Preview: Fighters vs. Steamwheelers
Published on July 28, 2022 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Frisco Fighters News Release
FRISCO, TX - Following a triumphant win against the Iowa Barnstormers in Round one of the IFL Playoffs, the Frisco Fighters are hosting the Quad City Steamwheelers this Friday night at Comerica Center in Frisco for the Eastern Conference Final. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
This game will mark the third matchup between the Fighters and Steamwheelers in the 2022 IFL season.
The Steamwheelers are coming off a Round one overtime win against the reigning champions, the Massachusetts Pirates.
How to watch
Time/Location: 7:05 p.m. CT/Comerica Center - Frisco, Texas
Live Stream
Past meetups - Fighters vs Steamwheelers
The latest meetup between the Fighters and Steamwheelers took place just three weeks ago at Comerica Center. After a slow start for the Fighters, the Steamwheelers were able to take the lead going into halftime (24-14). The Fighters fought to comeback and tied the game with a last second 21-yard field goal by kicker Bryce Crawford (37-37). The game went into two overtimes with a Fighters win (50-44).
The Fighters and Steamwheelers also met earlier this season in April when the Fighters found themselves up 30-14 after a rouge made by Bryce Crawford at the half. The Steamwheelers fell short due to an interception made by Britto Tutt with less than two and a half minutes left in the game. This resulted in a Fighters win (68-51).
Players to watch
Week 20's matchup proved to be a full team effort, with both the offense and defense contributing majorly to the Round one victory.
Quarterback TJ Edwards passed for 116 yards on seven (ten attempts) passes with a long of 43 yards. This yardage resulted in two touchdowns. Week after week, Edwards shows he can run the ball, and week 20 was no different. Edwards rushed for 70 yards on 12 attempts which resulted in an additional three Fighters touchdowns.
Running back Justin Rankin rushed for a net of 47 yards with a long of 18 yards to tally three touchdowns. With the help of wide receivers Sheldon Augustine and Jerminic Smith along with quarterback Blake Sims, the Fighters were able to net 128 rushing yards. In addition to these stats, Smith received for 84 yards resulting in two touchdowns.
Defensive back Trey Wafford tallied 14 tackles (eight solo, six assisted), which was the most of both teams throughout the game. Linebacker Caleb Bailey as well as defensive linemen Larry Tharpe Jr. and Zaycoven Henderson collectively made three sacks for a loss of 31 yards. Defensive back Santos Ramirez had one interception for a touchdown and four tackles (three solo, one assisted).
The Fighters did not waste anytime and got on the scoreboard in the first two minutes of the game. After going into the second quarter tied (14-14), the Fighters were able to shut the Barnstormers out with the help of an interception made by Ramirez. Down 34-14 after the half, the Barnstormers fought to comeback, but the Fighters were able to keep the lead for the duration of the game and are advancing to Round two of the Playoffs with a 64-39 win.
Indoor Football League Stories from July 28, 2022
- IFL Announces Week Twenty Players of the Week - IFL
- Rattlers Host Wranglers in Western Conference Championship - Arizona Rattlers
- Preview: Fighters vs. Steamwheelers - Frisco Fighters
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