EXPRESS WEATHER STORMY SEAS VERSUS BUCCANEERS

by GDFL MEDIA

Erie, PA: Both the Erie Express and Pittsburgh Buccaneers came into the game with perfect 2-0 records. The two teams battled both the weather as well as each other in the first half. Pouring rain and winds made it very difficult for both teams to move the ball in the first half. Erie was without 2019 GDFL Player of the Year and starting quarterback Brandon Hanna due to a coaching obligation. Starting All-Pro wide receiver Corey McWilliams took over that role for the game.

The Express would score the only points of the first half when McWilliams hit Antonio Batista on a 37 yard pass, the 2pt try was no good and Erie led 6-0 going into the half. Erie was able to ground out 92 yards of offense in the first half while holding the Buccaneers to -13.

The Buccaneers would score their only touchdown of the game at the 2:54 mark of the third quarter. With Erie punting from their own 23 yard line the Buccaneers would block the punt and run it in for the touchdown, Bryon Clifford ran in the two point try and the Buccaneers took the lead 8-6.

The score would remain the same until 11:34 of the fourth when McWilliams ran it in from the 2. The 2pt try was no good and Erie was up for good 12-8.

Defensive back Ashton Jones intercepted a Clifford pass and returned it 37yards for a touchdown. Bud Brown would add the two point try to give Erie a 20-8 lead with 10:05 remaining in the game.

The final score of the game came with 4:44 remaining when McWilliams again found Batista. The two point try was no good.

On the ensuing kickoff a Buccaneers player suffered a serious leg injury. Due to the severity of the injury the game was called with 4:37 remaining in the contest.

The Buccaneers came into the game with one of he top offenses in the league. Buccaneers quarterback Bryon Clifford was averaging 463 yards per game but Erie's defense has yet to give up a score this season and proved to be too much for the Buccaneers offense holding Clifford to 6 of 17 passing for 32 yards. Erie recorded 2 interceptions from Ashton Jones and O'Sha Jackson and sacked the Buc's QB 5 times. For the game Erie finished with 236 yards of offense to the Buccaneers -24. The Express were led by McWilliams who went 8 of 20 for 162 yards, 2 touchdowns and an INT. Donte Harden led the ground game with 72 yards.

Erie Will be in action this weekend in Pittsburgh, PA as they travel to take on the Saints. The Buccaneers will be facing the Lake Erie Explosion.