Nighthawks Play Hard, Come up Short
Published on March 23, 2013 under Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Knoxville NightHawks News Release
The Nighthawks played their third straight road game of the young season Saturday evening, against the Richmond Raiders. Both teams were looking for their first win of the season. The Nighthawks ended up on the short end as Richmond won 41-23.
The Nighthawks struck first on a well planned 45 yard drive. Quarterback Randy Hippeard ran for a 3 yard touchdown that gave the Nighthawks a 7-0 lead with 8:30 left in the first half. The Raiders, on their first possession, scored on an 18 yard pass reception from Hakim Moore with 43 seconds left in the first quarter. That drive took eight minutes off the clock. The Nighthawks then fumbled the kickoff return and Richmond recovered. The score at the end of the first quarter was 7-7.
Early in the second quarter, Raiders quarterback Antwon Young ran for a two yard touchdown. That made the score 14-7 with 13:31 left in the half. On the Nighthawks next possession, Nighthawks quarterback Randy Hippeard found Deandre Brown for a 28 yard touchdown pass. Kicker Armondo Cuko made the extra point and added a Uno on the kickoff, to put the Nighthawks ahead 15-14 with 9:35 left in the half. Richmond then came back with another 18 yard touchdown pass to Hakim Moore. Richmond missed the extra point attempt and the Raiders were back in front 20-15 with 3:30 left in half. That's the way the half ended as Richmond led 20-15.
Nighthawks' kicker Armando Cuko started the third quarter with his second Uno of the game brining the Knoxville within four. The score was 20-16. Richmond then moved the ball down the field very slowly. Mike Jones finished the drive with a 2 yard touchdown and that made the score 26-16 with 7:07 left in the third quarter. On the Nighthawks next possession, they began moving the ball down field and got to the Richmond 7 yard line with an opportunity bring them within two points. However they came up just short on fourth and two. The score at the end of the 3rd quarter was 26-16.
In the fourth quarter, Richmond drove the ball down the field and finished it off with a 5 yard run by Mike Jones. Richmond was up 33-16. On the next possession for Knoxville, they went three and out, giving the ball back to Richmond. The Raiders scored on a 10 yard pass to Herb Jones and Stevens added the extra point and a Uno on the kickoff to make the score 41-16. Knoxville did not give up. They struck quickly on a 45 yard pass from Hippeard to Kelvin Jones breathing new life back into the Nighthawks bringing the score to 41-23. On the Raiders next possession, the Nighthawks' defense stood tall and blocked the field goal kick. The ball was placed on the Richmond 7 yard line giving the Nighthawks another opportunity with just over two minutes left in the game. However the Nighthawks were not able to score. The game ended 41-23 in favor of Richmond.
"We played hard. We went toe to toe. Our offense came up short. This team is talented and young. We look forward to our first home game next Saturday and we want to put on show for the people of Knoxville and east Tennessee. We hope the fans will come and support these guys. Indoor football is a fun and exciting game," said Coach DeMatteo.
The Nighthawks will play their first home game of the 2013 season against the Richmond Raider, Saturday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. March 30th is East Tennessee Appreciation Night. The first 500 fans get a souvenir cup courtesy of Hovis Orthopedic Clinic Single game tickets on sale.
Tickets can be purchased at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum Box office or by calling Knoxville tickets at 865-656-4444 or on line at www.knoxvilletickets.com.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 23, 2013
- Nighthawks Play Hard, Come up Short - Knoxville NightHawks
- Swashbucklers Lose to Lehigh Valley Steelhawks - Louisiana Swashbucklers
- Raiders Defeat Nighthawks, 41-23 - Richmond Raiders
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