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PIFL Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

Steelhawks Can't Match Hiss

July 14, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release


Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (7-7) fell to the Nashville Venom (12-2) 64-43 in the PIFL championship claimed the PIFL Cup. It was the first title for the expansion Nashville team. The Steelhawks battled the whole game but were unable to pull off another comeback win after giving up a lead early.

The Steelhawks struggled offensively in the first quarter. The defense conceded a touchdown to the Venom on their first possession; WR Mack Ogletree (1 td rushing, 1 td catch) would take the hand off and run it in from two yards out to put Nashville on the board. Lehigh Valley's offense couldn't get anything going on their first drive, resulting in a 53 yard field goal attempt that would be no good. Nashville would add to their lead after hitting their own 21 yard field goal, making the score 10-0. K Michael Barnard would get the Steelhawks first points of the game on a 44 yard field goal and then hit an uno to give Lehigh Valley four points. Nashville would answer with a 45 yard touchdown strike, QB Charles McCullum (17-28, 260 yds, 5 td passes, 1 td rushing) to WR Jordan Jolly (10 catches for 156 yds, 3 tds). The quarter would end with the Venom leading 17-4.

As the second quarter got under way, Nashville quickly added to their lead when McCullum would again find Jolly for another touchdown. Lehigh Valley's drive would result in a four yard touchdown pass from McSweeny (19-42, 3 td passes, 3 tds rushing) to WR Brandon Renford (7 catches for 73 yds, 2 tds). The Steelhawks defense would come up big when DB Stanley Dunbar (Six tackles, one INT) intercepted a Venom pass in the endzone to give the Steelhawks the ball back. But the team was unable to capitalize as they turned the ball over on downs their next possession giving the Venom the ball back on the LV 12 yard line. Again the defense would come up with a stop; Nashville would miss a 24 yard field goal to end their drive. McSweeny would cap the next drive with a powerful eight yard run into the endzone to make the score 24-17 in favor of the home team. The Venom combo of McCullum to Jolly would strike again before halftime to add to their lead.

The third quarter began with Nashville kicking off and K Christian Reed (3 unos) hitting another uno. Then it was the Steelhawks turn to attempt their comeback. McSweeny would find Renford for a 30 yard touchdown completion to cut the lead to nine. The defense would hold the Venom to a long field goal that Reed would drill but then would hit the kickoff out of bounds giving the Steelhawks great field possession. The Hawks would take advantage of it with a quarterback keeper from one yard out. The fake extra point attempt would fail but Lehigh Valley would get the point back on another Barnard uno (2 unos on the night); cutting the lead to five. The Venom quickly drove the length of the field and put another seven points up before the quarter ended.

The fourth quarter would begin with the Venom leading 43-31 but the Steelhawks had the ball. McSweeny would find Renford for a long completion and cap the drive with another rushing touchdown from short yardage. A blocked PAT would leave the lead at six. It was a lead that Nashville would not relinquish. McCullum would add his own rushing touchdown and then would find Jolly for another six points after Lehigh Valley turned the ball over on downs. The Hawks didn't give up and McSweeny would find WR Troy Pascley (5 catches for 60 yds, 1 td) in the endzone for the 37 yard completion with 3:05 left on the clock. It was Nashville ball, leading by 14. After a failed onside kick, the Steelhawks defense would keep them out of the endzone, forcing a turnover on downs; but only 55 seconds were left on the clock. Trying to force a big play, the Steelhawks would be intercepted; sealing the game for Nashville. Final score, Nashville: 64, Lehigh Valley: 43.

Thank you to the entire Steelhawks Nation for supporting us all season! Stay tuned to the Steelhawks facebook and website for some exciting announcements over the summer! The team is already looking forward to the 2015 season.

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! Tickets for the last regular season home game are available! Reserve your seat now by calling the Steelhawks office at 610-282-3100.



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from July 14, 2014


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