Steelhawks Hold off Lion's Roar
May 3, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Columbus Lions
(Lehigh Valley Steelhawks)
Allentown, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (5-1, 4-1 PIFL) now sit atop the PIFL leader board after holding off a potent Columbus Lion's (4-2) attack. The Hawks needed another defensive stop late in the game to clinch the victory, 46-43.
The first quarter flew by, with each team getting in for one touchdown. Lehigh Valley struck first when QB Shane McSweeny (15 for 30, 153 yds, 4 tds) found WR Brandon Renford (5 catches for 60 yds, 2 tds) for a 22 yard touchdown pass. Columbus would answer back on their next possession when QB Casey Kacz (28 for 40, 5 tds) connected for the first of his five touchdown passes, this one to WR John Harris.
The points started flying in the second quarter as the teams would combine for five touchdowns and a total of 35 points. Columbus would score with 14 unanswered points to start the quarter. On the first scoring series, Kacz would complete a short two yard pass to his favorite target on the night, WR Jarmon Fortson (12 catches for 99 yds, 2 tds), he ran it in himself from a yard out. The Steelhawks would fight back and go on a run of their own. McSweeny would run it in for the first of his two rushing touchdowns to start things off. Then DB Jesse Cooper (6.5 tackles, 1 int, 1 pbu) would electrify the crowd as he came up with a huge interception that he returned 50 yards for the touchdown to tie score at 21. Columbus would add another touchdown with 54 seconds left before halftime on a jump ball to WR Terrance Ebagua (8 catches for 104 yds, 2 tds); capping a five play 40 yard drive. At the half, the Steelhawks trailed by seven.
The Steelhawks defense would kick things off in the third quarter, recording their third interception on the night and the 19th of the season. DB Joe Powell (6.5 tackles, 1 int, 1 pbu) came up with this pick in the endzone and returned it 32 yards. The offense would capitalize as McSweeny would find WR Jerell Jones (5 catches for 49 yds, 1 td) for an eleven yard score. After another Kacz-Fortson Lion touchdown, WR Mack Ogletree (4 catches, 36 yds, 1 td) would be on the receiving end of a McSweeny scoring pass. At the end of the third quarter, Lehigh Valley had battled back and trailed by only one point.
The fourth quarter was tense as both teams battled. Columbus would miss a field goal on their first possession in the fourth. The Hawks would get in on another quarterback keeper after driving 40 yards on nine plays. The Lions' Ebagua got his second touchdown catch of the game with 4:28 left on the clock to put Columbus up three. Lehigh Valley would regain the lead with 1:04 left on the clock as McSweeny and Renford would connect for another touchdown, this one from 12 yards out. The Lions would have the ball back for a potential game winning drive. They picked up two first downs crossing into Steelhawks territory. But on a second and ten play, DL Gerard Bryant (5 tackles, 2 tfl, 1 sack) would get through the o-line and come up with a huge sack resulting in a fourth and 18 from the 25. Columbus' game tying 41 yard field goal attempt sailed wide right giving Lehigh Valley the ball with 10 seconds left on the clock. One McSweeny rush later and the horn sounded on the game, giving the Steelhawks the narrow 46-43 victory, and their fourth straight win.
The defense has extended their turnover margin on the season to +22, after today's three interceptions that were returned for a total of 101 yards, and one touchdown (Cooper). The d-line picked up another three sacks, bringing their season total to 24. As a whole defensively, the Hawks held a team that averages almost 60 points per game to only 43. Offensively, the Hawks now have a league best 15 rushing touchdowns, more than double all the other teams other than Trenton.
The Steelhawks are on the road in Columbus for their next game. They will be back on Embassy Bank field inside the PPL Center for a Sunday afternoon game, May 17th at 3:00pm to take on the Alabama Hammers. The game is presented by Embassy Bank and is "Salute to Heroes Night." The first 1,500 fans in the door will get a free sport bottle.
Tickets to individual Steelhawks games are now available, and now you can pick your exact seat when purchasing online! And season tickets are still available. We hope to everyone inside the PPL Center this season for the Steelhawks 5th 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! 2015 Season Ticket packages are now on sale! Reserve your seat now by calling the Steelhawks office at 610-282-3100.
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 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Columbus Lions |
 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Score vs. Columbus Lions |
 Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Columbus Lions |
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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 3, 2015
- Richmond Raiders Earn Season Sweep over Hammers - Richmond Raiders
- Steelhawks Hold off Lion's Roar - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks
- Lions Dethroned By Hawks, Fall Out Of First Place - Columbus Lions
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