PIFL Conference Matchups Set for Saturday
Published on June 29, 2014 under Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) News Release
NASHVILLE, TN (June 29, 2014) - With Lehigh Valley's thrilling win over Richmond, the Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL) Conference Finals are officially set for this Saturday with Lehigh Valley and Trenton duking it out for the National Conference while Columbus and Nashville will settle their differences for the American Conference.
In a win or go home scenario against Richmond, the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (6-6) captured their second consecutive playoff appearance rallying from thirteen points down to defeat the Raiders 51-41.
As the lone member to repeat from last season's post-season, Lehigh must now prepare for the National Conference Final this Saturday against Trenton.
Saturday will mark the fourth meeting this season between Trenton and Lehigh with home team being the victor in all three of the previous meetings. On May 24th, Trenton picked up the 55-42 victory behind a three-touchdown performance from QB Warren Smith. The Hawks we're missing seven starters and was the first of three starts for rookie QB Shane McSweeny who finished the May 24th contest completing 16 of 20 passes for 203 yards accumulating five total touchdowns.
The expansion Freedom enter their first playoffs on a season high two-game losing streak while the Hawks needed to win two of their final three and still have that nasty ending from last season's playoff appearance on their mind. With the three previous meetings combining to be settled by less than a touchdown, Saturday's National Conference Final can expect to come down to the wire.
The American Conference Final was set two weeks ago with Columbus and Nashville colliding for a third time. The expansion Venom arguably carry the most momentum of any of the four clubs in the 2014 playoffs having won seven straight en route to earning home-field advantage throughout. On Saturday without top QB Charles McCullum, Nashville earned the top overall seed defeating Trenton 64-48.
Meanwhile, behind the right arm of rookie QB Luke Halpin the Lions seemingly have ended their road woe's winning their second consecutive road contest in a 69-55 victory over Georgia. Dating back to last season, Columbus had dropped seven straight on the road but now bring momentum of their own having pushed the Venom to the limit in their last meeting back on June 14th .
The lead changed hands a combined ten times before the dust finally settled on the Nashville's Phillip Barnett's last second touchdown grab. In what also happened to be Halpin's first start, Columbus turned the ball over three times including two fumble recoveries by the Venom that were returned for touchdowns.
To follow all the individual game previews and find out who will advance to the 2014 PIFL Championship Game, stay tuned to www.proifl.com and to make your voice heard log on to the PIFL's Facebook page and engage with other fans from around the league.
Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 29, 2014
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