Quad City Steamwheelers Huddle
June 12, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
Quad City Streaks: Kris Peters extended his streak of at least one touchdown reception and 100+ receiving yards to six games ... Tim Dodge has caught at least one receiving touchdown in the past five games.
Injury Update: Both Jeff Macrea and Tim Hicks left the game early last Saturday due to injury. Macrea injured his leg and had to be taken to a local hospital on a stretcher. Early tests were positive and he is scheduled to undergo an MRI this afternoon and results are due in tomorrow. Hicks, who suffered a mild concussion on the last play of the third quarter, appears to be fine and is expected to play this weekend in Wilkes-Barre.
A Small Set Back but Still Aiming High: After leaving the game on the last play of the third quarter due to an injury, Hicks is still on pace to break the team and league records for yards passing in a season. However, his 2,923 yards on the season was surpassed by Albany's quarterback, Ryan Vena, who now has 2,965 yards passing on the season. Hicks needs 1,408 yards to break the team record and is on pace to finish with 4,677 yards, 188 yards over the current league record of 4,489.
And the Award Goes To...: Tim Dodge took home three of the four possible awards against the Manchester Wolves this past weekend. The wide receiver/defensive back was awarded the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, U.S. Army Ironman of the Game and the Cutter's Catch of the Game awards for his performance. Dodge's four touchdown catches was tied for a team-high this season. He also forced and recovered a key fumble with 23 seconds remaining in the half, setting up his acrobatic 27-yard touchdown catch, the catch of the game, with just 15 seconds left in the half giving Quad City a 27-26 lead. The lead was extended to 29-26 on the two-point conversion pass to Jack Walker Jr.
Scouting the Pioneers: The fifth-ranked Wilkes-Barre Scranton Pioneers in last week's coaches poll is in first place in the American East with a 7-3 record and in third place in the American Conference. After starting out the season 5-0 the Pioneers, who are led by former Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold, are 2-3 in their last five. Offensively, the Pioneers are 14th in scoring offense (46.4) and 19th in total offense (228.2). Quarterback Mike Granieri has thrown for 2,184 yards and 41 touchdowns, however, he is tied for second in the af2 for interceptions thrown with 13. Granieri's favorite receiver is J.R. Thomas, who has caught 17 touchdown passes on the season. The Pioneers boast a team that is tied for fourth in the af2 in rushing touchdowns with 22. Granieri is ahead of the pack with eight.
The defense is where the Pioneers really shine. They are fifth in the af2 in scoring defense, giving up only 43.6 points a game and have the third best red zone defense in the league. Jamie Hattley is 10th in the af2 averaging 5.7 tackles a game. He has tallied a total of 56.5 on the season. Former Steamwheeler standout, Matt Forbes, is playing a key role for the Pioneers this season as well. Forbes is leading the team in interceptions (four) and pass breakups (10). He is also third in total tackles with 40.5.
Recent Steamwheeler Transactions: 6/8 Placed Maurice Harris on Short-Term IR, Assigned Ty Ardoin (DS); 6/6 Activated Maurice Harris from Short-Term IR, Transferred Alfonso Pugh from Short-Term to Long-Term IR; 5/24 Traded Future Considerations to Green Bay for Jermaine Petty; 5/22 Placed Gustavus Tyson on Recallable Re-Assignment; 5/18 Placed Maurice Harris on Short-Term IR, Assigned Lavar Stepter (DS); 5/16 Assigned Maurice Harris (OL/DL), Placed Alfonso Pugh on Short-Term IR; 5/12 Activated Patrick Horne from Short-Term IR; 5/11 Traded to Oklahoma City Tristan Solo for Future Considerations, Traded to Green Bay Ryan Bell for Future Considerations, Placed Reggie Perkins on Team Suspension, Activated Matt Manuma from Long-Term IR, Placed Marcus Thurman on Recallable Re-Assignment.
Get 'em while their hot: Single game tickets are currently on sale. Tickets start as low as $13.00 for adults and $6.50 for children 14 and under. In addition, high school and college students with a valid student ID can purchase one upper deck ticket for $3.00 off the regular ticket price per ID.
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