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PIFL Lehigh Valley Steelhawks

Steelhawks Survive Barnburner against Fire

June 15, 2014 - Professional Indoor Football League (PIFL)
Lehigh Valley Steelhawks News Release


Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (5-5) got back to .500, but needed overtime in Georgia to extinguish the Fire (3-7). Both teams were on extended losing streaks and needed a win to stay alive in the playoff hunt. It took overtime, but the Steelhawks got the win, 63-57 in the barnburner.

The Steelhawks seemed to be on the right track from the opening kickoff as K Michael Barnard (4 unos, 0-1 fgs, 3-6 pats) hit an uno giving Lehigh Valley the early lead. Georgia would not be kept off the board though; they completed their opening drive with a touchdown from QB Cecil Lester (20 for 40, 251 yds, 4 tds) to WR John Harris (10 catches for 123 yds, 2 tds). Lehigh Valley would answer with a wildcat play - QB Shane McSweeny, lined up as a fullback, took the direct snap and ran it into the endzone from one yard out; a missed extra point tied the score at seven.

Georgia would have possession for nearly eight minutes at the end the first quarter, but the Steelhawks defense held on the goal line, creating a turnover on downs after a fourth and one. Bednarik and the offense would take over and turn it into points for the Steelhawks early in the second quarter. WR Brandon Renford (6 catches for 37 yds, 3 tds) would be on the receiving end of a 22 yard pass into the endzone making a great one handed catch.

The Fire would revisit the Lester to Harris connection to tie the game at 13. They would take the lead when K Lindsey Wolfe (4 unos, 2-4 fgs, 5-6 pats) hit an uno of his own. Lehigh Valley would quickly answer on the first play of their drive. This time Bednarik found a streaking WR Chris Schubert (6 catches for 102 yds, 3 tds) for the 35 yard touchdown. The ensuing conversion attempt was no good but Barnard would hit his second uno, making the score 20-14, Steelhawks leading. Lehigh Valley would extend their lead with a DB Dwayne Hollis (4 tackles, 1 int, 2 pbus) interception returned 45 yards for a touchdown. A fake extra point attempt was converted for a successful two point conversion giving the Steelhawks a 14 point lead. Both teams would add a touchdown before the half, but the Steelhawks extra point was no good. Going into halftime, it was Lehigh Valley: 34, Georgia: 21.

Lehigh Valley would struggle in the third quarter, giving up two turnovers, the lead, and fifteen unanswered points before finally getting into the endzone with about six minutes left in the quarter. QB Shane McSweeny (6 for 9, 55 yds, 3 tds) entered the game and found a wide open Schubert on a 33 yard catch and run for his third touchdown of the game. The Steelhawks defense would hold the Fire to just a field goal on the next possession. The score at the end of the third quarter saw the Steelhawks lead being just one, 41-40.

The back and forth action would continue in the fourth quarter. Each team would add an offensive touchdown to start play. McSweeny and Renford would connect for the Steelhawks; Lester would hit WR Ronald Davis (5 catches for 71 yds, 2 tds). Georgia would get the ball back after a missed Lehigh Valley field goal. The Steelhawks defense would come up huge; DL Larry Ford recovered a fumble in the endzone for the touchdown. Georgia would turn the ball over on downs after a missed field goal with just a minute left to play and the Steelhawks leading by ten. But the Fire wasn't out of it yet. A pick six by DL Clinton Barley (4 tackles, 2.5 tfl, 1 int) cut the lead to three. On their ensuing possession, Lehigh Valley couldn't muster an attack and would give the ball back to Georgia with just ten seconds on the clock. That was enough time for Wolfe to hit a field goal and send the game to overtime.

PIFL overtime rules mimic those of the NCAA. Drives begin at midfield (on the 20 in the case of the shortened Georgia field) with both teams getting an opportunity to score in the sudden death period. The Steelhawks started on defense. Again the defense would hold, forcing a four and out for the Fire. It was then the Steelhawks turn. Any points on the board in their favor would win the game. Their drive would be extended when McSweeny rushed for the first down. On the very next play, McSweeny would find Renford over the middle for the touchdown giving the Steelhawks the victory!

A couple records were set on the night for the Steelhawks franchise - Hollis recorded his eighth interception of the year, breaking the single season interception record and tying him with the all time interception leader. DL Brandon Sutton only needed one sack to tie the single season sack record (7.5 sacks) held by fellow DL Larry Ford and he got it.

For the first time this season, the Steelhawks completed the Domino's 50 Point Challenge; Steelhawks fans can get 50% off regularly priced pizzas at participating Lehigh Valley Domino locations; use the code SH50 when ordering.

In another National Conference matchup, the Richmond Raiders beat the Harrisburg Stampede. Both Richmond and Lehigh Valley sit at 5-5 and tied for the second and final playoff spot in the conference with two games remaining. The Steelhawks will be on the road in Hershey for part three of the Keystone Classic versus the Harrisburg Stampede. The game is the last stop on the Steelhawks five game road trip and also their final away game in the PIFL regular season. The team will return to the Lehigh Valley for their final home. By record and tiebreakers, the matchup between the Steelhawks and Raiders will determine who gets the second playoff spot in the National Conference. The victor will face Trenton the following week for the National Conference Championship and the loser will complete their 2014 season. It will also be Fan Appreciation Night, 1,000 team photos will be given out to fans courtesy of Harmony Press.

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.



Professional Indoor Football League Stories from June 15, 2014


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