HARRISBURG, Pa. — Professional football is returning to Harrisburg with American Indoor Football (AIF) set to relaunch and kick off its 2024 season this weekend.
After 10 long years, the Harrisburg Stampede is back with its season opener against the Cedar Rapids River Kings on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex.
"We’re just chomping off the bit," said Caleb Walton, the quarterback for the Harrisburg Stampede. "We can’t wait to get out there and show everyone what we’re about."
The team is returning under the helm of some familiar faces. Justin Coble, a central Pennsylvania resident who owned the team in 2012 before selling his ownership share to then co-owner and former NFL player Marques Colston, is back as team owner.
He was contacted by AIF officials in August 2023 about the potential of bringing back the Stampede for the relaunch of the league, after it ceased operations in 2016. After weeks of consideration, Coble decided to bring the team back.
For him, it was hard to deny the excitement about the opportunity to complete unfinished business.
"I mean your heart jumps. You get that kid feeling again," said Coble. "I’ve always felt for 10 years I never got to finish what I started. I only owned it one year, so I never got to carry out my vision."
It's a vision that includes more than just winning games on Saturday. Coble hopes the Stampede can become a pivotal pillar once again in the Harrisburg and Central Pennsylvania community.
"That’s my ultimate goal is to be successful off the field. We win if we make a difference in our community," said Coble. "I want a community-based team. The community is absolutely the essential part, it’s the glue that makes the team work."
A picture sits in Coble’s office to this day when the Stampede partnered with Easter Seals Central PA to hold a football camp for kids with disabilities.
It’s a picture taken more than 10 years ago that made creating partnerships with local organizations a top priority. The "new" Harrisburg Stampede franchise has already partnered with the Bethesda Mission, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, YMCA Youth and Government, and- of course- Easter Seals.
"I tell everybody the icing on the cake is the football and all the ingredients are hard work and getting into the community and trying to make a difference," said Coble.
It's the community-based mission that is believed in by the organization from top to bottom.
"Football is fun and Saturday night is a great thing but we do a lot more than just play football," said Harrisburg Stampede head coach Bernie Nowotarski, another familiar face who coached the Stampede from 2011 to 2014. "We want them involved in the community here and not just as a football player."
The Harrisburg roster is filled with local ties, making it all that more important for the franchise to give back to a community that has given so much to them.
"I’m from the community, my coaches are from the community, a good percentage of the team is from the community," said Coble. "We’re not trying to leave Harrisburg; we are trying to make a difference in Harrisburg."
The roster locals include Joseph Panuccio, the Harrisburg Stampede kicker who played soccer at Mechanicsburg Area Senior High School.
"Being from Mechanicsburg and Harrisburg is a big deal for me and I care a lot about my hometown and where I’m from," said Panuccio. "So to be able to represent them and be able to motivate the youth moving forward to achieve their dreams and go for their goals, I think is big for me."
Walton, the team's starting quarterback, is a Manheim Central High School teacher and football coach. He is looking forward to showing what he preaches to his students and players back in his hometown on the field, suited up on Saturdays.
"That’s what makes this game so special being a part of something that’s bigger than yourself," said Walton. "I’m so lucky and fortunate to be back playing in the 717, it’s different here. Growing up in Manheim, playing football in Manheim, we’re cut from a different cloth and I am excited to go out there and not only show my capabilities but this team has a lot to prove."
Rick Marsilio is making his second appearance as the Harrisburg Stampede offensive coordinator and has kids who went to Bishop McDevitt High School, one of whom went on to play NCAA D1 football.
He understands the impact professional football can have on this community.
"Everything that we do is based on bringing excitement back to Harrisburg, providing an opportunity to bring professional sports back, bring football, the number one sport back," said Marsilio. "Now they have a professional team here and our guys are out in the community every day where they can be role models for these kids and these kids can come out here anytime and see what it’s like at a professional level."
Hopes of making an impact all while living up to the Harrisburg Stampede name established a decade ago when they won the AIF Championship Bowl in 2013.
"Hopefully in 12 weeks we have 45 partners that felt like they helped contribute to this winning season and we have thousands of fans that saw us play and are like, ‘I got to be a part of that.’ And we have all the staff and players who are like, ‘I was a part of this and it’s more than me.’ It’s a huge effort, it’s a team effort," said Coble.
"My message to the Stampede, you bring the passion, we’ll bring the pain," said Issa Diarra, a linebacker for the Harrisburg Stampede. "We’re here to bring you another championship and that was the trend of the era. They were always winning championships and we’re here to bring another one back to the city."
Leaving their fans with one final message ahead of Saturday’s season opener.
"Horns up!"