2000 Quad City Steamwheelers Named af2's Top Team of All-Time
February 24, 2009 - arenafootball2 (af2) News Release
CHICAGO - The arenafootball2 league (af2) announced today that the 2000 Quad City Steamwheelers have been named the league's top team of all-time, as selected by a group of af2 head coaches past and present, members of the media and fans throughout the country. The Steamwheelers dominated the af2 in the league's inaugural season, winning all 19 games, 16 regular season contests and three in the playoffs en route to claiming the first ArenaCup Championship.
"The voters look to be 2-for-2 in my book so far," said af2 President Jerry Kurz. "The 2000 Steamwheelers had it all - great coaching, great players and great fans. They really stood out above the crowd in the af2's first season. With how competitive our league is right now, it's hard to imagine a team ever going undefeated again."
TOP 10 af2 TEAMS OF ALL-TIME
1. 2000 Quad City Steamwheelers
2. 2005 Memphis Xplorers
3. 2006 Spokane Shock
4. 2001 Quad City Steamwheelers
5. 2003 Tulsa Talons
6. 2004 Florida Firecats
7. 2007 Tulsa Talons
8. 2002 Peoria Pirates
9. 2008 Spokane Shock
10. 2008 Tennessee Valley Vipers
2000 Quad City Steamwheelers at a glance
Quad City rolled through the regular season with their only close call coming in a 6-point win at Arkansas in overtime. In that game, the Twisters had a chance to win in regulation, but missed a short field goal. The Steamwheelers, who outscored their opponents in 2000 by an average of 37.5 points per contest, dominated on both sides of the ball. On offense, Quad City was paced by QB Billy Dicken, OS Shon King and WR/DB Xavier Patterson. As a group, the Steamwheelers set league records that still stand today for most points scored in a season (1074 - 67.1 ppg), most points in a game (103) and most touchdowns in a season (152). Dicken led the af2 in passer rating (128.3), throwing for over 3,400 yards with 73 TD passes against only four interceptions in 15 games. He also had 13 rushing scores. King led the league in scoring (284 points) and all-purpose yards (3,198) to go along with five return touchdowns and two rushing scores. Both players garnered Second Team All-af2 honors. Patterson, better known as "X-Man," earned the af2's first Ironman of the Year Award and a spot on the All-af2 First Team for his tremendous two-way play. Patterson scored 32 total touchdowns during the regular season, 28 on offense (24 receiving, 2 rushing, 2 on kick returns) and four on defense (3 interception return TDs, 1 fumble return TD). He had six interceptions overall on defense as well as 47 total tackles, 12 pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
As impressive as Quad City's offense was, the team's defense was just as strong. The Steamwheelers led the af2 in scoring defense, allowing just 29.6 points per game and 65 total touchdowns. Both marks are the second lowest single season totals allowed in league history. DS Cornelius Coe had a monster season overall (117 tackles, 21 PBUs, 8 INTs, 6 FRs, 4 TFLs, 3 FFs) to earn First Team All-af2 honors. OL/DL Jamarr Ward (8.5 sacks, 2 FFs, 2 FRs, 2 blocked kicks) garnered a spot on the All-af2 Second Team.
After a 16-0 regular season, the Steamwheelers continued their dominance in the postseason. Quad City won its first two playoff games by 36 and 48 points, respectively, before meeting the Tennessee Valley Vipers in the ArenaCup Championship. The Vipers held a 59-55 lead after three quarters, but a long Patterson touchdown grab and a short Dicken touchdown run in the final quarter propelled the Steamwheelers to the 68-59 victory. King was a big factor in the final as well with three kick return TDs (2 KR, 1 MFG) and two receiving TDs on six catches (111 yards).
Remaining af2 Top 10 Announcements
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Top 10 head coaches of all time release
Thursday, Feb. 26
Top 10 ironmen of all time release
Friday, Feb. 27
Top 10 kick returners of all time release
Monday, March 2
Top 10 kickers of all time release
Tuesday, March 3
Top 10 linebackers of all time release
Wednesday, March 4
Top 10 fullbacks of all time release
Thursday, March 5
Top 10 offensive lineman release
Monday, March 9
Top 10 defensive lineman release
Tuesday, March 10
Top 10 defensive backs release
Wednesday, March 11
Top 10 wide receivers release
Thursday, March 12
Top 10 quarterbacks release
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