On Saturday July 10, the Baltimore Mariners of the American Indoor Football Association made history by defeating the Harrisburg Stampede 63-15, continuing their perfect season and securing home field advantage for AIFA Bowl IV. It marks the first time since the 1959 that a Baltimore football franchise will host a championship.
The Mariners began the Eastern Conference Championship without their starting linebacker Brian Bradford who was sidelined with an injury, but were able to still hold the Stampede to one touchdown per half.
The hard fought match between the two rivals was lopsided for the first time in two seasons. Going into Saturday’s match up, the average margin of victory was just six points or less.
Led by quarterback E.J. Nemeth, who threw five touchdown passes for 236 yards, the Mariners were up to put up 17 in the first and third quarters, 23 in the second and 6 in the fourth to defeat the 12-4 Stampede.
Baltimore also put forth a quite a defensive effort in this win, with five interceptions for 74 yards. The Mariners will host the AIFA Bowl on July 25th against the winner of the Wyoming Cavalry or the San Jose Wolves game.
Sure, the American Indoor Football Association isn’t the premiere indoor football league. But Baltimore’s team, the Mariners, are completely dominating the league with their perfect 8-0 record.
I have had the pleasure of covering the Mariners both home and on the road and I can tell you first hand that this is a special group of guys, a great organization with an even better coaching staff. They have had their mind on winning a championship and thus far, haven’t faltered against even their strongest opponents.
On Sunday, the Mariners defeated their rival, the Harrisburg Stampede, 50-17 in the First Mariner Arena. Quite a differential in score, but in week three Baltimore became the first team in AIFA history to shut out an opposing team, a game they won 59-0.
Led by the Quarterback E.J. Nemeth who scored three rushing touchdowns and tossed for three, the Mariners took a 2 1/2 game lead over the Stampede in the Eastern Conference.
The little team that could is finally receiving some big media attention. Earlier this week a few players and members of the franchise were on Stash’s show on 98 Rock during the week promoting their perfect team, Bruce Cunningham of Fox 45 said the Mariners were “making a mockery” of the AIFA They were also on WJZ on April 26th and the Ed Norris show on 105.7 The Fan last week.
Their players all actively involved in the community. Isiah Grier and Fearon Wright appeared on the Steve Wilkos Show as mentors for two troubled youth, Scorpio Brown and Fearon Wright made appearance at Dundalk Elementary last week and today the Mariners General Manager Greg Justice announced a partnership between the team and Maryland Youth Football.
It’s a great team, a great franchise, a great organization and they are off to great success in their first eight games. Stop by the First Mariner Arena and watch their Fast, Furious and Fun action and the quest for the ring this season.
On Saturday night the Baltimore Mariners went into Reading to face the defending champs, the Express. Baltimore walked away with their 6th straight win to remain undefeated this season.
Mariners linebacker, Brian Bradford responds to the win and a crazy play that resulted in a defensive touchdown.
After three straight home games and a bye week, the Baltimore Mariners hit the road to square off against the New Jersey Revolution. The game was a tale of two halves, as the Revolution kept the game within reach after 2 quarters of play, but were put to rest by the strong Mariners defense in the second half.
“We’ve definitely been spoiled,” running back Isiah Grier told me in response to Baltimore’s three straight home games followed by a bye week.
Quarterback E.J. Nemeth threw for a personal best seven touchdowns in the club’s 61 point effort.
Interviews with Nemeth and Grier will be up momentarily.
It may not have been as pretty as the previous three, but the Baltimore Mariners got the job done against the Richmond Raiders on Sunday evening at the 1st Mariner Arena.
After cruising through the Fayetteville Guard, Baltimore came up against a solid defense from Richmond that continually pressured quarterback E.J. Nemeth and defended Mariner wide receivers up and down the arena. “We’ll continue to fine tune our pass protection,” Head Coach Chris Simpson said. “Our receivers have got to be a little bit more physical in their routes, I think they got pushed around a little bit.”
The Mariners started strong, but Richmond hung tough during the first half. J.R. Cipra missed two field goals, one right before the half and the Raiders cut the lead to just three points, 27-24, when the teams ran into the locker room after the second quarter.
But the Mariners hung tough and found ways to score when the offense was limited by the Raiders D. After Richmond took the lead 31-30, Richard Johnson returned a missed field goal by Jared Brown for a touchdown giving Baltimore a 37-31 lead. Then J.R. Cipra hit the uno and the Mariners went up 7.
Brown tied the game at 38 points with 11:18 left when he caught a touchdown reception on the Mariners defense. But not even that stopped the Mariners.
After exchanging touchdown runs, E.J. Nemeth led his offense down field with nine minutes left to set up for J.R. Cipra’s 40 yard field goal that put Baltimore on top 48-45. Cipra hit the uno on the kickoff and put Baltimore up four points, eliminating the game tying field goal opportunity.
“Getting the uno, not only did it put us up, but it helped out our defense,” Cipra said. “That just fired us up.” Cipra finished the game with 19 points.
Richmond was able to march downfield and ended up on the goal line with a minute to go, but was unable to convert and turned the ball over on downs to the Mariners.
“It comes down to heart and character and who wants it most and fortunately our defense wanted it more than their offense,” Chris Simpson said.
Baltimore has a bye this week before hitting taking their first place record on the road the next three weeks.
Your bracket is busted and the Terps are out of the tournament, but don’t worry because the Baltimore Mariners are here to put a smile on your face. Today in Charm City, the Mariners advanced to 3-0 with the first shut out in AIFA history to the Fayetteville Guard 59-0.
The Guard, a playoff team in 2009 was held to just 69 yards of total offense, were sacked six times and surrendered the ball seven times.
“Overall this was our best effort of the season. Offense, defense and special teams all performed well,” Mariners head coach Chris Simpson said. “They were a good team; we came out and were ready to perform in all phases of the game.”
Armar Watson recorded a pick six for the second straight week and also had a kick return for a touchdown.
Offensively, running back Isiah Grier crossed hit the end zone four times; three rushing TDs and a reception in the end zone.
The Mariners sit in first place in the American Indoor Football Association. They host the second place Richmond Raiders next Sunday at the 1st Mariner Arena.
While out at the 1st Mariner Arena, not only was I able to catch up with WNST’s Nestor Aparicio, but I caught up with a Hall of Fame fan, the man seen in the infamous Baltimore Colts departure pictures, Sports Steve.
Here were Sports Steve’s thoughts on the indoor football rules, the game itself and Baltimore’s team.
After a win on the road in Harrisburg, the Baltimore Mariners hosted the New Jersey Revolution in their 2010 home opener on Sunday. Baltimore put a beating on the American Indoor Football Association’s newest team, scoring 51 of their 68 points in the first half.
The Mariners jumped out to an early 7-0 lead when quarterback E.J. Nemeth threw a 35 yard touchdown shot to wide receiver Scorpio Brown. Just moments later, Baltimore tacked on another 6 on defense when defensive back Armar Watson returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. We talked to Watson about the home opener and his AIFA record tying five interception night against New Jersey.
After putting together a 21 point first quarter, the Mariners commanded the second with 30 more points. E.J. Nemeth hit three Mariner receivers for TDs; Scorpio Brown, Jamal Stokes, and Aaron Yarbough, while running back Isiah Grier rushed for a 2 yard TD. Kicker J.R. Cipra also nailed two kick offs through the uprights, (1 point each according to AIFA rules).
Head Coach Chris Simpson decided to sit his starters for most the second half.
Baltimore went on to win 68-23. E.J. Nemeth finished the night 12 for 20 with 165 yards and five touchdowns. He also threw one pick. The Mariners’ defense stepped up with lots of pressure on the Revo’s line and quarterback. Fearon Wright totaled two sacks, two tackles for a loss, and a forced fumble.
“We made some necessary adjustments to our defense during the week, which gave us an advantage for this game,” Coach Simpson said.
The Mariners season continues on Sunday March 21st when they host the Fayetteville Guard at 4 PM at the 1st Mariner Arena.
AIFA Rushing Leader, Buchanan Award Finalist Sparked Baltimore Attack
BALTIMORE, MD (October 30, 2009) – Running Back Isaiah “Zeke” Grier, who led the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) in rushing in 2009 and helped capture the Baltimore Mariners first playoff berth in franchise history, has been re-signed by the 1st Mariner Arena based team.
“Isaiah is one of the top running backs in indoor football and he is one of the most well rounded in regard to running, catching and blocking. For a game whose rules are built to emphasize the pass, Zeke brings the element of a balanced attack similar to the outdoor game. I love to see him run the ball,” said Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.
Experienced Staff Kicks-Off Busy Off-season for 1st Mariner Arena Football Team
BALTIMORE, MD (October 21, 2009) – The Baltimore Mariners have named Elizabeth Guaraldo (Director of Baltimore Mariners Cheerleading), Jim Hopkins (Director of Game Day Operations), and John Wolfe (Public Relations Director) to front office positions for the American Indoor Football Association (AIFA) team.
“As a former arena player at every level, the one thing I know for sure is that nothing happens without the Public Relations Department, Game Day Coordinator, and the Cheerleading and/or Dance teams on your side. Although fans come to watch a football game, there is so much that goes into game day throughout the entire year to create a wonderful game day experience on and off the field,” said Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
All-American at Woodlawn, All-ACC at Maryland, Burley with ‘Skins in 2009
BALTIMORE, MD (October 19, 2009) – The Baltimore Mariners continued their run of signings of players with National Football League (NFL) experience by signing Scott Burley, who was recently released by the Washington Redskins. The 6’5”, 335 pound offensive tackle was also an All-American performer at Woodlawn High School and an All-ACC selection for the Maryland Terps.
“Burley is someone we had on our radar for a while. With Offensive Coordinator Mike Moyseenko, who played and coached at Maryland, we always keep an eye on the available talent at College Park. Like current Mariner Henry Scott, Burley is another quality athlete on and off the field from the University of Maryland. Burley brings that 6’5″ 325+ frame with speed and strength that will make an opposing defensive line know they are in for a long day before the first snap is even in play,” said Mariners General Manager Greg Justice.
Burley first gained notice at Baltimore’s Woodlawn High School. A four-year starter at offensive tackle, he also saw time at defensive tackle as a junior and senior. A towering presence, Burley recorded 45 pancake blocks his senior season and allowed only one sack his last two seasons. He also added six sacks as a senior in limited duty at defensive tackle. He finished his prep career as a SuperPrep All-American and the third-rated player overall in the Mid-Atlantic region and was named All-State by the Associated Press and the Maryland High School Football Coaches Association.
Towson All-American Bradford Made Big Impact in Short 2009 Stint with Baltimore
BALTIMORE, MD (September 29, 2009) –Brian Bradford, who was named to three first team All-American teams as a senior for Towson University and was an All-State performer at Gaithersburg (Maryland) High School, has agreed to return to the Baltimore Mariners in 2010.
“Brian did an outstanding job at linebacker last season. He is also a very versatile player and has the ability and intellect to play on both sides of the ball. Brian is the type of athlete that you find ways to keep him on the field the entire game,” noted Baltimore Mariners Head Coach Chris Simpson.
As a senior at Gaithersburg, Bradford received All-County, All-Metro, and All-State honors and was named the Washington D.C. Area Defensive Player of the Year. In 2000 he was a member of Trojans state championship team and helped lead the squad to regional titles in 2001 and 2002. As a senior he notched 110 tackles and had 35 tackles for a loss.
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