IFL Quad City Steamwheelers

Steamwheelers Travel to San Diego for First Road Game of 2023

Published on March 24, 2023 under Indoor Football League (IFL)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


Following a 60-53 loss vs. the Arizona Rattlers in the 2023 season opener, the Quad City Steamwheelers will travel to San Diego to play a team they haven't faced since Week 1 of the 2019 IFL season-the Strike Force. The last time these two teams met, the Steamwheelers walked away with a 67-49 victory.

In the season opener against Arizona, quarterback E.J. Hilliard showed no signs of slowing down from the elite form that saw him capture IFL Offensive Player of the Year honors during his last two active seasons (2019, 2022). He produced 6 total touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing) and threw 0 interceptions against one of the most dominant defenses in the IFL.

Free agent acquisition Jarrod Harrington showed return on investment immediately, totaling 80 yards on three kick returns and scoring touchdowns both through the air and on the ground. Four different Steamwheelers caught touchdowns: Harrington, Keyvan Rudd, Mike Carrigan and C.J. Windham.

Windham led the Wheelers in receptions (6) and receiving yards (95) -earning Strongman of the Game honors in his Quad City debut.

Linebacker Nate Sheets, who led the IFL in total tackles last season (101.5), again led the Wheelers with 8 total tackles. Veteran defensive back Darren Jackson and first-time Wheeler Ken Gladney Jr. both broke us 2 passes each.

As the Strike Force work to determine their starting quarterback for the 2023 season, the Steamwheelers must prepare for the possibility of facing a former member of the sQUAD CITY family-quarterback Aaron Aiken. In 2022, Aiken scored 7 total touchdowns (3 passing, 4 rushing). In Week 5, his 3 touchdown/0 interception performance was pivotal in helping the Wheelers secure a 34-24 win over the Sioux Falls Storm.

San Diego also signed former Rattlers quarterback, Demry Croft. In 2022, Croft completed 65.0% of his passes, averaged 11.4 yards per attempt, threw 7 touchdown passes to 2 interceptions and finished the year with a 103.8 passer rating. Whether the Wheelers end up facing Aiken, Croft or both, they'll be in for a tremendous challenge.

What will happen when the defending Eastern Conference Champions of the IFL take the road in the hopes of securing their first win of the 2023 season? Tune in Sunday March 26th at 5:05 PM CT to find out.

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Indoor Football League Stories from March 24, 2023


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