Express hand Saints Loss

Erie,PA- The Erie Express move to 6-0 on the season with their 30-14 victory in Pittsburgh, PA versus the Saints. The Express mantra has always been "Next man up" and that was the case Saturday. Starting the game with only 18 players with a handful more to trickle in the during the first half, the "next man" had to become "THE man"....and they did.

The Saints won the toss and deferred to the second half. Erie received opening kickoff. They had their first of 5 fumbles on the first series. The Saints recovered but the Express defense held and forced a punt only to fumble it away giving the Saints great field position. The Saints drove down the field and scored the first touchdown of the day on a 1 yard run, the 2 point try was good and the Saints led 8-0 with 6:07 left in the first. Erie fumbled the ball again at the 4:58 mark to give the ball back to the Saints. Express QB Brandon Hanna found WR Corey McWilliams on a 22 yard pass then ran the 2 point try in to end the first quarter tied at 8.

Shannon Jackson found the end zone from 4 yards out, the 2 point try was no good and Erie led 14-8 13:07 2nd. DE Keyvon Silveus forced a Saints fumble and LB Mike Witherow pounced on it giving the ball back to Erie. Hanna ran it in from 3 yards out, Shannon Jackson added the 2 point try and Erie led 22-8, 9:33 2nd. The Express would again fumble the ball deep on their side of the field and the Saints capitalized on it scoring on a 1 yard run, 2 point try was no good making it 22-14 with 2:34 to play in the half. The score would remain the same to end the half.

Hanna scored on a 25 yard run at 3:27 of the third then found Koran Williams for the 2 point try for the final score of the game. The Saints had another opportunity to score but DB Davon Stovall intercepted a Saints pass in the end zone. The Express would also had opportunities to score but had two touchdowns called back due to penalties and then on the final possession fumbled going into the end zone.

Cam Sanders, Devonne Barnes, Ja'Von Provit and Jeff Biggie all recorded sacks. Sanders, Mike Witherow recorded fumbles and Davon Stovall an interception for the Express defense.

PLAYER ACCOLADES 

Congratulations to DB-Davon Stovall on being named Erie Bank Sports Park Special Teams player of the Week. In our 30-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Saints, Davon recorded 4 tackles, returned a kickoff for 7 yards, stopped a fake punt for a 12 yard loss and on defense recorded a touchdown saving interception in the end zone. GREAT JOB Davon!

Congratulations to QB-Brandon Hanna on being named Erie Bank Sports Park Offensive Player of the Week. In our 30-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Saints, Hanna recorded 267 yards of offense. Brandon was 16/24 passing for 184 yards a TD and a pair of two point conversions. 

On the ground Hanna rushed for 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Brandon and the Express offense out gained the Saints 470-247. GREAT JOB Brandon!

Congratulations to LB -Cam Sanders on being named Erie Bank Sports Park Defensive Player of the Week. In our 30-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Saints, Cam recorded a team high 12 tackles including a fumble caused and recovered on a strip sack. GREAT JOB Cam!

Congratulations to ATH-Koran Williams on being named Erie Bank Sports Park Breakout Performance of the Week. In our 30-14 victory over the Pittsburgh Saints, Koran recorded a season best 98 yards of offense (33 receiving, 45 rushing, 16 kick return) and scored on a two point conversion. GREAT JOB Koran! 

Saturday June 29th your Erie Express host the Cleveland Cobras in the 4th Annual Covato Classic. Admission is $10 at the gate. Gus Anderson Field. McDowell, HS 3580 W. 38th St. Erie, PA. Please join us this day to honor our brother Tyler. We hope to see you there. GO EXPRESS! #COVATO56