Steelhawks Lose Battle in the Trenches

May 30, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release

Allentown, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (6-3,5-3 PIFL) fell at the hands of the Richmond Raiders (6-4), 35-28. As is the case with most games between these two teams, the game came down to the wire. But the Hawks were unable to complete a 4th and goal from the 20 yard line as time expired. While the defense held the top scoring team in the league to only 35 points, the offense could only muster 28 points on 15 of 41 passing.

The first quarter saw the most scoring action. Richmond struck early; on the first play of the game, QB Jonathan Bane (24 of 40, 276 yds, 4 tds) found WR Ron Davis (5 catches for 83 yds, 3 tds) on a 40 yard touchdown pass. Lehigh Valley answered on their next drive when QB Shane McSweeny (8 of 27, 102 yards, 2 tds, 45 yds rushing) found WR Darryl Thompson (2 catches for 29 yds, 1 td) crossing the field for his first touchdown catch on the season. The Raiders' WR Robert Holland (8 catches for 107 yds), the only other Raider to score a touchdown on the night, caught a 26 yard touchdown pass to put Richmond back up seven. The Hawks would create momentum at the end of the first, scoring nine unanswered points in the last six minutes. WR Brandon Renford (7 catches for 101 yds) would get his touchdown on the night off a 40 yard catch and run, making a couple defenders miss on his way to the endzone. K Pat Clarke would follow up a blocked PAT attempt with an uno, and then on the Raiders next possession, DL Larry Ford sacked Bane in the endzone for the safety.

Lehigh Valley would not be able to maintain any of the momentum in the second quarter however, as Richmond held them scoreless for the rest of the half. The Steelhawks only turnover of the game would happen deep in their own territory in this quarter. The Hawks defense would keep them in the game; only allowing eleven points- K T.C. Stevens connected on a 24 yard field goal and an uno, and Davis caught another touchdown. At halftime, the score stood at 24-15, Raiders lead.

The second half lacked much offensive action; the teams combined to score only nine points in the third quarter. Richmond would get a lone field goal, and it would take until the last play of the third quarter for the Steelhawks score themselves. WR Mack Ogletree (6 catches for 51 yds) scored from two yards out on a pass from new QB Zach Zulli (7 for 14, 79 yds, 1 td).

It took until midway through the fourth quarter for either team to put any points on the board. FB Paul Melicharek got his first carry of the game and he made count, running 12 yards for the his first touchdown of year and giving the Hawks their first lead since the end of the first quarter. Richmond would use just over three minutes off the clock on a six play, 40 yard drive that ended with another Davis touchdown. With 3:35 left on the clock, Lehigh Valley trailed by 7. The Steelhawks would need a touchdown to stay in the game. Stevens would hit the underside of the scoreboard on the kickoff, giving the Hawks good field position to start their final drive. Zulli would move the team all the way down to the two yard line, but two holding penalties would negate a potential touchdown catch and move them back to the 20 yard line. Lehigh Valley would have one last chance to try and score, but the pass attempt slipped through the hands of the receiver and fell incomplete. Final score: Lehigh Valley 25, Richmond 35.

The Steelhawks defense played solid, keeping the game close by creating five turnovers- forcing two fumbles and stopping Richmond on all three of their fourth down conversion attempts. The offense struggled, the o-line caved in and allowed pressure in the pocket multiple times, giving up four sacks for 29 yards, DL Brandon Sparrow recording three of those sacks. The Hawks need to rebound next week against Trenton to stay a contender in the playoff hunt.

The Steelhawks will play their final regular season home game against rival Trenton Freedom next Saturday, June 6th. It will be "Black Out Night" presented by StoudtPoole, PLLC and 1,000 Black rally towels will be given out. Kickoff will be at 7:00pm.

Tickets to individual Steelhawks games are now available, and now you can pick your exact seat when purchasing online! 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.

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Richmond Raiders	Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Richmond Raiders	Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Richmond Raiders
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Richmond Raiders

Professional Indoor Football League Stories from May 30, 2015

• Steelhawks Lose Battle in the Trenches - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

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