cactus Bowl the later a division 2 all-star played in Kingsville Texas. In 2009 after college JeRome was a pre-draft candidate and had several workouts with NFL teams before beginning his career in indoor football.

A complete list of 2012 AIF All-Stars will be released in the near future.

The American Indoor Football is pleased to announce EJ Nemeth as its 2012 Offensive Player of the Year.

 

EJ lead the AIF with 1639 passing yards on 133 completions out of 257 attempts for 37 touchdowns  in 2012, leading the Harrisburg Stampede to a 7-2 overall record. Under his leadership he lead the Stampede through the regular season with a 6-1 record and a 1-1 playoff record before the Stampede lost in the AIF Eastern Conference Finals by only two points to the eventual AIF Champions. Stampede Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski was pleased with EJ’s performance in 2012 and is excited to see him honored with this award, EJ was a major contributor in the success of the Stampede in 2012 and has consistently ranked as one of the best quarterbacks in indoor football. “EJ sets a very high standard for himself and he works very hard to achieve those goals. I look forward to his 2013 season with the Stampede and the goals he has set” commented Coach Nowotarski

 

EJ came to the Stampede with a wealth of indoor and arena experience, the Hamilton, New Jersey native is a Sacred Heart graduate. He led his Baltimore Mariner team to a perfect 16-0 record and captured the AIFA Bowl Championship in the 2010 season. Prior to taking the snaps at First Mariner Arena in Baltimore, he played for both the Alaska Wild and the San Angelo Stampede-Express of the Indoor Football League (IFL). In 2011 EJ took the up-start Trenton Steel to the SIFL conference playoff game before a season ending loss to the Columbus Lions. His talents then went to the AFL as he finished the season with the Utah Blaze and was also with the Soul for the start of this past season.  

 

A complete list of 2012 AIF All-Stars will be released in the near future.

Harrisburg Stampede’s Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski announced today that WR Colis Martin has re-signed with the Stampede for the 2013 Season.

 

Colis is a player with quickness and runs solid routes. The former CW Post Grad has been with the Stampede for 2 seasons. Last season was a break-out season of sorts for this crafty vet. Colis finished the season with 40 catches for 489 yards and 12 Touchdowns.

 

“Colis is a very unselfish and dedicated player. His own work schedule as a Fire Fighter and his travel time and distance to practice from New Jersey are extremely tough obstacles to over-come but somehow he makes it work. He is an outstanding team player and is one of those guys who gets along with everybody, on and off the field”, commented Nowotarski 

 

Just a Reminder: 2013 Stampede Box Seat Season Tickets go on sale this Friday the 3^rd of August and All games will now be played in the Large Farm Show Arena.

The Harrisburg Stampede Dance Coordinator Ginelle Ophelia has announced the hiring of an Asst. Dance Coach for her staff for the 2013 season.

 

Claire Wallace was introduced as the Assistant Dance Coach today in Harrisburg. Claire will assistant our dance team coordinator and help in the operations of the Harrisburg Starletz and Jr Starletz dance teams. Claire dedication and personality has made her an asset to the team in the previous season. We believe she will do a great job this season and look forward to the improvements her and the dance team coordinator have to offer.

 

Claire is so excited for this opportunity! She has been performing since she was able to walk! She began dancing when she was 5 years old. Her background ranges from gymnastics to theater; including pom line, baton twirling, tap, ballet, jazz, theater, and cheerleading.

 

Claire's first love was gymnastics. She continuously strives to maintain a gymnastic talent, and is always looking to throw some sort of gymnastic level into a routine.

 

She began cheerleading in 2nd grade and continued 10 years thereafter until graduating high school. She has performed on competition squads, and loves the excitement and energy that comes with cheering on a team or performing in front of an excited audience.

 

During her high school career, Claire performed with Blust Performing Arts Center where she was part of a company of dancers, singers, and actors. The Company competed in Star power competitions and also performed a rendition of Les Miserables. She was trained in all aspects of dance and theater. Her favorites still remain ballet and jazz.

 

Also, Claire danced and performed with a pom line and baton twirling team out of Lancaster, Pennsylvania; their routines were done for parades and competitions.

 

She is beyond excited to take her experience with the Harrisburg Stampede Starletz to the next level as the Assistant Dance Coach!

 

Just a Reminder: We will post our Schedule on our Web Site and Face Book as soon as it becomes Public, as well do not miss many of the Stampede Meet and Greets taking place this Off-Season.

Rookie head coach of the Concord Force Kent Merideth has faced many tough obstacles and adversity on and off the field in his first season. Through it all he still was able to lead his team to a playoff birth in their first year of inception. Coach Merideth lead his team to a 4-4 record and into the playoffs and despite their first round loss the first year head coach praised his team’s determination and fortitude. “We have a great group of guys and I’m proud to be their coach, anytime you can make the playoffs in any league it’s a great accomplishment.”

Before this season Coach Merideth played a decade of semi professional football both in the United States and overseas. Perhaps that experience is the reason why his players praise his ability to communicate. Captain and linebacker Ralph Scott who played for Coach Merideth for two years when he was an assistant coach and again this year as a head coach shared these thoughts with me, “Coach cares about you more as a man than a football player. He listens to you and knows how to get his point across on and off the field. Coach wants to hear concerns we have about football or life because that’s the kind of person he is. He knows there’s more to life than just football.”

In addition to being a player he also has three years of experience being an offensive coordinator so it’s safe to say that there’s really nothing he hasn’t seen. “I loved playing for Coach Merideth,” added wide receiver Julius Gregory. “He taught me a lot about being a rookie and how to break down defenses. He played a big part in my development this year and with him being both a former player and now a coach was very insightful.”

With an impressive resume Coach Meredith expects and demands his players performing at a high level and is high on the aspirations of his team, “My goal is to win a championship here, I take pride in making sure things get done the way the right way.”

Scott also added these comments about his personal relationship with his coach, “He’s taught be a lot of life and how to be a better man. I promised him that someday I would help him win a Championship so wherever he’s coaching that’s where I’ll be playing.”

Players who respect and like their coach simply play harder for them. It’s crystal clear to me Kent Merideth is more than a coach, he’s more like a father figure to the team that has become his family. Regardless of where he coaches or what organization he joins the character of Kent Merideth will leave a lasting impression.


Written by Euan McCreath

Harrisburg Stampede’s Head Coach, Bernie Nowotarski announced today that the Stampede has signed its first player for the 2013 Season. The Stampede has signed Veteran Kicker Erik “The Rouge” Rockhold for the 2013 Season.

As stated the Stampede has already started to re-load for the 2013 season. The first signing of the 2013 Stampede is a huge one, by signing one of the most prolific, steady and consistent Kickers that has played the Indoor game. Erik has spent the last 7 seasons with the now dark Reading Express. Four and half of those seasons were spent with Stampede Head Coach Nowotarski who was the Head Coach and GM with Reading until his mid-season release after winning the AIF 2009 National Championship. So the 2013 season will be a re-union of player and coach.  

Rockhold had a stellar college career kicking for National Power Appalachian State. His Indoor career started with Evansville for 1 season and then the last seven with Reading. Erik accomplished a Kickers milestone this season in his final game of the season with Reading by surpassing the 1000 point mark. Rock will be a big boost to our special teams. He is the consummate Team and Community player and will fit right in with the Stampede LaFamila way of doing things.

Just a Reminder: As we have League and Schedule information along with Ticket information we will be sure to release it as quickly as we get it. There are several Stampede Meet and Greet events scheduled for the Summer…Check out our web site for details

Harrisburg Stampede Owners Justin Coble and Marques Colston have completed the first major task for the 2013 season. That was getting their coaching staff in order and re-signed.

 

The Stampede has already announced the re-signing of Head Coach Bernie Nowotarski and Offensive Coordinator Rick Marsilio. Completing the coaching staff for the 2013 will see the return of Jake Minnich and Bentz Tozer.

 

Minnich will handle the Offensive Line and he will work side by side with OC Marsilio and the Wide Receivers. Tozer will coach the Defensive Line and take over the Special Teams responsibilities.

 

“This is a solid group of coaches, who just like the players believe in the system we are putting in here both on and off the field”, commented HC Nowotarski. “We wanted to get our coaching staff in order and we wanted this done as early as possible during the off-season. Marques and I are extremely happy with the returning group of coaches. They all get along and they all have the same goals and they believe in what we are trying to do here in Harrisburg,” remarked Stampede Owner Justin Coble.      

 

Just a Reminder: Stampede 2013 Season Ticket Information will be available very soon. There are several exciting and fun Stampede Summer events planned. Check out our team web site as well as our Facebook and Twitter pages.