Steamwheelers rebound with victory over Blizzard

May 1, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


MOLINE, Ill. – The Quad City Steamwheelers had a major turn of events on Saturday night. After a disappointing outing a week prior at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, where the Steamwheelers lost 40-27, the ‘Wheelers pulled a 180 as they steamed the Green Bay Blizzard 47-26.

The win, which came in front of 5,853 fans at The MARK of the Quad Cities, was the 10th straight home regular season victory for the Steamwheelers.

Baby Ruth Real Deal Player of the Game, Steamwheelers offensive specialist Jeff Hewitt was one of many ‘Wheelers who had a major turnaround in performance. After catching two balls for 23 yards in Wilkes-Barre, Hewitt caught nine passes for 128 yards and three touchdowns and returned four kicks for 94 yards against the Blizzard. Hewitt also rushed for a score as well.

After getting beat up by the Pioneers defensive line and having the worst game of his career, Steamwheelers quarterback Ronnie Gordon completed 16 of 27 passes for 224 yards, four going for touchdowns. Gordon also added a rushing touchdown.

U.S. Army Ironman of the Game, fullback/linebacker Brian Berg rushed three times for 19 yards and a touchdown and had 1.5 tackles and three quarterback hurries on defense.

The Steamwheelers defense got back into it's routine this weekend, only allowing the 26 points, bringing their defensive average to 33.8 for the season.

Defensive specialists Danny Thomas and Matt Forbes had two solid nights.

Thomas was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game as he recorded a tackle, recovered a fumble, had an interception and added a pass deflection.

Forbes led all tacklers with eight, had two key interceptions, five pass deflections and a forced fumble.

After the Blizzard won the toss, they deferred to the second half and chose to kickoff. The move paid off as Hewitt fumbled the opening kickoff, and Krauss recovered the ball at the 25-yard line. From there the teams traded scores twice and after a quarter of play, the score was knotted at 14.

The teams traded scores yet again to start the second quarter. All three of the next possessions were stopped by interceptions. Thomas had his first with 53 seconds remaining in the half. Then Gordon threw his only interception of the game, as he was picked off by Blizzard defensive specialist Lemont Hudgins on the very next play.

Then five plays later, Forbes got his first interception. The teams went into the locker room with the ‘Wheelers leading 21-20.

Then the ‘Wheelers defense really took over. The Blizzard failed to capitalize on their first possession of the half and Krauss missed a 48-yard field goal. Five plays later the ‘Wheelers struck. Gordon was looking for a cutting Tim Dodge, but the pass tipped off of Dodge's fingers and fell right into the hands of wide receiver/linebacker Carmelo Ocasio for a 14-yard score.

The Steamwheelers "D" got another stop on the Blizzard's next possession, forcing Krauss to attempt a 61-yard field goal attempt. The kick fell well short and Hewitt returned it 26 yards to the Blizzard 22-yard line.

It took six plays, five rushing, before Gordon scampered two yards for the score. The ‘Wheelers defense shut out the Blizzard in the third quarter and found themselves up 34-20 going into the final frame.

The fourth quarter did not start out well for the Blizzard. Quarterback Dennis Gile completed a pass to former Steamwheelers offensive specialist Randall Lane, but Lane was met by his good friend Forbes. Forbes stripped the ball loose, with Thomas making the recovery.

The Steamwheelers pushed their lead to 40-20 when Gordon hooked up with Hewitt for an 18 yard score.

The teams traded scores and Forbes added the nail in the coffin with his second interception just under four minutes remaining in the game.

Dodge was held scoreless for the first time this season, but caught four passes for 54 yards.

Heading the list for the Blizzard was Lane, who caught nine passes for a game-high 144 yards and three scores. The ‘Wheelers defense held Gile to 15 of 39 passing for 193 yards and four touchdowns.

Next week the ‘Wheelers will battle archrival Peoria for the "Ruler of the River" trophy. Friday nights game at the Peoria Civic Center will kickoff at 7 p.m. The game will also be broadcast over most of Iowa and western Illinois on Mediacom. Be sure to check your local listings for the Mediacom channel in your area.



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