Steamwheelers Tumble To Third In Poll After Loss
May 26, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa â After regaining the number one ranking last week in the af2's Coaches' Poll, the Quad City Steamwheelers gave it right back after a 62-52 loss to the San Diego Riptide last weekend. The âWheelers fell to third in the latest poll with a 6-2 record entering their "bye" week. The âWheelers still managed two first place votes and a total of 206 points. But the âWheelers are beginning to think that being number one may be jinxed.
"As far as I am concerned, I don't even want it the rest of the season," Steamwheelers Associate Head Coach and Line Coach Jon Roehlk said on the WFXN AM 1230 post-game radio show. "That thing is cursed or something."
He is all but right. Since the âWheelers last held the top spot, the ranking has changed hands four times and after the release of the Week 9 poll, make it five.
Taking over the top spot was the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers, who received 276 points, and 18 first place votes. It is the second time this season the Pioneers have stood atop the Coaches' Poll. With an 33-point margin over the Birmingham Steeldogs, the Pioneers have sole proprietorship atop the af2.
The Steeldogs made a steal of their own going from fifth to second this week. They accumulated 243 points and four first place votes after winning their sixth straight game. The "Wheelers will have a chance to knock of Birmingham on July 17 at The MARK.
Rounding out the top half was Louisville (5-2), who moved up two spots from last week to fourth with 190 points. After being ninth last week, Oklahoma City made the biggest move and jumped to fifth. Hawaii, who received 151 points, moved from eighth to sixth.
Following Hawaii, the Florida Firecats shot up three spots to the seventh spot. Tennessee Valley and Wichita, both losing this past weekend and falling to 5-2, dropped five spots each and are in the eighth and ninth spots respectively.
The Memphis Xplorers, moved up two spots from last week and secured the tenth spot. Dropping four spots and ranked No. 11, were the Cape Fear Wildcats (3-3). The Tulsa Talons return to the Coaches' Poll this week as the No. 12 team after not making the cut last week.
The Week 9 poll saw several changes among top teams and sets the mood for an exciting week this weekend. There are three games scheduled between the top twelve teams. The No. 1 and 4 seeds (Pioneers and Fire) will see each other in action Saturday night, as will No. 2 seed Birmingham and No. 8 seed Tennessee Valley. Rounding out the Top 12 rivalry will be the No. 10-ranked Xplorers traveling to sunny-side Florida to face the Firecats Saturday night.
With a "bye" week for the âWheelers, they will have plenty of time to get rested and healthy before a tough road trip to No. 4-ranked Louisville. The top ranked Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers come to The Mark on June 12. The âWheelers competition doesn't slack off in the second half of the season, they will play the Louisville Fire twice in less than a months time and will play at rival Tennessee Valley on July 10 and Birmingham on July 17.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from May 26, 2004
- Murray: Play for it all or go home - Central Valley Coyotes
- Former 'Wheelers Making Final Push To ArenaBowl - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Steamwheelers Tumble To Third In Poll After Loss - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Trey Merkins â Born To Play Football - Laredo Law
- Pioneers to "camp out to sell out" for fallen soldier - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
- The deuce scoop - af2
- Will history repeat itself for Coyotes? - Central Valley Coyotes
- Knights Make Roster Moves Including Another Quarterback Trade - Macon Knights
- Wolves add to fun with visit from Sugar Hill Speedway this Friday - Manchester Wolves
- Florida Firecats game notes - Florida Firecats
- Bucks & Law Out & About - Laredo Law
- Albany Conquest goes for four - Albany Firebirds
- Q&A with James Landers - Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz
- Hawaiian Islanders game notes - Hawaiian Islanders
- Pioneers Reclaim #1 Ranking in af2 - Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers
- 2004 Wide Receiver Comparison - Central Valley Coyotes
- 6-1 Pioneers voted No. 1 in Week 9 Poll - af2
- Riptide rolls into Hawaii - San Diego Riptide
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.
