Post by 50yardfan on Apr 17, 2011 23:09:41 GMT -5
Bethlehem, P.A.: The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (1-5) fell short this evening in their game against the United Conference contender, Chicago Slaughter (5-2) by a score of 52-27. Despite a promising start, Steelhawks failed to contain the explosive Chicago offense, led by WR James Robinson (6 receptions, 105 yards, 3 touchdowns). The loss, couple with losses by Richmond and Reading this weekend still see the Steelhawks 2 1/2 games back for the Atlantic Division lead.
In the opening series, the Steelhawks showed off their defensive power early, allowing only eight yards before forcing a turnover on downs. After a missed field goal attempt by Steelhawks K Paul Stoltz, Chicago capitalized with a 20-yard pass from QB Ben Sankey (152 yards, 4 touchdowns) to WR James Robinson for the first touchdown of the game. On the next Steelhawks drive, Chicago WR Rasheed Ward returned Stoltz's blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown. However, a tremendous 23-yard touchdown completion from QB A.J. Roque (138 yards, 3 interceptions, 2 touchdowns) to WR Quinton Lopez (9 receptions, 61 yards, 2 touchdowns) brought the Steelhawks within seven points. Unfortunately, on their very next offensive play, Chicago QB Ben Sankey connected with Robinson again for a 22-yard score, his second touchdown of the night.
Despite an impressive 16-yard run by QB A.J. Roque, the Steelhawks turned the ball over on downs in the first possession of the second quarter. Both kickers also faced early struggles in the quarter as Slaughter K Chris Nendick missed wide left on his first attempt of the night, followed by Stoltz, who missed his third kick of the night wide right. Chicago took advantage of the turnover with their fourth touchdown of the night, complements of a rushing touchdown by RB Kevin Grady. Inside 40 seconds remaining in the half, a rushing touchdown by RB Ryan Leafey (9 rushes, 31 yards, 2 touchdowns) brought the Steelhawks within 14 of Chicago. After a Steelhawks failed onside kick attempt and then a 14-yard reception from Sanky to Robinson, the Slaughter had the ball inside the Steelhawks 5-yard line with ten seconds remaining. However, the Steelhawks defense responded, holding them to a field goal. Chicago went into the locker room at half time with a 31-14 lead.
The opening drive of the second half was dominated by the Slaughter, as they sacked QB A.J. Roque for a loss on 4th down, forcing a turnover. However, the Steelhawks defense, backed into a corner, prevailed when LB Adrian McLeoud blocked the Chicago's field goal attempt. Lehigh Valley quickly marched down the field, finishing with RB Ryan Leafey's second rushing touchdown of the game. After a blocked extra point attempt, the Steelhawks were down 31-20 mid-way through the third quarter. Chicago quickly responded with a mid-range field goal by Nendick to bring their lead to 18. The Steelhawks refused to lay down as QB A.J. Roque connected with WR Quintin Lopez for a 35-yard touchdown reception, their second of the night. The Steelhawks defense kept their momentum in their favor with an end zone interception by CB Theo Hall, giving the team the ball on their own 20-yard line to start the 4th quarter.
After a controversial "no-catch" call on 4th down, the Steelhawks turned the ball over early in the 4th quarter and the defense could not contain Robinson as he and Sankey connected on their third touchdown of the day, pushing their lead to 18. On the next Steelhawks possession, QB A.J. Roque's pass was deflected and intercepted by CB Lenny Radtke and returned for 17 yards. The result was a converted field goal by pushing the score to 52-27 with 4:19 remaining in the game.
"This was a tough night," stated Head Coach Rich Britt. "Losing a player as dominating as Al Stokes on the Defensive Line and Matty Cohen at the Linebacker position really put us in a bind tonight, but again there are no excuses. We didn't execute when we had the opportunities. This next week is going to be key for us. We need to take a game in the division next weekend against Reading. We've fought them hard twice and just need to get over that hump. I firmly believe we have the tools in place to do so."
The Steelhawks look to bounce back in their third straight home contest next Saturday, April 23 as they host the Atlantic Division leader Reading Express, at 7 p.m. It's RIVALRY NIGHT at the Stabler Arena, so come out and help cheer on the guys in this divisional battle. Individual tickets are available online at www.LVSteelhawks.com or by calling the Stabler Arena Box Office at 610-758-6611. For flex pack season tickets for the remaining home games call the Steelhawks Home Office at 610-282-3100.
Season ticket flex packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited, 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 further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.
Injury Notes: Offensive Lineman Al Stokes (leg) was carted off the field in 1st quarter and LB Matt Cohen re-aggravated a knee injury.
In the opening series, the Steelhawks showed off their defensive power early, allowing only eight yards before forcing a turnover on downs. After a missed field goal attempt by Steelhawks K Paul Stoltz, Chicago capitalized with a 20-yard pass from QB Ben Sankey (152 yards, 4 touchdowns) to WR James Robinson for the first touchdown of the game. On the next Steelhawks drive, Chicago WR Rasheed Ward returned Stoltz's blocked field goal attempt for a touchdown. However, a tremendous 23-yard touchdown completion from QB A.J. Roque (138 yards, 3 interceptions, 2 touchdowns) to WR Quinton Lopez (9 receptions, 61 yards, 2 touchdowns) brought the Steelhawks within seven points. Unfortunately, on their very next offensive play, Chicago QB Ben Sankey connected with Robinson again for a 22-yard score, his second touchdown of the night.
Despite an impressive 16-yard run by QB A.J. Roque, the Steelhawks turned the ball over on downs in the first possession of the second quarter. Both kickers also faced early struggles in the quarter as Slaughter K Chris Nendick missed wide left on his first attempt of the night, followed by Stoltz, who missed his third kick of the night wide right. Chicago took advantage of the turnover with their fourth touchdown of the night, complements of a rushing touchdown by RB Kevin Grady. Inside 40 seconds remaining in the half, a rushing touchdown by RB Ryan Leafey (9 rushes, 31 yards, 2 touchdowns) brought the Steelhawks within 14 of Chicago. After a Steelhawks failed onside kick attempt and then a 14-yard reception from Sanky to Robinson, the Slaughter had the ball inside the Steelhawks 5-yard line with ten seconds remaining. However, the Steelhawks defense responded, holding them to a field goal. Chicago went into the locker room at half time with a 31-14 lead.
The opening drive of the second half was dominated by the Slaughter, as they sacked QB A.J. Roque for a loss on 4th down, forcing a turnover. However, the Steelhawks defense, backed into a corner, prevailed when LB Adrian McLeoud blocked the Chicago's field goal attempt. Lehigh Valley quickly marched down the field, finishing with RB Ryan Leafey's second rushing touchdown of the game. After a blocked extra point attempt, the Steelhawks were down 31-20 mid-way through the third quarter. Chicago quickly responded with a mid-range field goal by Nendick to bring their lead to 18. The Steelhawks refused to lay down as QB A.J. Roque connected with WR Quintin Lopez for a 35-yard touchdown reception, their second of the night. The Steelhawks defense kept their momentum in their favor with an end zone interception by CB Theo Hall, giving the team the ball on their own 20-yard line to start the 4th quarter.
After a controversial "no-catch" call on 4th down, the Steelhawks turned the ball over early in the 4th quarter and the defense could not contain Robinson as he and Sankey connected on their third touchdown of the day, pushing their lead to 18. On the next Steelhawks possession, QB A.J. Roque's pass was deflected and intercepted by CB Lenny Radtke and returned for 17 yards. The result was a converted field goal by pushing the score to 52-27 with 4:19 remaining in the game.
"This was a tough night," stated Head Coach Rich Britt. "Losing a player as dominating as Al Stokes on the Defensive Line and Matty Cohen at the Linebacker position really put us in a bind tonight, but again there are no excuses. We didn't execute when we had the opportunities. This next week is going to be key for us. We need to take a game in the division next weekend against Reading. We've fought them hard twice and just need to get over that hump. I firmly believe we have the tools in place to do so."
The Steelhawks look to bounce back in their third straight home contest next Saturday, April 23 as they host the Atlantic Division leader Reading Express, at 7 p.m. It's RIVALRY NIGHT at the Stabler Arena, so come out and help cheer on the guys in this divisional battle. Individual tickets are available online at www.LVSteelhawks.com or by calling the Stabler Arena Box Office at 610-758-6611. For flex pack season tickets for the remaining home games call the Steelhawks Home Office at 610-282-3100.
Season ticket flex packages, starting as low as $8 per game, are still available but great seats are limited, 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 further information on the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks please contact Executive Vice President Mike Clark at 610-282-3100.
Injury Notes: Offensive Lineman Al Stokes (leg) was carted off the field in 1st quarter and LB Matt Cohen re-aggravated a knee injury.