Harrisburg Stampede Win First Game at Giant Center

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HERSHEY, PA – Justin Young of the Harrisburg Stampede runs out onto the field for pre-game introductions prior to the Stampede’s game Sunday night at Giant Center (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

Sunday night was a historic night at Giant Center as indoor football joined the long list of sports played at the arena. The Harrisburg Stampede of the PIFL took on the Columbus Lions in front of an estimated crowd of 3,500 fans. “The environment here is great,” said Stampede quarterback EJ Nemeth. “What better place can you ask to play indoors than the Giant Center? The fans were great, I think we had lot of new faces out here. I know the Hershey Bears organization have great fans and hopefully we got them interested in some indoor football today.”

HERSHEY, PA - The Harrisburg Stampede's 2013 AIF Champions banner is lowered from Giant Center's rafters (Kyle Mace / Sweetest Hockey on Earth)

The Harrisburg Stampede’s 2013 AIF Champions banner is lowered from Giant Center’s rafters

The Black and Blue came out on top 71-54 with Nemeth scoring a team record seven rushing touchdowns. “I was taking what they were giving me,” he remarked after the game. “I’m not the fastest guy, but I can get it done out there.”

For coach Bernie Nowotarski, he hope that the new fans fall in love with the sport. “I would love a crowd like this every game. I hope they were entertained. A lot of points, a lot of fun. Good to start with a win, for sure.”

The Giant Center rafters also lost a bit more space as the Stampede dropped their 2013 AIF Championship banner.

The Stampede return to Giant Center April 11th against Lehigh Valley.

Photos from the night. All photos by Kyle Mace:
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Head coach Bernie Nowotarski is introduced before the game

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This would be a good look for Jeff Taffe

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A Columbus player hops out of the crowd after a play

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Imagine if David Leggio spiked the puck after each save?

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Armar Watson prepares for a kick off

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Stampede owner and New Orleans Saints’ wide receiver Marques Colston walks out to greet youth football players during halftime

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Jerrel Jones signs an autograph for a young fan

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Jones looks into the camera as he stretches before the second half

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Jermaine Thaxton speaks to a fan before the second half

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Offensive coordinator Rick Marsilio gets insight from a young fan

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Fans go for a kick off that landed in the crowd

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A piece of the scoreboard falls off after being hit by a football

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Chris Schubert is run down by a Lion during the third quarter

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