EXPRESS BACK ON TRACK WITH WIN OVER UNITED

Erie,PA-The Erie Express looked to be the Express of old on Saturday with their commanding 44-13 victory over the Baltimore United. The United came into the game with high spirits after a 19-13 victory the previous week over the undefeated and Xtreme North Champion Columbus Fire.

Erie has five league losses this year by an average of 2.7 points per loss. Until Saturday they had found a way to lo considering they led in 4 of the 5 losses. Against the United the Express were full steam ahead and never looked back. 

The Express got on the board first when Joey Scarabino found Nasir Singleton on a 6 yard pass. The point after was no good and the Express led 6-0 at the 5:53 mark. The score would remain the same to end the first quarter. Scarabino would again connect with Singleton, this time on a 55 yard pass to open the second quarter. Eric Rockwood would add the extra point to give Erie a 13-0 lead.

The United answered back on a 6 yard run. The kick was good and we had a ball game with 2:31 remaining in the half. The half would end with the same score.

Express all time leading rusher Allen Jones got the second half scoring started at the 9:08 mark when he found the end zone from 6 yards out. Rockwood's kick was good and Erie led 20-7. The score would remain the same to end the third quarter.

With 14:12 remaining in the game, Scarabino scored from 3 yards out with Rockwood adding the point after to make it 27-7 Erie.

The United were not done fighting though as they put together a nice drive and found the endzone for the second and final time of the day from a yard out. The two point try was no good and the lead was cut to 27-13 with 7:21 left to play.

Scarabino would throw his third touchdown pass of the day to Steve Smith from 32 yards out. The two point try was no good to make the score 33-13 with 6:07 left to play.

The following drive Khallid Pierce El strip sacked the United quarterback and the ball was recovered by Eddie Tate giving Erie great field possession. Allen Jones would find the end zone for the second time from two yards out with Scarabino adding the two point run to move Erie's lead to 41-13 with 4:33 remaining.

The ensuing drive Javontae Broome intercepted yet another United pass to set up the final score of the game. Eric Rockwood connected on a 38 yard field goal to end the scoring.

Defensively the Express held the United to 95 total yards while racking up 408 of their own. On the defensive side the Express were led by Melquan Carson's 10 tackles, Antonio Batista hauled in a pair of interceptions and Khallid Pierce El added a pair of sacks. Offensively Joey Scarabino passed for 264 yards and 3 touchdowns while adding 47 yards on the ground, a TD and a 2pt conversion. Allen Jones and Nasir Singleton each recorded a pair of touchdowns as well.

This was the final regular season game for the Express. As they close out the regular season at 3-5 and will look to build on this win going into the 2024 season.

Baltimore United will play spoiler as they travel to DC to take on Capital City Seahawks who are clinging on the the final playoff spot! Win there in, lose you go home!