Steamwheelers Open With a Bang
April 4, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â In the latest arenafootball2 coaches poll, the Quad City Steamwheelers were ranked the leagues top team. They wasted no time in proving that as they stormed out to a 41-20 lead midway through the second quarter and never looked back as they defeated the Manchester Wolves 71-32 on Saturday night.
It was the Steamwheelers Fifth Anniversary season opener and a crowd of 5,872 was on hand to watch a âWheelers team throttle the visiting Wolves.
ADT Defensive Player of the Game and defensive specialist Danny Thomas forced a fumble with six minutes, 18 seconds to go in the first half to help the Steamwheelers add to their already 18 point lead.
Wolves quarterback Chris Sanders completed a pass to George Williams, but Thomas out muscled Williams to strip the ball away. Steamwheelers offensive lineman/defensive lineman Harvie Herrington fell on the ball at the Wolves 18-yard line.
From there the Steamwheelers offense took advantage of the turnover on the very next play when Ronnie Gordon hooked up with Tim Dodge for a 23 yard touchdown pass and catch to increase their lead to 35-20.
Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game Jeff Hewitt gave the Steamwheelers their final score before halftime returning a kick 58 yards for a touchdown, giving the Steamwheelers a 48-26 at the break. Hewitt finished the game with four receptions for 104 yards and three touchdowns. He also accounted for six kick returns for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
The Steamwheelers defense came up big in the second half forcing two safeties. Leading the defensive pass rush was U.S. Army Ironman of the Game Harvie Herrington, who finished the game with a sack, a fumble recovery, and three quarterback hurries.
The Steamwheelers offense continued to role in the second half behind the arm of Matt Pike, who took over for starting quarterback Ronnie Gordon after he suffered a high ankle sprain during the third quarter. Pike stepped in and completed three passes on five attempts for 56 yards and two touchdowns.
af2 rookie Jeremy Conley snagged Pike's final touchdown pass of the night with about six minutes left to go in the game putting the Steamwheelers up 71-26. Manchester would add a late touchdown to make the final score 71-32.
These two teams will square off in week 2 of the af2 season next Saturday in Manchester, NH at 6:30 CDT.
About Arena Football League
Often recognized as one of the nation's most affordable and fan-friendly sports leagues, the Arena Football League, the second-longest running football league in U.S. history, is in its 18th season. On the strength of its Mission Statement and Fans' Bill of Rights, the AFL is America's fastest growing sport. The Austin Wranglers join the Philadelphia Soul and New Orleans VooDoo as the three expansion teams added for the 2004 season. At least two more teams will be added in each of the next two seasons. A network-TV sport, the AFL is currently celebrating its second season on NBC in 2004.
The arenafootball2 league is in its Fifth Anniversary season and serves as the AFL's developmental league. The arenafootball2 (af2) league consists of 25 teams in medium-sized markets with the purpose of training players, coaches and officials for higher levels of football. Several former af2 coaches have joined AFL teams and more than 175 players have advanced to the AFL over the past three years.
Several players have moved on to the NFL from the af2 including the âWheelers standout defensive rush end in 2003, Asa Francis, who last month signed with the Buffalo Bills to play in NFL Europe this spring.
The Steamwheelers are gearing up for their Fifth Anniversary season as one of the charter members of the league. Season tickets are currently on sale starting as low as $54. Fans interested in purchasing season tickets may contact Steamwheelers Director of Ticket Sales Brian Forth at 563-324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For all the up to the minute Steamwheelers news, visit www.steamwheelers.com.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from April 4, 2004
- Dorados Break the Law 37-6 - Rio Grande Valley Dorados
- Steamwheelers Open With a Bang - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Dorados Beat Law - Laredo Law
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.
