Quad City Steamwheelers Start Season 2-0 After Defeating the Spokane Shock, 60-45
April 7, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
The Quad City Steamwheelers jumped out to a 2-0 start for the first time since 2004 after defeating the defending ArenaCup Champion Spokane Shock, 60-45 in front of 10,560 fans at Veterans Arena in Spokane.
The Steamwheelers defense led the Steamwheelers to victory after registering four picks on the evening. Defensive back Sidney Lewis notched two picks, while Kevin Adams and Antwan Allen each added one.
The teams played a close game throughout the first three quarters before the Steamwheelers started to pull away. With the two teams tied at 27 late in the third quarter Quad City quarterback J.J. Raterink threw three touchdown passes, include back-to-back passes to wide receiver Kris Peters, to give the Steamwheelers a 47-27 lead.
A nine-yard touchdown run by Jermaine Petty and a 16-yard kick off return for a touchdown by Jack Walker Jr. were sandwiched between three touchdown catches by Spokane's Raul Vijil to produce the final score of 60-45.
The Steamwheelers scored first after Adams picked off a Spokane pass in the end zone. The interception setup a six play 36 yard drive that culminated with a Peters 13-yard touchdown score with 4:38 left in the first quarter.
After Vijil caught his first of four touchdowns on the night to tie the game with no time remaining in the first quarter, offensive lineman Kika Kaululaau tallied his first-ever touchdown reception as a 'Wheeler to start the second quarter. With the teams tied at seven each, Ponder lined Kaululaau up at a wide receiver position on a first and goal play from the six yard line. Kaululaau caught the ball for a touchdown to give the Steamwheelers a 14-7 advantage.
After continuing to trade touchdowns the Steamwheelers would take a slight 21-20 lead into the locker room at the half thanks to a missed extra point attempt by Spokane on the last touchdown of the half.
The teams traded rushing touchdowns to open the second with Jeff Macrea registering his first touchdown of the season on a one-yard run for the 'Wheelers and Ben Brown allowing Spokane to tie the game at 27-27 on a two-yard touchdown run.
The Steamwheelers Raterink finished the game with 260 yards and five touchdowns on 21 completions. His favorite target was Peters who finished with his second straight 100+ receiving game by tallying 132 yards and three TD's on nine catches. Lewis led the Quad City defense with two interceptions and 7.5 tackles. Allen and Adams each finished with 5.5 tackles and one interception.
For Spokane quarterback Andrico Hines finished with 240 yards and three touchdown passes before being pulled after throwing four interceptions. Matt Gurierrez stepped in and threw for 133 yards and three touchdowns on nine completions. Antwone Savage and Vijil led the Shock receiving corps. Savage tallied 169 yards and two TD's on 11 receptions, while Vijil finished with 154 yards and four TD's on 13 completions.
Petty was named the Olympic Steel Man of the Game for the Quad City Steamwheelers for notching 26 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while also picking up three tackles and a sack on defense.
The Steamwheelers return home for the season opener against the Boise Burn on Friday, April 13 at The MARK of the Quad Cities. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 and tickets start as low as $10 for adults and $5 for children.
arenafootball2 Stories from April 7, 2007
- Steamwheelers Snap Shock's Seven Game Home Streak - Spokane Shock
- Quad City Steamwheelers Start Season 2-0 After Defeating the Spokane Shock, 60-45 - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Amarillo Leaves Lubbock in the Dust 61-26 - Lubbock Renegades
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.
