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Game Preview: Steelhawks and Grizzlies Square off for Round Three

May 30, 2017 - National Arena League (NAL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release


Allentown, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (7-1) face the High Country Grizzlies (3-5) for the third time this year. The Grizzlies are making their first trip up to the Valley to face the Steelhawks. In what is the final regular season home game for Lehigh Valley, the game will kickoff at 7:00pm on Saturday, June 3rd. The game is being brought to the fans by Capital Blue Cross and will feature the first 1,000 fans receiving a FREE Rally Towel.

After a narrow victory early in the season, the Steelhawks took round two more decisively, never trailing in the game. The Steelhawks clinched a NAL playoff berth when they defeated the Grizzlies in North Carolina two weeks ago.

The Steelhawks have been clicking both offensively and defensively the last four game weeks. The most efficient offense in the league is led by QB Warren Smith Jr. (66% completion, 1,638 yds, 45 tds) and WR Darius Prince (50 catches for 617 yds). Smith Jr. leads the league in passing yards and touchdowns; Prince's 16 receiving touchdowns are good for second in the league. After allowing six sacks in their first matchup, the Steelhawks offensive line of Shawn Lockett, Bret Piekarski, and Curtis Nealer didn't allow a single sack in round two of the season series and have only given up two sacks in the last three games.

On the flip side, the Steelhawks defense has tallied eleven sacks in the past three games - Tim Hume leads the team with six of those sacks. The secondary has been ball-hawking all season, recording at least one interception in each game - DB Rodney Hall Jr. (6 ints) had the lone pick the last time these teams met.

High Country has relied on a strong ground game this season. FB Undra Hendrix is the league's leading rusher (281 yds), averaging 35 yards per game and has 11 touchdowns; but the Steelhawks defense held him scoreless and allowed just 16 yards in their last game. They have a veteran quarterback under center in Stephen Panasuk (1,364 yds, 31 tds); whose favorite target has been Malachi Jones (54 catches for 546 yds) who has 14 touchdown receptions on the year; he had two touchdowns in the last game against the Steelhawks.

The Grizzlies defense is led by their defensive line - Brandon Sutton (7.5), Larry Ford (7), Adrian Blackburn (4.5) - who are all in the top ten for sacks.

It is always difficult to defeat a team three times in one season, and this will be no exception. The battle in the trenches will be key to gaining an edge. The Steelhawks need to stay focused and continue to do what has gotten them to this point as they prepare for the post season.

A win on Saturday night will give the Steelhawks their first ever HOME playoff game. After wrapping up the regular season in Georgia on June 10th, the 'Hawks would have a week off to prepare for the first round of playoffs. If the game is in fact in the Valley, it would be Friday night, June 23rd at 7:30pm on Embassy Bank Field inside the PPL Center.

Playoff tickets are on sale now. To reserve your seat for a possible home playoff game June 23rd fans are urged to call the Steelhawks office at 610-282-3100.

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.



National Arena League Stories from May 30, 2017


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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