2012 Erie Explosion season

Last updated
2012 Erie Explosion season
OwnerBill Stafford
General managerShawn Liotta
Head coachShawn Liotta
Home field Louis J. Tullio Arena
809 French Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16501
Results
Record8–3
Conference place2nd
Playoff finishLost Northern Championship Game 40–62 (Commandos)

The 2012 Erie Explosion season was the sixth season for the indoor American football franchise, and their first as a member of the Northern Conference of the United Indoor Football League (UIFL).

Contents

On August 25, 2011, the Explosion left the Southern Indoor Football League (SIFL) and joined the United Indoor Football League. The change reunited Erie with Andrew Haines, who founded the city's previous indoor football team, the Erie Freeze. [1] (The Explosion's departure came two weeks before the SIFL broke up into the Lone Star Football League and the Professional Indoor Football League, neither of which included Pennsylvania in their territories.) Erie was tasked with replacing MVP quarterback DiMichele, who had signed with the Arena Football League's Philadelphia Soul. [2] The job fell on the shoulders of rookie Colton Hansen. [2] In the second game of the season, Hansen struggled in a loss to the Johnstown Generals, and he was replaced by A. J. McKenna. [3] McKenna lead the Explosion to 8–3 regular season record, just losing the top seed in the UIFL North during the last game of the season. [4] While still securing a home playoff game, the Tullio Arena had begun a 45 million dollar renovation, that forced the Explosion to find a new place to host the game. The Explosion announced that they would play at Erie Cathedral Prep's Dollinger Field. [5] The Explosion trailed going into the fourth quarter against the Marion Blue Racers, but McKenna ignited the Erie offense to 22 points in the final stanza to advance to the UIFL North Conference final. [6]

The Explosion faced the Cincinnati Commandos, who had only lost 2 games all season, one of which was to Erie. With the Commando quarterback Tyler Sheehan out with an injury, the Commandos used Kynes Mincy at quarterback, who provided a duel-threat option. Mincy lead the Commandos to 8 scores, defeating the Explosion 62–40 to advance to the Ultimate Bowl. [7]

Schedule

Key:   Win  Tie  Loss   Bye

Regular season

WeekDayDateOpponentResultsLocation
ScoreRecord
1FridayMarch 1 Western Pennsylvania Sting W 81–71–0 Louis J. Tullio Arena
2SundayMarch 11at Johnstown Generals L 37–391–1 Cambria County War Memorial Arena
3 BYE
4FridayMarch 23 Western Pennsylvania Sting W 88–342–1 Louis J. Tullio Arena
5MondayApril 1 Eastern Kentucky Drillers W 58–383–1 Louis J. Tullio Arena
6 BYE
7FridayApril 13 Johnstown Generals W 60–274–1 Louis J. Tullio Arena
8SundayApril 22 Cincinnati Commandos L 34–554–2 Louis J. Tullio Arena
9SundayApril 29 Johnstown Generals W 74–145–2 Louis J. Tullio Arena
10SundayMay 6Huntington WildcatzW 102–30 [8] 6–2 Louis J. Tullio Arena
11 BYE
12 BYE
13SaturdayMay 26at Cincinnati Commandos W 62–187–2 Cincinnati Gardens
14SaturdayJune 2at Johnstown Generals W 88–358–2 Cambria County War Memorial Arena
15SaturdayJune 9at Marion Blue Racers L 64–65 (OT)8–3 Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Postseason

RoundDayDateOpponentResultsLocation
ScoreRecord
Northern SemifinalsSaturdayJune 16 Marion Blue Racers W 56–47 [6] 1–0 Cathedral Preparatory School
Northern ChampionshipSaturdayJune 23at Cincinnati Commandos L 40–621–1 Cathedral Preparatory School

Standings

2012 United Indoor Football League
TeamConferenceOverall
WLPCTWLPCTPFPA
Northern Conference
Cincinnati Commandos-y72.77882.800594373
Erie Explosion-x73.70083.727748362
Marion Blue Racers-x54.55665.636602467
Johnstown Generals 36.33336.333264441
Western Pennsylvania Sting 06.00007.000132497
Southern Conference
Florida Tarpons-y1101.0001101.000687287
Eastern Kentucky Drillers 54.55664.600613361
Lakeland Raiders-x55.50065.545639379
Rome Rampage 16.14316.143100462
Mississippi Hound Dogs 19.10019.100281559

Roster

2012 Erie Explosion roster
Quarterbacks

Running backs

Wide receivers

Offensive linemen

Defensive linemen

Linebackers

Defensive backs

Kickers

Injured Reserve
  • currently vacant

Exempt List

Practice squad

  • currently vacant
  • rookies in italics
  • Roster updated February 19, 2013
  • 19 Active, 1 Inactive, 0 PS

Coaching staff

2012 Erie Explosion staff
Front office
  • Director of operations – Bill Stafford
  • Marketing – Sarah Lander
  • Director of sales – Shawn Struble

Head coach

  • Head coach – Shawn Liotta

Offensive coaches

  • Offensive coordinator – Shawn Liotta
  • Director of player personnel – Jeremy Liotta
 

Defensive coaches

  • Defensive coordinator – Kirk Rearick
  • Defensive backs – Sam Reynolds

Special teams coaches

  • Special teams coordinator – Ed Martin

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References

  1. ↑ "Erie Explosion joins new league". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. August 27, 2011. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  2. 1 2 John Dudley (March 1, 2012). "Erie Explosion count on new QB to lead way". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  3. ↑ Bob Jarzomski (April 1, 2012). "Debut dynamite for Erie Explosion QB McKenna". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Explosion stumble, lose top seed in playoffs". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. June 11, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  5. ↑ "Erie Explosion to play indoor football playoff game outdoors". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. June 12, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  6. 1 2 Bob Jarzomski (June 17, 2012). "Explosion erupt in 4th to top Blue Racers in UIFL playoff game". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  7. ↑ "Explosion fall in UIFL playoffs". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. June 24, 2012. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Erie Explosion score 102 point in rout". www.goerie.com. Cyberlink and Erie Times-News. May 7, 2012. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
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