EXPRESS DEFEAT BOBCATS TO ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINALS

The Erie Express traveled to Pittsburgh, PA to face off against the Steel City Bobcats in round one of the 2026 PAFL Playoffs.

The two teams met earlier in the season with the Bobcats coming away with a convincing 34-7 victory at home over the Express. 

This time a trip to the Conference Finals was on the line. The two teams met in the conference finals in 2024 while members of the TPFL with Erie winning 7-0 at home.

Erie would score first when John Amon found Ryan Whitman from 35 yards out. the 2pt try was good and Erie was up 8-0 with 11:16 to play in the first. The first quarter would end with the score the same.

The Bobcats would score their first points on an 18 yard pass. The 2pt try was good and we were all tied up at 8-8. 

The Express would score again with :24 to play in the half when QB Marquelo Suel connected with WR Trevon Tate The 2pt try was no good and the Express took a 14-8 lead into halftime.

Steel City would strike first in the second half on a 1 yard run. The 2pt try was good and the Bobcats led 15-14.

Running back Rashad  Poindexter would score the final touchdown of the game to seal the victory for the Express. 

The Bobcats were on the move in the final drive of the game before Eddie Tate hauled in a Bobcat pass tipped by DL Devonne Barnes to seal the deal.

The defense played lights out holding the high powered Bobcat offense to just 29 yards rushing and 207 total yards. Eddie Tate and Osha Jackson each had an interception. DB Ashton Jones also recorded a fumble recovery. Khalid Pierce El recorded a team high 9 tackles including 3 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Erie advances to the Conference Finals to face off against the #1 seed Michigan Hurricanes in Detroit.