Lehigh Valley Steelhawks 2018 Season Preview

Leigh Valley were the favorites to play in the inaugural NAL title game last season. They even held a 22-point lead over the Columbus Lions in the NAL semifinal. Unfortunately, they could not maintain that lead and didn’t get the opportunity to play in the title game.

Their road to the title this season will be a much tougher one. They will have to play their long-time rival Lions several times in both Columbus, GA and in Allentown, PA and will also have to play the defending champions Jacksonville Sharks twice – once in Jacksonville and once in Allentown, PA.

They will also face a third tough opponent in the expansion Carolina Cobras. They have several players from the Wichita Falls Nighthawks team, including 2016 and 2017 Indoor Football League MVP quarterback Charles McCullum and two receivers in Tyron Laughinghouse and Jordan Jolly. Carolina will also be coached by former Nighthawks head coach Billy Back.

Not only do their opponents propose a challenge. Their roster does, as well. Wide receiver Darius Prince, who was named ArenaBowl XXX MVP with the Philadelphia Soul, will remain with the Soul in 2018. Another star receiver in Warren Oliver Jr. signed with the Duke City Gladiators of Champions Indoor Football (CIF). On defense, Eddie Davis III, who recorded seven interceptions in four games, is with the Sharks.

The biggest blow of all comes at the quarterback position. 2017 NAL MVP and Steelhawks quarterback Warren Smith Jr is with the Washington Valor or the Arena Football League (AFL).

Not all is lost, however. They did sign a talented running back in Undra Hendrix II. In 2017 with the High Country Grizzlies, he rushed for 298 yards and 12 touchdowns, both second in the league behind Derrick Ross. Wide receiver Brandon Renford, who recorded 546 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2017,  will also be returning.

Lehigh Valley kicks off their season against the same team that ended their last, the Columbus Lions, on April 13 in Columbus, GA. Their first home game will be on April 21 when they host the expansion Maine Mammoths at the PPL Center in Allentown, PA.

Lehigh Valley Steelhawks Sign Running Back Undra Hendrix II

The Lehigh Valley Steelhawks have signed former High Country Grizzlies fullback Undra Hendrix II for the 2018 season. Hendrix rushed for 298 yards with High Country in the first National Arena League season, good enough for second in the league.

He also scored 12 rushing touchdowns on the ground. That was also good enough for second in the NAL last season.

“This is a very exciting day for us and our fans. Signing a guy like Undra, who not only was named second team All-NAL a year ago, but knowing what he can bring to the table at fullback for us in our offense is very exciting,” Steelhawks head coach Chris Thompson said. “Undra [Hendrix] can do it all and we expect to utilize him fully in our offensive scheme for the upcoming 2018 season.

“I can’t wait for the season to get here has our awesome fan base will love to get to know the “Wrecking Ball” this season as we are off and running building our 2018 team,” he added. Hendrix will be a big addition to the team.

Lehigh Valley’s running back last season, Wyreaz Bradley, rushed for 241 yards and eight touchdowns. Bradley and Hendrix will be able to take some pressure off of Smith so he doesn’t have to pass as much like he did last season.

The Steelhawks finished the inaugural NAL season as the second best team behind the Jacksonville Sharks. They fell to the Columbus Lions in the semifinal after blowing a 22-point lead.

Lehigh Valley will be looking to bounce back from that next season. They are hosting an open tryout this Saturday, Sept. 9 from 9 a.m. ET – 1 p.m. ET. They will be looking for their next star in the tryout. Possibly, that player could be another key player to help the Steelhawks advance to the title game in 2018.