Photos by: John DelGrosso
Article By: Joe Scrizzi

When I first walked into the arena last night, I was amazed by the size of the crowd! It doubled compared to Home Opener on March 19th. Could it be that the SteelHawks were 7- 1 going into tonight in the hopes of making it 8-1 and clinching Home Field Advantage in the Playoffs? That would be a good thing!

First quarter started off touch and go, ball handed back and forth. Then there was a play where Alvarez strips it, Steelhawks recover. And follow it with a quick TD to Renford making it able for the Hawks to put numbers up on the board first: 7-0 LV. With 30 seconds left in the 1st Qtr., the Grizzlies get a Safety and Hotaling gets a Deuce making the score 9-2. Start of the 2nd qtr., High Country scores making it a tie game 9-9.

With under 11 minutes left in the 2nd qtr., it was a back-and-forth game. TD Hawks by Oliver Jr. making it 16 – 9. Grizzlies answer it and tie it up 16-16. When the games are tight/close in score, it makes it for an interesting game, indeed! High Country kicks off and takes the lead 18-16 w/ a deuce. Quick conversation, TD Hawks, Tralli on the grab, followed with a deuce making the score 25-18! Crowd was getting pumped! Hawks increase the lead to 31-18 with 17 seconds left in the 1st half. I was 4 rows from the field when Hall Jr. received the kick and ran for a 50 yard TD bringing the score to 39 – 18 SteelHawks! Explosive 2nd Qtr., to say the least!

Start of the 3rd Qtr., scoring was back and forth once again, Grizzlies close the gap bringing the score to 46 – 39. With under 9 minutes left in the game, Bradley caps the drive for the Hawks bringing the score to 52-39.  Hawks force another turnover on downs after a huge Dover sack on 3rd down makes it 4th and long. With a 35 yard pass to Prince, takes it in for TD. That was Warren Smith Jr.’s 52 career TD pass for the Steelhawks, making him the franchise’s All-Time leader in touchdown passes, LV leads 60-39.
Interception to Jones closes the qtr.

4th qtr starts with a TD Steelhawks! Piekarski with a great grab, bringing the score to 67-39 LV, crowd was loud tonight!
A pair of turnovers from each team, Grizzlies TD, failed onside kick attempt, and then a Steelhawks intercept into the end zone, LV leads 67-46 with under 5 minutes left, Grizzlies ball on their own 1. Not much action after that, SteelHawks WIN 67 – 52.
The Grizzlies definitely tightened the gap in the 4th qtr., which makes for an interesting game! Steelhawks secured their 1st playoff game @ The PPL Center on June 23rd! Stay tuned for more info……Go SteelHawks!!!

* The Steelhawks have completed the Domino’s 50 Pt challenge! For the next 3 days, Hawks fans can get 50% off menu priced pizzas at participating Lehigh Valley locations. Use the code SH50

* For up to 3 days after the game, each ticket is worth a free slice of pizza at any Big Woody’s Locations.