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Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

Steelhawks Fight Freedom with Injury Depleted Lineup

May 25, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release


Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (4-3) traveled to Trenton (6-2) for the third part of the National Conference rivalry season with an injury depleted lineup. Missing seven starters, including four offensive players, they needed to pull together and get a team win. Lehigh Valley kept themselves in the game, but in the end couldn't contain Trenton, falling 55-42.

Missing from the offense was star QB Adam Bednarik (injury), and veteran receivers, Troy Pascley (injury) and Torieal Gibson (inactive). Athletic backup QB Shane McSweeny would get his first career indoor start. Understandably the offense took a few possessions to find its rhythm. The Steelhawks trailed 7-0 at the end of the first but Trenton would add seven to that lead on its first play in the 2nd quarter, FB Melik Brown (30 yds, 2tds)punching it in from one yard out.

McSweeny (16-19, 213 yds, 4 tds) and the offense would pick things up on the next possession. The Signal caller would show his athleticism on a flying touchdown leap to put Lehigh Valley on the board. Trenton completed their own touchdown drive but the Steelhawks answered right back. McSweeny found WR Brandon Renford (5 catches for 98 yds, 2 tds) for a 40 yard touchdown pass on the first play of the drive. K Michael Barnard would miss the PAT but would come through with the uno, bringing the Steelhawks to within seven. Lehigh Valley continued its momentum as the defense forced a four and out. But a LV fumble gave Trenton the ball with enough time on the clock to get in the endzone, extending the lead to 14.

The Steelhawks would lose another offensive starter in FB Jeff Link just before halftime to an ankle injury. But he wouldn't be missed on the first possession of the second half, as McSweeny found WR Richie Martin (9 catches for 92 yds, 2 tds) for the touchdown to cap off a 40 yard drive. The defense would get another stop of their own, forcing a long field goal attempt that would hit the ceiling to give the Steelhawks the ball back with good field position. The offense would capitalize when McSweeny found a diving Renford in the back of the endzone for their second touchdown connection, tying the game at 28.

The Freedom answered with another QB Warren Smith (21-30, 172 yds, 3 tds, 34 rush yds) touchdown pass, and they wouldn't look back. Trenton continued to build on their lead, at one point leading by twenty with 11 minutes remaining in the game.

Lehigh Valley would not give up. McSweeny completed his second 40 yard pass for a touchdown, this one to Martin, to make it a two possession game with just under ten minutes remaining. Needing a stop, the Steelhawks defense/special teams came through. DL Brandon Sutton would block a field goal and DB Dwayne Hollis returned it from his own endzone for the touchdown; cutting Trenton's lead to six. The Freedom would successfully use their rushing attack to kill the remaining time on the clock, Brown getting in for his second touchdown just before time expired.

With the win, Trenton extends their lead in the National Conference to a game and a half. The Steelhawks are in the middle of a five game road trip; they will be in Columbus, GA next weekend to take on the Lions. They return to the Lehigh Valley for their final home game, and their 2014 PIFL regular season finale, for a June 28th matchup with rival Richmond Raiders. It will also be Fan Appreciation Night.

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.

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