Steamwheelers Media Lunch and Fan Event a Success
October 10, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
Judging by the turnout of local media and fans, the Quad City Steamwheelers' media lunch / fan "meet & greet" dinner event was a smashing success. As the 2007 Steamwheelers highlight video played on a projector screen at the front of the dining room, more than 70 fans and representatives from most local media outlets came to Portabella's Italian Bistro in Moline to get a first look at the new coaching staff and some of the players that led the 'Wheelers to the Midwest Division title this past season.
At the media lunch, local media came by to speak with new Head Coach Troy Biladeau and his growing staff. Introduced at the event were Shon King, who will be the team's Offensive Coordinator and QB/WR Coach after serving as WR coach last season, and Montra Edwards, who will be OL/DL and FB/LB Coach. (Both coaches' contracts are pending league approval.)
Nothing short of a legend in Quad City, "Mr. Saturday Night" played for the Steamwheelers' during their inaugural 2000 season, helping the team to a victory and MVP honors in ArenaCup1. He is ranked 1st all-time for the Steamwheelers in average yards per game (116.1), and since WR Kris Peters posted 40 TDs in '07, King sits at 2nd all-time in single-season TD receptions (38). He also holds single-game team records for most receiving yards (244), receiving TDs (7) and points (48), which all came during a 103-3 victory over the Greensboro Prowlers, the most lopsided victory in the history of professional football. In that same game, King also had a 54-yard KO return for a TD, giving him 8 total TDs on the day to set an all-time af2 record.
Edwards also boasts an impressive playing resume, spending 3 years in the af2 as an OL/DL for the af2's Greensboro Prowlers ('02), Rochester Brigade ('03), and Tulsa Talons ('04). In '04, he protected Talons QBs Bob Bees, Michael Wall and Ben Bowling on the way to a 13-3 regular season record. He even showed his athleticism by recovering a fumble for a TD that year, helping the Talons to the league's best record and an appearance in the National Conference Championship Game.
Also on hand for both events were some of the players from the 2007 Midwest Division Champion squad: QB J.J. Raterink, WR Kris Peters, and FB/LB Jeff MacRea, plus LB Kevin Talley and DB Malik Jackson. At the "meet & greet," the players met with fans and media to discuss last season's playoff run and their plans for the off-season and the future.
When asked by the media, Coach Biladeau expressed interest in bringing those players back, but noted that league rules prohibit coaches and teams from contacting players until after the free agent signing period begins November 1st. He also explained to fans that the team had to wait to announce any player assignments until the af2 league office had approved all contracts and transactions.
The players were present just to spend some time with their appreciative fans, who had Portabella's teeming with Steamwheelers t-shirts and jerseys. The coaches and players spent time with the fans, taking pictures and signing autographs. During the event, the 'Wheelers held a drawing for authentic game jersey, and 11-year-old season ticket holder Kaitlyn Hoots was the winner.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from October 10, 2007
- Boise Burn Hold Dance Team Auditions - Boise Burn
- Shock add former PAC-10 and SEC defensive linemen to the mix - Spokane Shock
- Steamwheelers Media Lunch and Fan Event a Success - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Derek Stingley Returns to Lead the Cats in '08 - South Georgia Wildcats
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.
