Former Steamwheelers Successful in Week Two
February 16, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa âThe second week of the 2004 Arena Football League season is in the books and some former Quad City Steamwheelers (arenafootball2) are making their marks in the statistics.
Over the weekend, 11 of the 15 former Steamwheelers who have graduated to the AFL were in action. Heading up the list was 2003 af2 Offensive Player of the Year and Indiana Firebirds quarterback Tony Zimmerman.
Zimmerman, who started in his first AFL game, threw for 178 yards on 19-of-34 passing, including two touchdowns. Zimmerman rushed for a touchdown as well. His second touchdown pass, a 30-yard hookup with Mike Horacek, put the Firebirds up 40-34 with just over five minutes to go in the game.
The Firebirds held onto that lead until the games final play, where New Orleans VooDoo fullback/linebacker Dan Curran rushed in from two yards out to tie the game up. Kicker Brian Scmitz kicked the game-winning extra point to give the VooDoo a 41-40 victory.
2002 Steamwheelers Most Valuable Player wide receiver/linebacker Chris Anthony had an outstanding game for the New York Dragons. The Pleasant Valley product had nine receptions for 91 yards and three touchdowns. On defense Anthony added 2.5 tackles (two solo).
With the Dragons trailing the Chicago Rush 56-48 with under a minute remaining in the game, Dragons quarterback Aaron Garcia connected with Anthony to cut the lead to 56-54. Garcia's attempted two-point conversion pass was deflected off of the net and fell to the ground incomplete. The Rush ran out the clock to win 56-54.
Defensive specialist Cornelius Coe helped the Los Angeles Avengers improve to 2-0 with six tackles (five solo) in a 62-55 victory over the Las Vegas Gladiators.
On the losing side of the ball were: fullback/linebacker Frank Carter, who had two rushes for three yards and a tackle; wide receiver/defensive back Dennison Robinson, who had a fumble recovery; and offensive/defensive lineman Jeremy Wilkinson, who had a reception.
Playing its first game in franchise history were the Austin Wranglers. In the 49-48 overtime victory over the Orlando Predators, offensive/defensive lineman Jamarr Ward had an assisted tackle and pass deflection for the Wranglers.
The Arizona Rattlers were not as fortunate and dropped its second game of the season, a 48-31 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Fury. In that game, Rattlers fullback/linebacker Frank Trentadue had 1.5 tackles and a tackle for a loss of four yards.
Other players who saw action this past weekend, but did not record any stats were: VooDoo offensive/defensive lineman Jason Berger, Fury quarterback Billy Dicken, and Dragons offensive/defensive lineman Tim McGill.
About Arena Football League Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League, the second-longest running football league in U.S. history, is in its 18th season. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. The Austin Wranglers join the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo as the three expansion teams added for the 2004 season. At least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL is currently celebrating its second season on NBC in 2004.
The arenafootball2 league is in its Fifth Anniversary season and serves as the AFL's developmental league. The arenafootball2 (af2) league consists of 25 teams in medium-sized markets with the purpose of training players, coaches and officials for higher levels of football. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past three years.
Several players have moved on to the NFL from the af2 including the âWheelers standout defensive rush end in 2003, Asa Francis, who last month signed with the Buffalo Bills to play in NFL Europe this spring.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their Fifth Anniversary season as one of the charter members of the league. Season tickets are currently on sale starting as low as $54. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets may contact Steamwheelers Director of Ticket Sales Brian Forth at 563-324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For all the up to the minute Steamwheelers news, visit www.steamwheelers.com.
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