Steelhawks Soar in Home Opener

April 13, 2015 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release

Allentown, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (2-1) had a great crowd for their first ever game inside the PPL Center on Embassy Bank Field, and rewarded them with record breaking performances. The Hawks took down the Marion Blue Racers (2-2) of the X-League with an 85-35 victory in the inter-league.

The Blue Racers kept the game close through the first half, only trailing by two at the intermission. In the first quarter, each team had long drives resulting in a touchdown. Marion struck first when QB Les Obie (14 of 23, 154 yds, 3 tds, 4 ints) found WR Lynell Suggs (5 catches for 74 yds, 3 tds) in the endzone. Lehigh Valley would answer back when QB Shane McSweeny (13 of 20, 139 yds, 4 tds) connected with WR Jerell Jones (7 catches for 85 yds, 2 tds) for a 10 yard scoring catch. A successful extra point by K Pat Clarke would give the Steelhawks the lead at the end of the first.

Suggs and Jones would each add another receiving touchdown for their respective teams. WR Bryceson Lawrence (9 catches for 91 yds, 1 td) would tally six points for the visitors while WR Mack Ogletree (5 catches for 59 yds, 1 td) picked up the score for the Hawks. The difference in the quarter again coming off the point after attempts.

Fans inside the PPL Center were treated to an action packed halftime show; over 125 Mini Metals danced with the professional Precious Metals dance team at halftime, a special highlight video and fireworks show was put together by Celebration Fireworks, and to cap it off, the Bucket Drummers put together another entertaining performance.

The third quarter of football action kicked off with a Clarke uno. The rest of the quarter was dominated by the Steelhawks, specifically their defense. DB Jesse Cooper (3 ints, 5 tackles, 2 pbu's) would pick up a loose ball and return it 16 yards to paydirt. Marion's next possession would end with Steelhawks DB Joe Powell (7.5 tackles, 1 int) pick six to put the Steelhawks ahead by18. After two more Hawk touchdowns; one a 15 yard scamper by McSweeny, the other a completion to WR Brandon Renford (5 catches for 78 yds, 2 tds) wide open in the endzone. After the Blue Racers finally got on the board in the third, new Hawk QB Zach Zulli (4 for 5, 4 total tds) would throw a 36 yard strike to Renford on his first attempt from under center. By the end of the third quarter, the Steelhawks had already completed the Domino's 50 Point Challenge allowing fans to get 50% off menu priced pizzas for three days starting the day after the game at all participating Lehigh Valley Domino's locations; just use the code SH50.

Lehigh Valley continued to dominate the final quarter. Allowing only 14 points and putting up 29 points themselves. On the way to an 85 to 38 final score, two Steelhawks defensive records were broken or tied. DL Larry Ford recorded his 11th career sack to break the all-time Steelhawks record. Cooper also tied the all-time interceptions mark with 10.

Next Saturday the Steelhawks will be back inside the PPL Center on Embassy Bank Field when they take on the Erie Explosion in a rematch of each team's season openers, and the second round of the PA Classic. Kickoff will be at 7:00pm on Saturday, April 18th. The game is presented by ESSA Bank & Trust and it is "Friends and Family Night." First 1,000 fans in the door will get a Water Bottle courtesy of ESSA Bank & Trust.

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.

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Marion Blue Racers

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Marion Blue Racers

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs. Marion Blue Racers

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Professional Indoor Football League Stories from April 13, 2015

• Steelhawks Soar in Home Opener - Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

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