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PIFL Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

Steelhawks Head to Erie to Open the 2015 PIFL Season

March 24, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release


Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Flight Plan
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Flight Plan
(Lehigh Valley Steelhawks)

Bethlehem, PA : The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (0-0) open their 2015 season PIFL season on the road for the fourth time in franchise history. First up is the Erie Explosion at the Erie Insurance Arena for the Explosion's first game as part of the Professional Indoor Football League. Founded in 2010, Erie was apart of the AIFA for their first season. Shortly after, Erie switched to the SIFL in 2011, the UIFL in 2012, and the CIFL from 2012-2014. The 2:00PM game on Sunday, March 29th will be the first of two meetings this season.

Returning at quarterback for the Steelhawks is Shane McSweeny, who will help lead the teams powerful offense coming off a 2014 National Conference Championship and birth in the PIFL Championship game. McSweeny finished the 2014 regular season with 692 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, while 66.3% of his passes. A new addition to the Steelhawks family- former Shippensburg University quarterback, Zach Zulli, will help McSweeny along the way.

Larry Ford, a third year Hawk who was named to the 2013 All-PIFL 2nd team, returns to the Nest to lead a much improved defensive unit. Notable additions to the unit include 2014 First Team All-PIFL defenders Amara Kamara (12.5 sacks-Harrisburg Stampede) and Gerard Bryant (11.5 sacks-Trenton). They look to get off to a fast start this weekend.

Erie comes into the game with two rookie quarterbacks, Jeff Sinclair and Mason Espinosa, who are both battling for that starting position. Sinclair from Robert Morris, and Espinosa from Ohio Wesleyan will have the benefit of throwing to veteran Wide Receivers Alfonso Hoggard and Greg Betterson.

Defensively the Explosions feature two stalwarts form their back to back CIFL Championship teams in Jon D'Angelo and Tim Green. The duo has helped allow their unit to be #1 in the CIFL two years in a row.

Head Coach Chris Thompson is excited to strap on the pads for meaningful games. "After our best training camp in franchise history we are chomping at the bit to put on the Black and Gold to begin our quest to get back to the PIFL Championship. Their Head Coach Shawn Liotta is someone I have a ton of respect for and I know he is going to put a tough team out there on Sunday. It should be a great kickoff to the season."

Following this weekend's game, the Steelhawks next contest will continue on the road at the Nashville Venom, April 3rd at 8:00 PM. The team will open at the PPL Center for the first time on April 12th, at 4:00 PM. The first 1,000 fans through the door will receive a FREE Steelhawks Five-Year t-shirt!

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!

Season ticket packages are currently on sale for the exciting Steelhawks action inside the PPL Cneter where the team will be playing on their new EMBASSY BANK FIELD. It's not too late to get your to every 2015 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks game. You can reserve your seats by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100. Individual game tickets for each home game are now available as well!




Images from this story

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in Action
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks in Action
 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Flight Plan
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Flight Plan
  



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from March 24, 2015


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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