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Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

Game Preview: Steelhawks Travel to the High Country...

March 22, 2017 - National Arena League (NAL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release


Allentown, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks will be heading to Boone, North Carolina this weekend to take on the High Country Grizzlies in the first of three meetings between the two franchises. The first away game of the 'Hawks 2017 season is also the inaugural home game for the Grizzlies.

The Steelhawks (1-0) shook the rust off with their week one victory over the Dayton Wolfpack. The offense was efficient, only having one incomplete pass the entire game. They were led by QB Warren Smith Jr. who was a perfect seven of seven passing with four touchdowns in addition to a rushing score. WR Darius Prince led all receivers with three touchdowns on five catches, for a total of 85 yards. FB Wyreaz Bradley rumbled for 36 yards (7.2 ypc) and a touchdown.

The defense was able to keep the pressure up all game and will need to do so again this week against a more experienced offense. Rookies LB Joe Koonce and DB Eddie Davis III had standout performances. Koonce recorded 12 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and 1.5 sacks including one for a safety. Davis III picked off three passes and broke up another three.

The Grizzies (1-0) defeated the Georgia Firebirds in their week one opener. They have a veteran quarterback in Stephen Panasuk who threw for five touchdowns and 163 yards on 12 of 17 attempts. His favorite target so far is WR Daron Clark who had three catches, all for touchdowns, and 73 total yards. Panasuk played in the AFL last season with the Cleveland Gladiators and formerly faced Lehigh Valley in 2015 while playing for the Trenton Freedom.

High Country was efficient in the redzone with their run game. They scored four of five times they entered the red zone, three on rushes; FB Undra Hendrix accounting for two of those (21 total yards on six carries).

There are some familiar faces on the defensive side of the ball for High Country, in lineman Larry Ford and Brandon Sutton who both played in the Valley. Ford is the Steelhawks all-time leader in sacks after spending four years in the Black and Vegas Gold.

The Steelhawks are on the road the next two weeks before returning to play on Embassy Bank Field inside the PPL Center on Sunday, April 9th against the Columbus Lions.

2017 flex season ticket and individual game packages to watch the Steelhawks play inside the PPL Center are on sale now. Keep checking for the latest news and events from the Steelhawks. For further information please call Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Executive Vice President and General Manager Mike Clark at (610) 282-3100, or visit our website at www.LVSteelhawks.com for the latest Steelhawks news. Reserve your seat now by calling the Steelhawks office at 610-282-3100. The Steelhawks play all of their home games on Embassy Bank Field inside the PPL Center.

Stay up to date with the Steelhawks by visiting the team website at www.LVSteelhawks.com or following them on Facebook: Lehigh Valley Steelhawks.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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