STEEL OVER NIGHT IN BATTLE OF THE HAWKS

Defense the Difference in Win with Five Turnovers

Bethlehem, PA: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (4-4) are back at .500 on the season after defeating the Knoxville Nighthawks (2-7) 63-47, in the second of three rounds in the battle of the hawks. The Hawks from the Valley now hold a 2-0 series record.

The first half was a back and forth battle between the two teams. The offenses traded touchdowns for most of the half. On the Steelhawk side it was WR/FB Elliott White who got in from 4 yards out and wide receivers Tyrone Collins and Tom Gilson each picking up a touchdown reception from QB Hunter Wanket, who was starting in place of Adam Bednarik who missed the game for personal reasons. Then it was the Steelhawks defense that stepped up; first, creating a fumble that LB Terence Thomas recovered in the end zone, and then DB Stefaun Whitehead recording his first interception as a Steelhawk. The offense capitalized on both turnovers, and Lehigh Valley took a 31-22 lead as the half drew to a close.

The second half played out much like the first half. Each time the Steelhawks would score, the Nighthawks seemed to answer, keeping the game within reach for most of the half. It was again the Steelhawk defense that would create turnovers to give Lehigh Valley the ball back and stop the Nighthawks from countering. DB John Kennedy picked off Knoxville QB Ryan Porter in the third quarter, and the Steelhawks took advantage when Wanket found Collins for his second touchdown of the game on a 35 yard pass.

The teams would trade touchdowns again on consecutive possessions, with White scoring his third touchdown of the game out of the wildcat in the fourth quarter. White would later be named Buca Di Peppo and Countess Communications Player of the Game for his performance in tonight’s game. Lehigh Valley’s defense would come up big once more with under a minute remaining in the game. Forcing Knoxville to fumble into the end zone and recovering the ball, giving the Steelhawks the possession back with 33 seconds left in the game, sealing a 63-47 win.

By scoring 63 points, the Steelhawks have once again achieved the Domino’s 50 point Challenge. Fans can get 50% off any menu priced pizza for the next three days at participating Domino locations in the Lehigh Valley, just use the code SH50.

The Steelhawks will return back home to the Valley this week for their final two home games of the season May 18th and 25th. The game on the 18th is Non-Profit Awareness night and is also a night dedicated to the Race for Adam against the defending champion Albany Panthers. Game time for both games I 7 p.m. inside the Stabler Arena on the campus of Lehigh University.

The Steelhawks have been working hard, both on and off the field, filling their roster with a ton of talent and adding great partners to the Steelhawk family. The Steelhawks’ 2013 PIFL schedule is now available online and individual and season tickets are available. Get your season ticket flex plans now and you will get a FREE Steelhawk 9th Man jersey, and be entered to win a FREE vacation from Boscov’s Travel! 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 http://www.LVSteelhawks.com for the latest Steelhawks news!

Fans are reminded that 2013 season ticket flex plans are available. You can reserve your seats by calling the Steelhawks front office at 610-282-3100.

The Steelhawks are a PROFESSIONAL Arena Football team that plays in The Professional Indoor Football League. The PIFL (www.proifl.com) is a seven team league with franchises in six states. The league holds a 12-game regular season schedule that runs March through June. The PIFL’s playoffs culminate in late June with the PIFL Championship Cup. Season ticket packages start as low as $8 per game (or $48 for the full season) and games are an exciting event for people of the Lehigh Valley to attend on weekend nights.