Post by 50yardfan on Jun 13, 2011 11:16:41 GMT -5
Bethlehem, PA: The Steelhawks only traveled to Wisconsin with 19 players versus the 21 the league allows due to injuries that have mounted since Day One of training camp back in February. However, the walking wounded once again fought until the final play of the game and have shown the promise that makes the whole organization already excited to build and develop for the 2012 season. After taking a 22-21 lead with 90 seconds left in the game, a late kick return for a touchdown allowed the La Crosse Spartans to upend the Steelhawks 27-22 to close out their inaugural 2011 season.
The game was a defensive battle from start to finish as the Steelhawks were only able to muster three Paul Stoltz Field Goals in the first half while only allowing 18 Spartan points themselves.
The second half saw the Steelhawks make a valiant comeback. While down 21-9, league standout Isaiah Grier found the endzone for the fifteenth time this season on a sweep to the right side from five yards out to narrow the score at 21-16. Then with the game dwindling under two minutes and the Spartans driving down the field looking to put the game out of reach, Steelhawks newcomer Rodney Etienne intercepted a Phillip Ditto pass at the Steelhawks three yard line and returned it 47 yards for a score with under 90 seconds left. An unsuccessful two point conversion had Lehigh Valley up 22-21. But, the ensuing kickoff was returned the length of the field by Spartans star Running Back Laron Council to give La Crosse a 27-22 lead. With 1:16 left in the game the Steelhawks drove to within the Spartans 15 yard line, but their comeback efforts fell short on a series of incomplete passes.
The loss ended the Steelhawks inaugural 2011 season at 4-10. The team now has a full off-season of work to do as they prepare for 2012.
"It was a disappointing year by what our record dictates on the field, no doubt," stated Head Coach Rich Britt. "But we won a lot off the field this season and are truly proud of that. Since day one we wanted to engrain ourselves in the Lehigh Valley community, to give back, and to provide fans with a great form of entertainment. I think we succeeded on a lot of those fronts. I am proud of our guys for never giving up despite all the adversity of injuries, and losing close games. We have a lot of work to do in the off-season, but I know our players, front office staff, and ownership group have already begun the plans for next year. We'll do our evaluations and make sure we put the best product on the field in 2012. I'd just like to give a huge thank you to the entire Lehigh Valley Community, and the great fans that supported us all season. We already can't wait until February."
Season ticket packages for next season go on sale July 1st starting as low as $8 per game, so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team's front office at 610-282-3100. Don't miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football for 2012! For further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.
The game was a defensive battle from start to finish as the Steelhawks were only able to muster three Paul Stoltz Field Goals in the first half while only allowing 18 Spartan points themselves.
The second half saw the Steelhawks make a valiant comeback. While down 21-9, league standout Isaiah Grier found the endzone for the fifteenth time this season on a sweep to the right side from five yards out to narrow the score at 21-16. Then with the game dwindling under two minutes and the Spartans driving down the field looking to put the game out of reach, Steelhawks newcomer Rodney Etienne intercepted a Phillip Ditto pass at the Steelhawks three yard line and returned it 47 yards for a score with under 90 seconds left. An unsuccessful two point conversion had Lehigh Valley up 22-21. But, the ensuing kickoff was returned the length of the field by Spartans star Running Back Laron Council to give La Crosse a 27-22 lead. With 1:16 left in the game the Steelhawks drove to within the Spartans 15 yard line, but their comeback efforts fell short on a series of incomplete passes.
The loss ended the Steelhawks inaugural 2011 season at 4-10. The team now has a full off-season of work to do as they prepare for 2012.
"It was a disappointing year by what our record dictates on the field, no doubt," stated Head Coach Rich Britt. "But we won a lot off the field this season and are truly proud of that. Since day one we wanted to engrain ourselves in the Lehigh Valley community, to give back, and to provide fans with a great form of entertainment. I think we succeeded on a lot of those fronts. I am proud of our guys for never giving up despite all the adversity of injuries, and losing close games. We have a lot of work to do in the off-season, but I know our players, front office staff, and ownership group have already begun the plans for next year. We'll do our evaluations and make sure we put the best product on the field in 2012. I'd just like to give a huge thank you to the entire Lehigh Valley Community, and the great fans that supported us all season. We already can't wait until February."
Season ticket packages for next season go on sale July 1st starting as low as $8 per game, so reserve your seats close to the action and call the team's front office at 610-282-3100. Don't miss out on the fun and exciting atmosphere that is Steelhawks Professional Indoor Football for 2012! For further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.