[6][7] In 1967, in the PFLA's last year of operation, the Hawks won the Western Division with a 9–3 record and hosted the league's championship game at Milton Frank Stadium, losing 31–20 to the Joliet Chargers.

The Hawks served as an "unofficial" minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Falcons.

[10][11] The contest marked the only time an NFL squad played a Continental League team.

(In 1972, the New York Jets rookies would play the minor league Long Island Chiefs and in 1974, the Houston Oilers rookies would play the minor league San Antonio Toros)[12][13] The Hawks sent several notable players on to the NFL including Jeff Van Note, Chip Myers, Glen Condren, and Art Strahan, uncle of Michael Strahan.

Hawks running back Billy "Tootie" Hill—who set a record by scoring ten touchdowns in a single game[14]—went on to coach high school football in the area and, later, the semi-pro Rocket City Titans of the Gridiron Developmental Football League.