Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Quarterback Warren Smith, Jr Wins National Arena League MVP

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks quarterback Warren Smith Jr has won the 2017 National Arena League MVP. The star quarterback has thrown for 1,953 yards and 56 touchdowns.

Those numbers, like Derrick Ross in rushing, dominates all other opponents. The 1,953 passing yards are 342 yards more than the next best guy, Columbus Lions quarterback Darren Daniel. The 56 touchdown passes are also 18 more than Daniel, also the second best in that category.

Smith had many offensive weapons to help him reach the stats that he got. Darius Prince, Brandon Renford, Warren Oliver, Jr all were big contributions to getting Smith to his league-leading performance.

Unfortunately for Smith and the Steelhawks, they couldn’t cap off the incredible season with a championship. After riding a six-game win steak, they blew a 22-point lead in the NAL semifinals and lost to the Lions, 52-50. In an interview with Inside the Arena, Smith said he didn’t care about winning the NAL MVP title. Now, he’s got the award in his hands.

The Jacksonville Sharks and Columbus Lions will face off in the first ever National Arena League title game tomorrow night, July 10. Columbus will be looking to win their third title in three years in a third league. Jacksonville will be looking for their first title since winning ArenaBowl XXIV in 2011.

Warren Smith, Jr. Will Win the 2017 National Arena League MVP

The National Arena League is set to announce several awards during their first awards banquet on Sunday night, July 9. One of the awards will be the National Arena League Most Valuable Player (MVP).

There are really only two candidates for the MVP award in the NAL. Jacksonville Sharks running back Derrick Ross and Lehigh Valley Steelhawks quarterback Warren Smith Jr have been the two best players in the league’s first year. However, when it comes to an award such as MVP, the winner is chosen by who has been most valuable to their team.

Ross has dominated the run game all season along and will finish with the league’s rushing title. But if he were as valuable, his team wouldn’t have struggled offensively like they have. When it comes to Smith, he had the Steelhawks as the hottest team in the league until their loss to the Columbus Lions.

While Smith did have help with his offensive weapons in Darius Prince, Brandon Renford, Warren Oliver and others, no one knows how the team would’ve fared with anyone other than Smith as their quarterback.

Not only that, but when it comes to league MVPs, the quarterback is mainly favored, as well. The reasoning behind this is because generally the quarterback is the one who leads the team down the field on each drive.

Smith’s stats also help prove his case. He threw for 1,953 yards in the inaugural NAL season. The next best passing game comes from Darren Daniel (1,611 yards passing) and he doesn’t even start for the Lions anymore.

Ross may dominate the run game in the NAL and he may be the one of the most impressive players, but Warren Smith Jr has been the most valuable player. That’s why he will claim the award for the NAL MVP on Sunday night, July 9 at the awards banquet.

Columbus Lions Upset Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 52-50 to Advance to NAL Championship Game

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks hosted the Columbus Lions at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA Friday night. Both teams were facing off in the first of two National Arena League playoff semifinals. The winner would advance to the first ever NAL title game.

Lehigh Valley took a 7-0 lead on the first play of the game when quarterback Warren Smith Jr found Darius Prince for a wide open touchdown. Wyeaz Bradley scored a one yard rushing touchdown to give the Steelhawks a 14-0 lead. They kept their 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Smith Jr hooked up with Prince for the second time in the first half to give the Steelhawks a 21-0 lead.

Columbus would make a comeback, trailing 21-9, the Lions blocked a field goal attempt from Lehigh Valley. They couldn’t capitalize, however, and Lehigh Valley led 21-9 at the half.

Columbus made a strong second half comeback. Once trailing by 22, a Tristan Purifoy touchdown gave the Lions a 44-43 lead, their first of the night. Following a touchdown to make it 50-43, Lindsey Wolfe kicked a deuce to give Columbus a 52-43 with under a minute left.

Lehigh Valley would not be able to complete a comeback of their own. The Lions pulled off the upset by a final score of . They will face the winner of the Jacksonville Sharks-Monterrey Steel game tomorrow night in the NAL title game.

National Arena League Playoff Preview: Lehigh Valley Steelhawks vs Columbus Lions

The Columbus Lions are looking to become the first ever NAL champion, but they must beat the Lehigh Valley Steelhawks before they think about winning a title. The Lions are facing off against Lehigh Valley on Friday for the right to advance to the championship game. The game will be played at the PPL Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The Lions got off to a slow start to the season, as they were just 3-3 after an April 29 loss to the Jacksonville Sharks. Since that loss, the Lions have not lost a single game, as they finished the season by winning five straight games.

The Lions played the Steelhawks once this season, and they lost 60-54. Columbus has played two quarterbacks this season. Darren Daniel has played in eight games, and he threw for 1,476 yards and 37 touchdowns this season. The Lions other quarterback, Mason Espinosa, threw for 953 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Lions best receiver all season long was Michael Reeve, who compiled 764 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Receivers Jarmon Forston and Tristan Purifoy combined for 32 touchdowns. On defense, the Lions are anchored by Kyle Griswould, who recorded 10 interceptions, and brought back four of those for touchdowns.

The Steelhawks have been fantastic all season long, with their only loss coming to Jacksonville earlier in the season. Quarterback Warren Smith Jr. has been phenomenal for the Steelhawks. Smith threw for 1,953 yards and 56 touchdowns this season. His top weapon is Darius Prince, who caught 20 touchdowns this season. These two teams are looking for a spot in the championship game. The Lions are looking to win their third straight championship after winning two in two different leagues over the last two years.