Post by 50yardfan on May 23, 2011 13:26:09 GMT -5
Bethlehem, PA: Despite taking their first lead of the game with 90 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks (3-8) silenced their critics and upset the Fairbanks Grizzlies (8-4) in dramatic fashion by a score of 37-28. The Steelhawks victory ended the Grizzlies eight game winning streak. The game ball undoubtedly goes to Steelhawks cornerback Roshawn Marshall as his late game heroics sealed the stunning victory. Both teams currently sit in second place in their respective divisions.
In the first quarter, the Grizzlies looked to pass early with a 34-yard completion by QB Donovan Porterie (128 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) to WR John Halman (3 receptions, 48 yards), which led to a 4-yard touchdown run by RB Romandre Gibbs (72 yards, 1 TD). After K Rett Thibodeaux was injured during pregame warm-ups, Grizzlies kicking duties rested on the shoulders of Halman, who made his first extra point attempt of the game. The Steelhawks were unable to spark their offense early and entered the second quarter down 14-0.
The Steelhawks defense opened the second quarter in assertive fashion, forcing the Grizzlies into an incomplete pass on 4th down in their first possession of the quarter. Their effort on defense poured over into their running attack as Steelhawks RB Isaiah Grier (54 yards, 2 TD) followed an exciting 24-yard running burst with a powerful 6-yard rush into the end zone for the teams first touchdown of the night.
With under 90 seconds of action left in the first half, Steelhawks fans leaped from their seats in excitement as WR Andre Higgins put his athletic 6'4'' body to use with a great catch from QB Andre Sloan El (53 yards, 1 TD) in the corner of the end zone. On the following Grizzlies possession, Steelhawks Marshall turned a spectacular interception into an explosive 15-yard touchdown return. Despite trailing by a touchdown (28-21), the Steelhawks' fiery play in the final minutes gave them momentum going into the locker room at halftime.
The Grizzlies early running game in the second half was stifled by the Steelhawks defense with a huge 4th down stop on Fair Banks' time-consuming first possession.
After a scoreless third quarter the offense found success in the fourth quarter as Grier powered into the end zone with his second touchdown of the night, tying the game up at 28. The home team's defense stepped up yet again as Halman's kick attempt was blocked by Defensive Tackle Chris Medina. Back on offense, on 3rd and 13, Steelhawks QB Andre Sloan El turned a broken tackle in the backfield into a first down run. The athletic play led to a field goal by K Paul Stoltz, giving the Steelhawks their first lead of the game (31-28) with only 90 seconds left to play.
Then came the fireworks in perhaps the most exciting final eight seconds in Steelhawks' fan history, as the Grizzlies stood just six yards from victory. Despite am on-target throw, Marshall yet again jumped a Porterie pass and returned the interception 51 yards to the house as time expired sealing the Steelhawks victory. The touchdown was Marshall's second defensive touchdown of the game, and perhaps the signature individual performance of the season as the Steelhawks would walk out of Stabler Arena with a proud victory.
"This was a total team victory," stated Head Coach Rich Britt. "Even down 14-0 and 21-7 we continued to fight. Our defense stepped up in a huge way and our new guys came to play. That was one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of. The Grizzlies are an amazing team with top talent so to defeat an established franchise such as them is a great feeling. We are building a great foundation here. I am very proud of this team."
The Steelhawks return home on Saturday, May 28th for their fourth game against the Richmond revolution, a team they beat in their previous meeting.
The team next plays its final home game of the season next Saturday at 7 p.m. inside the Stabler Arena against division rival Richmond Revolution. The Steelhawks are 2-1 against the Rev's this year. The game is the first annual Heroes Night, as any military personnel, police officers, and first responders will receive 50% off the regular ticket pricing for the game.
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.
In the first quarter, the Grizzlies looked to pass early with a 34-yard completion by QB Donovan Porterie (128 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) to WR John Halman (3 receptions, 48 yards), which led to a 4-yard touchdown run by RB Romandre Gibbs (72 yards, 1 TD). After K Rett Thibodeaux was injured during pregame warm-ups, Grizzlies kicking duties rested on the shoulders of Halman, who made his first extra point attempt of the game. The Steelhawks were unable to spark their offense early and entered the second quarter down 14-0.
The Steelhawks defense opened the second quarter in assertive fashion, forcing the Grizzlies into an incomplete pass on 4th down in their first possession of the quarter. Their effort on defense poured over into their running attack as Steelhawks RB Isaiah Grier (54 yards, 2 TD) followed an exciting 24-yard running burst with a powerful 6-yard rush into the end zone for the teams first touchdown of the night.
With under 90 seconds of action left in the first half, Steelhawks fans leaped from their seats in excitement as WR Andre Higgins put his athletic 6'4'' body to use with a great catch from QB Andre Sloan El (53 yards, 1 TD) in the corner of the end zone. On the following Grizzlies possession, Steelhawks Marshall turned a spectacular interception into an explosive 15-yard touchdown return. Despite trailing by a touchdown (28-21), the Steelhawks' fiery play in the final minutes gave them momentum going into the locker room at halftime.
The Grizzlies early running game in the second half was stifled by the Steelhawks defense with a huge 4th down stop on Fair Banks' time-consuming first possession.
After a scoreless third quarter the offense found success in the fourth quarter as Grier powered into the end zone with his second touchdown of the night, tying the game up at 28. The home team's defense stepped up yet again as Halman's kick attempt was blocked by Defensive Tackle Chris Medina. Back on offense, on 3rd and 13, Steelhawks QB Andre Sloan El turned a broken tackle in the backfield into a first down run. The athletic play led to a field goal by K Paul Stoltz, giving the Steelhawks their first lead of the game (31-28) with only 90 seconds left to play.
Then came the fireworks in perhaps the most exciting final eight seconds in Steelhawks' fan history, as the Grizzlies stood just six yards from victory. Despite am on-target throw, Marshall yet again jumped a Porterie pass and returned the interception 51 yards to the house as time expired sealing the Steelhawks victory. The touchdown was Marshall's second defensive touchdown of the game, and perhaps the signature individual performance of the season as the Steelhawks would walk out of Stabler Arena with a proud victory.
"This was a total team victory," stated Head Coach Rich Britt. "Even down 14-0 and 21-7 we continued to fight. Our defense stepped up in a huge way and our new guys came to play. That was one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of. The Grizzlies are an amazing team with top talent so to defeat an established franchise such as them is a great feeling. We are building a great foundation here. I am very proud of this team."
The Steelhawks return home on Saturday, May 28th for their fourth game against the Richmond revolution, a team they beat in their previous meeting.
The team next plays its final home game of the season next Saturday at 7 p.m. inside the Stabler Arena against division rival Richmond Revolution. The Steelhawks are 2-1 against the Rev's this year. The game is the first annual Heroes Night, as any military personnel, police officers, and first responders will receive 50% off the regular ticket pricing for the game.
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.