A Promising Start Turns Into Another Loss
May 19, 2002 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Wichita Stealth News Release
Moline, IL âThe first drive only took three plays for the Stealth to go ahead of the two time defending champion Quad City Steamwheelers in front of 6,235 enthusiastic fans. The next two possessions would shock the Steamwheelers and make those fans into silent spectators. On the Steamwheelers first possession from their own 3-yard line, quarterback Tony Zimmerman fumbled the snap and Wichita lineman Jerry Samuels recovered it at the 3-yard line. Wichita could not convert the Steamwheeler mistake into any points but on the next Quad City possession the Stealth would increase their early lead. Zimmerman dropped back inside his own end-zone before promptly being sacked by the Stealth's Brian Henderson giving Wichita the Safety and a 9-0 lead. The sack was Henderson's ninth of the season which leads the league, but unfortunately for the Stealth was not enough to put away the defending champion Quad City Steamwheelers as they rattle off 21 unanswered points to regain the lead and eventually crush the Stealth 68-36.
The Stealth had their chances early. After the safety by Henderson Wichita had an opportunity to move ahead by 16 points but were unable to move out of their own 5-yard line, and were forced to kick it away. The Steamwheelers encountered the same problems on offense, and on their third drive were forced to kick another long field goal that was missed giving the Stealth yet another opportunity to extend their lead. It would be the last chance Wichita would get to extend their lead as Stealth quarterback Matt Hicks fumbled on the Steamwheeler 8-yard line.
The next play would start the landslide of points scored by Quad Cities. It took one play for the Steamwheelers to get on the board as Zimmerman connected with offensive specialist Chris Anthony for a 32-yard touchdown pass that cut the lead to two. Quad City would follow that up with 14 unanswered points and keep moving further and further ahead of the battered Stealth.
Wichita suffered numerous injuries during the course of the game. The first came early in the second quarter to wide receiver and defensive back Will Sullivan who took a blind-sided hit on a kick-off return that kept him sidelined for the remainder of the half. Other injuries included an ankle injury to both defensive specialist Robert Hall and fullback/linebacker Rod Pickett. Pickett would return to the game in the second half but was never 100%. Wichita quarterback Matt Hicks was knocked out of the contest early in the fourth quarter, when he tackled Steamwheeler wide receiver Ira Gooch on a kick-off return.
Gooch was named game MVP. Wichita has struggled the entire season with kick return coverage. Gooch racked up 288 yards in returns alone, including one he returned for a touchdown. Gooch gave Quad City excellent field position all night, and the Steamwheelers capitalized on it.
With the loss of Hicks late in the game, the Stealth turned to rookie back-up quarterback Jay Alexander who answered the call with 121 yards passing on 7 attempts, and 3 touchdown passes, all in the fourth quarter. Alexander connected with wide receiver Greg Kyler twice and Carl Richardson once. Hicks finished the night with 175 yards passing on 12 of 30 attempts, and 2 touchdowns. Hicks was hurried all night by the Quad City front line, and sacked three times.
Wichita's top receiver Willie Grissom did not play due to an injury suffered in practice early last week. He is expected to play next week against the Steamwheelers in Wichita.
The Steamwheelers continue their unbeaten record at home and move to 5-1 on the season, while the Stealth still look for their first road win of the season, and second win overall. Wichita moves to 1-5 and vividly see the task set before them, as the same two teams will meet again next week in Wichita.
Tickets are still available for the May 25th game between the Stealth and the Steamwheelers at the Kansas Coliseum. For ticket information call 316-755-3307. The game will begin at 7:30 p.m., with a free tailgate party beginning at 6:00 p.m. in front of the Kansas Coliseum.
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