Post by 50yardfan on Apr 25, 2011 9:40:47 GMT -5
Bethlehem, PA: The budding rivalry between the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks and the Reading Express was in full force on Saturday night. Despite an impressive performance by Steelhawks Running back Isaiah Grier in his first game back from injury (16 rushes, 70 yards, 3 touchdowns), the Steelhawks 40-37 loss was decided on a Reading field goal as time expired. With the loss the Steelhawks fall to 1-6 on the season while Atlantic division leader Reading move to 5-3.
In the opening possession, the Reading Express hit the Steelhawks early as RB Matt Sola capped off a short, three-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. After an unsuccessful first offensive possession by the Steelhawks, a 38-yard field goal by K Erik Rockhold gave Reading an early 10-point lead. However, the Steelhawks immediately respond with decisive march down the field, finishing with a 2-yard rush by RB Isaiah Grier.
In the second quarter, despite Express DB Jesse Cooper's 28-yard return, the Steelhawks defense held strong, holding the Express to a 5-yard field goal, giving Reading a 13-7 lead. After a couple of impressive runs by QB A.J. Roque (41 rushing yards, 106 passing yards, 3 total touchdowns), RB Isaiah Grier gave the Steelhawks their first lead of the night (14-13) with a 3-yard touchdown, his second of the game. In the final minute of the first half, LB Adrian McLeod showed his dominance with a sack on QB Chris Malleo (139 total yards, 2 touchdowns), pushing the Express back inside their own five-yard line. The Steelhawks would enter the locker room at half only trailing the Express by two with a score of 16-14.
The opening drive of the second half was all about Steelhawks RB Isaiah Grier, rushing for 35 yards in the drive, finishing with a powerful 4-yard touchdown run, his third of the night. The Steelhawks defensive line continued to assert themselves, forcing several bad snaps and poor field position for Reading. This momentum translated into three points as K Paul Stoltz bounced back with an astounding 47-yard field goal, giving the Steelhawks a 24-16 lead. After two costly defensive penalties against the Steelhawks, Reading took advantage of favorable field position as QB Chris Malleo scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. The Steelhawks defense came out with a small victory as they prevented the 2-point conversion, hanging on to a 2-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Steelhawks passing attack got a major jump-start with a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass from Roque to WR Eric McCollum in the back of the end zone. A subsequent interception by Steelhawks CB Theo Hall was quickly negated after an interception return by Reading CB Jesse Cooper brought Reading back to the Steelhawks 1-yard line. A quick rushing touchdown by Reading tied the game up at 30. Roque quickly bounced back giving their team the 37-30 lead with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. But in dramatic fashion, Malleo matched Roque's success with his 2nd rushing touchdown of the night. In the final minute of the game, a blocked Steelhawks field goal gave Reading the ball inside the Steelhawks 5-yard line. Just as you would expect from a rivalry, a 13-yard field goal as time expired gave Reading the 40-37 victory.
The Steelhawks now travel to Wisconsin next Saturday as they take on the La Crosse Spartans. Fans wishing to view the game can log onto www.b2tv.com and watch online. They return home Sunday, May 8th for a mother's day rematch against Reading at 4 p.m. as they continue the grueling in-state rivalry. The game, deemed Relay For Life Night, will feature alternate purple and black jersey's that will be auctioned off to fans throughout the game. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on these game worn jersey's which will be delivered in the days following the contest. 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: WR Quintin Lopez came off the field in the 4th Quarter due to a pulled hamstring.
In the opening possession, the Reading Express hit the Steelhawks early as RB Matt Sola capped off a short, three-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. After an unsuccessful first offensive possession by the Steelhawks, a 38-yard field goal by K Erik Rockhold gave Reading an early 10-point lead. However, the Steelhawks immediately respond with decisive march down the field, finishing with a 2-yard rush by RB Isaiah Grier.
In the second quarter, despite Express DB Jesse Cooper's 28-yard return, the Steelhawks defense held strong, holding the Express to a 5-yard field goal, giving Reading a 13-7 lead. After a couple of impressive runs by QB A.J. Roque (41 rushing yards, 106 passing yards, 3 total touchdowns), RB Isaiah Grier gave the Steelhawks their first lead of the night (14-13) with a 3-yard touchdown, his second of the game. In the final minute of the first half, LB Adrian McLeod showed his dominance with a sack on QB Chris Malleo (139 total yards, 2 touchdowns), pushing the Express back inside their own five-yard line. The Steelhawks would enter the locker room at half only trailing the Express by two with a score of 16-14.
The opening drive of the second half was all about Steelhawks RB Isaiah Grier, rushing for 35 yards in the drive, finishing with a powerful 4-yard touchdown run, his third of the night. The Steelhawks defensive line continued to assert themselves, forcing several bad snaps and poor field position for Reading. This momentum translated into three points as K Paul Stoltz bounced back with an astounding 47-yard field goal, giving the Steelhawks a 24-16 lead. After two costly defensive penalties against the Steelhawks, Reading took advantage of favorable field position as QB Chris Malleo scored on a 5-yard touchdown run. The Steelhawks defense came out with a small victory as they prevented the 2-point conversion, hanging on to a 2-point lead at the end of the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Steelhawks passing attack got a major jump-start with a beautiful 30-yard touchdown pass from Roque to WR Eric McCollum in the back of the end zone. A subsequent interception by Steelhawks CB Theo Hall was quickly negated after an interception return by Reading CB Jesse Cooper brought Reading back to the Steelhawks 1-yard line. A quick rushing touchdown by Reading tied the game up at 30. Roque quickly bounced back giving their team the 37-30 lead with a 9-yard rushing touchdown. But in dramatic fashion, Malleo matched Roque's success with his 2nd rushing touchdown of the night. In the final minute of the game, a blocked Steelhawks field goal gave Reading the ball inside the Steelhawks 5-yard line. Just as you would expect from a rivalry, a 13-yard field goal as time expired gave Reading the 40-37 victory.
The Steelhawks now travel to Wisconsin next Saturday as they take on the La Crosse Spartans. Fans wishing to view the game can log onto www.b2tv.com and watch online. They return home Sunday, May 8th for a mother's day rematch against Reading at 4 p.m. as they continue the grueling in-state rivalry. The game, deemed Relay For Life Night, will feature alternate purple and black jersey's that will be auctioned off to fans throughout the game. Fans will have the opportunity to bid on these game worn jersey's which will be delivered in the days following the contest. 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: WR Quintin Lopez came off the field in the 4th Quarter due to a pulled hamstring.