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IFL Quad City Steamwheelers

Quad City Dethrones Massachusetts in Overtime

July 23, 2022 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


Quad City Quarterback E.J. Hilliard ran for three touchdowns and passed for two more as the Steamwheelers (9-7, 1-0) defeated the Massachusetts Pirates (11-5, 0-1) in the opening round of the Indoor Football League Playoffs at Phoenix Field at the DCU Center. The Steamwheelers, the third seed in the Eastern Conference, upset the second seeded defending champions to advance to the conference championship game next week in Frisco against the top seeded Fighters.

The evening started well for the Pirates as quarterback Alejandro Bennifield engineered a four-play, 38-yard drive on Massachusetts' first possession to open the scoring. Bennifield carried the ball for a seven-yard score and a 7-0 lead.

The following kickoff hit the top of the dasher in the end zone and returner Eddie Smith was not able to bring the ball out, giving the Pirates a one-point rouge score for an 8-0 advantage.

Hilliard then led the Steamwheelers on a six-play, 45-yard march, passing the final 19 to Isaiah Grice for a touchdown. The point after by Kimo Naehu was no good leaving the score at 8-6.

Bennifield began the next Pirates drive with a 31-yard pass to running back Deddrick Thomas that set up Massachusetts with a first and goal at the Quad City four yard-line. Two plays later Bennifield was into the end zone from two yards out and the Pirates were up 15-6. That would be the last time Massachusetts would lead until overtime.

In the second quarter Quad City took control. The Wheelers scored on their first possession as Hilliard scored on a one-yard run and then passed to running back Kerrion Moore for a two-point conversion, leaving Quad City down by a point.

On the next play from scrimmage Pirates running back Darren Carrington fumbled. Linebacker Nathan Sheets recovered which led to a seven-play, 23-yard scoring drive that ended with Hilliard cashing in from two yards out as Quad City had its first lead of the game at 20-15 with 5:52 on the clock.

After a missed 30-yard field goal attempt by Pirates' kicker Josh Gable, Naehu would answer with a 46-yarder for a 23-15 Steamwheelers lead with 36 second left in the half. Naehu then made a "Deuce" on the ensuing kickoff. Gable missed a 62-yard three-point try as the half ended with Quad City out front. 25-15.

The third quarter belonged to the Pirates. It looked as if the Steamwheelers were going to score but as Hilliard reached for the goal line on second and goal from the one, Naashon Hughes forced a fumble that was recovered by Debione Renfro to end the threat. Six plays later, Bennifield threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to Thomas Owens and the Pirates trailed 25-22. Naehu missed a 50-yard field goal attempt as the quarter ended.

In the final quarter, Massachusetts tied the game as Gable connected on a 25-yard field goal. Three plays later Hilliard found a wide-open Keyvan Rudd with a 26-yard touchdown pass as the Steamwheelers regained the lead, 32-25 with 4:42 remaining.

The Pirates kept pace as Bennifield drove the team to the 21-yard line but left the game with an injury with 3:26 to play. Backup QB Mike Glass III completed the scoring drive, handing off to Thomas on first and goal from the ten. Thomas took it the rest of the way to tie the game at 32.

The Pirates then rolled the dice as Gable executed an onside kick which bounded off of Grice and was recovered by Gable. As time wound down, Gable attempted a 47-yard field goal to win the game but it was blocked by Darreon Jackson and the contest headed to overtime.

On the first possession, Pirates quarterback Glass ran four straight times. The fifth play was a handoff to Thomas who scored from two-yards away giving the Pirates a 38-32 lead. The extra point by Gable was no good, leaving the door open for Quad City.

Hilliard and Moore took over. Moore caught two passes on the drive and Hilliard ran twice. His final run was a one-yard touchdown plunge to tie the game. Naehu then came on to nail the point after, giving Quad City a 39-38 overtime victory.

For the Pirates Bennifield was the leading rusher with 32 yards on nine carries with two scores. Thomas added 22 yards on five carries with two rushing touchdowns. Bennifield was 10 of 17 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown. Glass finished four of six for 16 yards.

Carrington had four receptions for 50 yards while Owens had four catches for 37 and a touchdown. The leading tackler for the Pirates was Hughes who had ten stops including a sack, 1.5 tackles for a loss and an interception.

For the Steamwheelers, Hilliard was the leading rusher with 16 carries for 43 yards and three scores. He finished 10 of 17 passing for 146 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Moore was his top target with four catches and 46 receiving yards. Rudd added 50 yards on three receptions and a touchdown.

The Quad City defense was led by Sheets who had nine tackles, .5 tackles for a loss while forcing and recovering a fumble.



Indoor Football League Stories from July 23, 2022


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