Quad City Steamwheelers Ground Everett Hawks, 63-54
May 18, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
(Moline, Ill.) - The Quad City Steamwheelers improved to 4-3 on the season after defeating the Everett Hawks 63-54 in front of 3,501 fans at The MARK of the Quad Cities on Friday, May 18. The Steamwheelers jumped out to a 49-20 lead at the half and hung on in the second half for the victory.
Quad City quarterback J.J. Raterink earned Schutt Offensive Player of the Game honors for his 243 yard, five touchdown performance. Raterink hooked up with wide receiver Kris Peters for four touchdown passes on the evening, including three in the first half.
The Steamwheelers scored on eight of its first nine possessions starting with a seven yard pass to Peters to open the game, just two minutes and 14 seconds into the contest. After wide receiver Jack Walker Jr., added a 10-yard run to extend the 'Wheelers lead to 14-0, Everett quarterback, Jason Campbell, found Josh Richey on a one play 43-yard pass to pull the Hawks within eight after the missed two-point conversion attempt. Peters closed out the first quarter scoring after catching an eight-yard pass with just 37 seconds remaining to put Quad City up 20-6.
After Tali Atoe scored to open the second quarter for the Hawks the Steamwheelers extended the lead with a 34-yard pass to Walker Jr., and a Sidney Lewis 33-yard fumble return for a touchdown to make it a 33-14 game. Two plays later Richey, who finished the night with a game-high 236 yards and five touchdowns on 18 catches, hauled in a 29-yard pass to pull the Hawks within 13. The Steamwheelers closed out the first half with 17 unanswered points, including a 14-yard pass to Peters, a fumble recovery in the end zone for Walker Jr., and a 23-yard field-goal by emergency kicker Connor McCormick.
With the 'Wheelers leading 49-20, the Hawks battled back outscoring Quad City 34-14 in the second half, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 'Wheelers first half offensive onslaught. Rookie Warren Holloway opened the second half with a nine-yard touchdown reception. After a Raterink fumble that was recovered by the Hawk's Via Notoa on the 25-yard line the Hawks jumped back in the game with another Richey touchdown to pull within 15 at 49-34. Peters caught his fourth touchdown pass of the night with 2:17 remaining to put Quad City up 56-42.
After Notoa opened the fourth quarter with a one-yard run, Richey pulled the Hawks to within eight after he caught an 18-yard pass from Campbell. Lavar Stepter put the game out of reach on a four-yard rush with 3:22 remaining to give Quad City the 63-48 lead. Richey added a 25-yard touchdown pass with just eight seconds remaining, but after the missed two-point conversion the Hawk's kicked the ball deep and the Steamwheelers ran out the clock.
Walker Jr., earned U.S. Army Ironman of the game honors for his 118 total offensive yards (108 receiving and 10 rushing), two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving) and fumble recovery. Sidney Lewis earned ADT Defensive Player of the Game honors for his five total tackles, one forced fumble, 33-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and an interception.
For the Hawks Campbell finished with 321 yards passing, six touchdowns and two interceptions, while Larue Burley had a game-high nine tackles in addition to his forced fumble and fumble recovery.
The Quad City Steamwheelers return to action on Friday, May 25 against the Louisville Fire at The MARK of the Quad Cities for the second of three straight home games. Tickets are currently available at The MARK box office, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and all Ticket Master locations.
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