Express Steam Past Cobras

Erie,PA-For the third year in a row the Erie Express advance to the Conference Championship Game with today's 66-12 victory over the Cleveland Cobras (2017 PAFL Stars Conference, 2018 & 2019 GDFL Xtreme Conference)

The Cobras won the toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff. The Express defense held them on their first series. Erie got onto the scoreboard first when quarterback Brandon Hanna found WR Koran Williams on an 11 yard pass. Hanna to Terry Jackson for the 2pt try and Erie led 8-0, 8:59 of the first. Hanna would connect with WR Antonio Batista from 18yds out, the 2pt try was no good and Erie led 14-0, 5:47 of the first. Antonio Batista would recover a Cobras fumble on the kickoff and RB Bud Brown would score from 6yds out. Terry Jackson added the 2pt try to extend Erie's lead to 22-0 3:08. The score remained the same to end the first quarter.

The Cobras recovered an Erie fumble in the end zone for their first points of the day. The 2pt try was no good making the score 22-6 in favor of Erie, 10:22 2nd. Hanna would again find Batista this time from 9yds out, the 2pt try was no good and Erie led 28-6, 10:22 2nd. The Cobras managed to get to the Express 2yd line but the Express defense held on 4th and goal. Denzel Jones would later block a Cobra Punt which was recovered by Jeff Ranson to set up the final score of the half. Brandon Hanna found the end zone from 8yds out, the 2pt try was no good to take us to the half with Erie leading 34-6.

Erie received the second half kickoff and Hanna would again connect with Koran Williams this time from 47yds out, Hanna to Batista for the 2pt try to extend the lead to 42-6, 11:40 3rd. RB Brandon Akins would score from 7yds out with Terry Jackson adding the 2pt try on a run. Erie led 50-6 1:43 3rd. The third quarter would end with the score 50-6.

The Cobras scored again when Dee Lawson hauled in a 3yd pass, the 2pt try was no good making the score 50-12, 13:09 4th. QB Denzel Jones found the end zone from 50yds out with Terry Jackson adding the 2pt try on a run. Erie led 58-12, 6:46 4th. LB Rey Tirado would cause a Cobras fumble and LB Dale Norman would pounce on the ball to put Erie in great position. QB Terry Jackson scored the final touchdown of the game when he ran it in from 6yds out then would connect with Denzel Jones on the 2pt try to make the final Erie 66 Cleveland 12.

Glen Conner, Mark Richardson, Daryk Maki all recorded sacks. Dale Norman, Antonio Batista and Gage Arrington recovered fumbles and Marlon Tyree hauled in 3 interceptions. In the process Tyree set an Express record for most interceptions in a game.

Erie now awaits the result of the Tri City Outlaws and Middle Tennessee Bulldawgs winner. The game was postponed tonight due to lightning and flooding. At the time of the stoppage the Outlaws were leading the Bulldawgs 6-0 in the 2nd. The two teams have 72 hrs to finish the game.

The Xtreme Conference Championship will be played July 27th at Cathedral Prep Events Center. Admission will be $10 with children 12 and under FREE. The exact time will be posted later in the week.

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