Erie Express have secured the XTREME EAST Division

by By Victor Fernandes

The Erie Express scored 35 second-half points in a 44-7 win against the Buffalo Spartans.

Erie Express quarterback Brandon Hanna apologized to his team after Saturday’s game for leaving the field late in the opening quarter.

Until then, his departure was a mystery to some. But Hanna’s strong play after his return was no surprise.

Hanna tossed two touchdown passes and ran for another in a 35-point explosion after halftime to lead the unbeaten Express to a 44-7 Gridiron Developmental Football League win against the Buffalo Spartans in front of 100 fans at Mercyhurst University’s Tullio Field.

Hanna said he was injured and frustrated as he headed off the field to tape his ailing ankle and collect his thoughts in a scoreless game.

“That was on me. I lost my cool in the moment,” said Hanna, who injured his ankle scrambling away from pass rushers on the team’s second series, which coupled with the team’s disappointing start to the game prompted him to “go clear my head and get taped.”

Wide receiver Maurice Williams, a former star quarterback at Strong Vincent High School, took Hanna’s place behind center. He responded with an 80-yard touchdown pass on his first play to Jansen Jones for the game’s first score.

“One man down, next man up,” Hanna said with a smile. (Read More)