Game Preview: Steamwheelers vs. Blizzard
April 28, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
Following, arguably, their most impressive win of the 2022 IFL season-the Quad City Steamwheelers return home to the TaxSlayer Center to face the Green Bay Blizzard for the first time since April 5th, 2019.
The Wheelers' 36-17 win over the Bismarck Bucks was marked by both dominance and balance on offense and defense. Wheelers quarterback E.J. Hilliard produced 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. With 2 games under his belt since returning to Quad City on April 13th, Hilliard has already put up 8 total touchdowns (4 passing, 4 rushing).
On defense, Quad City faced the biggest challenge any defensive unit has faced all season-a Bucks offense fresh off of scoring 76 points just 5 days prior against the Bay Area Panthers.
The Wheelers' defense met the challenge, holding both of Bismarck's quarterbacks, Jayru Campbell and Tahj Tolbert, to 8 of 23 (34.8%) passing for 58 yards. Tajik Bagley picked off Campbell, Darreon Jackson led the team with 6 solo tackles and Malik Duncan notched 2 tackles of losses.
Wheelers Defensive Line Coach Wes Baskovic told steamwheelersfootball.com:
"All the credit to our big boys up front on the defensive line, and linebacker Nate Sheets for getting pressure up front, forcing [Jayru] Campbell to make poor decisions, and stifling their run game. We knew what to be ready for and schemed all week. Our motto is that everything starts and ends with us in the trenches and that we set the tone. Couldn't be prouder of my guys. Our D proved, by holding the Bucks dynamic offense at home to only 17 points, that we're one of the best in the league."
Wheelers Head Coach Cory Ross had the offense firing on all cylinders, outscoring the Bucks 26-7 in the second half. Worth noting, Coach Ross has now coached the Steamwheelers to wins with 3 different starting quarterbacks this season (David Perkins on 3/18/22 vs. Barnstormers, Aaron Aiken 4/8/22 vs. the Storm and E.J. Hilliard on 4/23/22 @ Bucks).
RB Kerrion Moore was a jack-of-all-trades vs. Bismarck-totaling 144 all-purpose yards (47 rushing, 78 receiving, 19 returning).
The combination of offensive and defensive dominance proved that the Steamwheelers can beat any team in the league. They'll look to extend that success against the 2-4 Green Bay Blizzard.
Despite Green Bay's overall record, they've proven that they're capable of playing spoiler to anyone, having defeated the 4-1 Massachusetts Pirates 38-31 on April 16th.
The Blizzard are now 2-0 over their last 2 games after notching a 34-25 win over the Vegas Nighthawks in Week 7. Quarterback Jack Sheehan threw for 3 touchdown passes, 0 interceptions and scored another touchdown on the ground for good measure.
What will happen when the Blizzard, riding a 2-game winning streak, face off against a Steamwheelers team coming off their most dominant performance of the 2022 season? Tune in this Saturday at 7:05 PM CT to find out.
Indoor Football League Stories from April 28, 2022
- Preview: Tucson vs. Duke City - Tucson Sugar Skulls
- Game Preview: Steamwheelers vs. Blizzard - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Rankin Running Rampant - Frisco Fighters
- Pirates Lukas Denis IFL's Defensive Player of the Week - Massachusetts Pirates
- Storm Looks to Build Momentum against Barnstormers - Sioux Falls Storm
- Preview: Fighters vs. Rattlers - Frisco Fighters
- IFL Announces Week Seven Players of the Week - IFL
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
