08/31/2026
Your Bengals came up short but the road still continue.
We would like to thank everyone who supported us this season!! We shall not dwell on the past. Keep an eye as the season is still in play for us as we hope to get a bid to a bowl game.
We wish to thank the Beaver county Bengals on a great game last night. You all had an amazing season and we feel honored to have shared the field with you last night. The professionalism shown in the weeks leading up to the game on social media and in person were exactly what SHOULD be expected from championship caliber teams at this level. Our hats off to you. Hopefully this isn't the last time me meet.
Your Erie Express are the 2026 PAFL Champions after defeating the Beaver County Bengals 47-28 in the final game of the PAFL's existence (All-Star game pending). The game was played at Ellet, HS in Akron Ohio.
The Bengals won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. The Express received the ball first.
Erie got on the board first when Steve Smith found the end zone from 24 yards out. The 2pt try was no good and Erie led 6-0 with 10:50 to play in the first.
The Bengals would answer that score with one of their own. Their XP try was no good and the championship game was all tied up at 6 a piece with 4:39 to play in the first.
The first quarter would come to an end with the teams tied at 6.
Trevon Tate would give the Express the lead again on a 7 yard run with 14:55 to play in the half. Nasir Singleton would run in the 2pt try and Erie was up 14-6.
Tre Holloway would intercept a Bengals pass on their next possession and return it to the Bengals 25. Erie was unable to come away with any points on that drive.
Trevon Tate would again find the end zone, this time from 70 yards out, Nasir Singleton would add the 2pt try and Erie was up 20-6.
Ty Tate would recover a Bengals fumble and run it back for a 35 yard touchdown to score the final touchdown of the half. Nathan Lazan would add the extra point and Erie took a 27-6 lead into the half.
The Bengals received the second half kick and were moving the ball well. The Bengals were in scoring position when Osha Jackson intercepted a Bengals pass and returned it 102 yards (Express record surpassing Jeremy Burroughs 98 t**d return in 2017) for the first points of the second half. Lazan would again add the extra point and Erie took a commanding 34-6 lead with 10:50 to play in the 3rd.
At this point, most teams would have folded up shop. Not the Bengals. The Bengals fought back and found the end zone for the second time of the game from 23 yards out. The 2pt try was no good and the score was 34-12 with 10:03 of the 3rd.
Erie would answer that score when Smith would find pay dirt again from 35 yards out. The 2pt try was no good and Erie extended their lead to 40-12 with 2:08 to play in the 3rd.
The Bengals would answer that score with one of their own from 2 yards out. The 2pt pass was good and with :04 to play in the 3rd, the score was 40-20 Erie.
The Bengals caught Erie sleeping on the ensuing kickoff and recovered the onside kick. The Bengals had the momentum and cashed in from 5 yards out. The 2pt try was good and the game was 40-28 with 7:28 to play.
Trevon would score the final touchdown of the game from 16 yards. Lazan's kick was good giving us the final score of 47-28.
Cam Sanders, Tre Holloway, Ash Jones and Osha Jackson (TD) all recorded interceptions and Ty Tate a fumble recovery (TD). Jamarell Lomax and Khallid Pierce El each recorded sacks.
So far we have received an invite to a bowl game. Our players are checking their schedules to see if this lines up for us. We now await to see if we receive an invite to play in Florida for a National Championship in one of the series down there. We will keep you all posted as info comes in.
A special thank you to the Erie Sports Center for providing us with our indoor training facility. Our team is very unique in terms of schedules and locations. Add to it the wonderful weather we have in Erie in Jan, Feb, March....Without the support of the Erie Sports Center this season would NOT have been possible. So we share this with them!
Thank you to Jermaine Campbell Sr. for providing one of the top leagues in the country every year. The Premier Amateur Football League! Your leadership has been greatly appreciated and you will truly be missed.
To the teams that beat us along the way this season. Michigan Hurricanes, SteelCity Bobcats, Ohio Broncos and Beaver county Bengals, thank you. You learn in victory and defeat. So although the season was not perfect in terms of wins and losses, it was exactly what this team needed and we thank you as well.
Thank you to the Red Fox Inn for showcasing our games and your support all season. You all are amazing!
To ALL of our sponsors, fans and support groups. We THANK YOU so much as well.
To our gameday crew of Trainer Tee, Hydration Coordinator Tanya, Equipment Manager Andy Corey Alexander, Sponsorship Playmaker Niki Torrey, Director of Media Relations Dane Staaf, Community Outreach Director Damien Lane, Broadcaster Jared Heilman, PA Announcer Steven G Folmar, DJ -Ayedre Vegas and our chain crew director William.
Thank you as well to Cathedral Preparatory School for providing us with an amazing facility to host our opponents and to call home. Jimmy, Matt, Estes and their crews are the best and we appreciate you all so much.
Our refs put up with a lot of nonsense and we appreciate the tough skin and professionalism you all show week in and week out.
And last but certainly not least our amazing coaching staff of Mike McKinnon, Charles Portman, James Zigler, Terry Jackson,, Allen Jones and Corey King. You men are amazing, your commitment to excellence is unmatched and you lead by example.
If there is anyone we missed by name we apologize but please know you are all loved and appreciated so much.
Thank you again to all and for our guys...from this day on you will forever be.......A CHAMPION!!!! GO EXPRESS!
