Steamwheelers Unveil New Logo, Assigned Players

November 20, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


DAVENPORT, Iowa -- It was a big day at the headquarters of the Quad City Steamwheelers. The team unveiled a new 5th Anniversary logo and were assigned five players.

The new logo salutes the 5th Anniversary for the Steamwheelers, as they are one of the charter teams of the arenafootball2 league.

The logo incorporates the elements of the regular logo as well as the number five indicating the 5th season. "We are looking forward to our fifth season," Managing Owner Operator Jim Foster said. "Some people say that the third time is the charm, we are hoping that the fifth time is the charm for a third ArenaCup."

Also announced at Thursday's press conference were the assignments of returning veterans Tim Dodge, Josh Fourdyce, Matt Forbes, and James Houston.

The Steamwheelers were also assigned newcomer Ricardo Harris. Tim Dodge returns for his second season with the following résumé:

2003: One third of the 1st trio in Arena Football history to top the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the same team in a single season. On offense totaled 80 receptions for 1,275 yards and 22 touchdowns, and 9 rushes for 28 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also returned 1 missed field goal for 11 yards.

Defensively totaled 82 tackles (67 unassisted, 15 assisted), 21 pass breakups, 4 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 5 interceptions.

College: Football- As a senior, played wide receiver in all 12 games.

Caught 13 passes for 138 yards including 4 catches for 26 yards in a victory over Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl. As a junior, started first nine games and played in all 12 games at cornerback. Recorded 45 tackles including 32 solo, broke up four passes, recovered two fumbles, and had two interceptions. Returned 12 kicks for 298 yards. As a sophomore, was a key member of the special teams along with seeing action at wide receiver.

Caught 3 passes for 29 yards. Returned 25 kicks for 583 yards and a 23.3 yard average. Also returned 6 punts for 63 yards including a blocked punt for a score against Nebraska.

Track- Awarded all-American honors in 1999 when the Iowa 4 x 400-meter relay team finished fourth at the NCAA outdoor championships. At the 2001 Big Ten outdoor track and field championships, ran the anchor leg for the 400-meter relay team that won the league title and placed second in 100-meter dash.

Also a member of 1600-meter relay team that qualified for 2001 NCAA outdoor championships. Was a member of 4 x 100-meter relay as well as the 4 x 400-meter relay teams that won Big Ten outdoor titles in 1999. Finished third in both the 200-meter and 400-meter dash at the Big Ten outdoors in 1999.

Personal: Was an all-state selection as a junior and senior at Rockwell-Swaledale High School in Britt, IA. Also won state Class 1A titles in long jump and 200 meters as a senior and earned Iowa Games title in 100-meters and long jump. Lettered four years in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Born August 7, 1978.

Josh Fourdyce returns for his fifth season, playing all five years with the Steamwheelers and the only "Original" to be assigned to the team so far in this off-season, his résumé includes:

2003: Rushed for 10 yards on 11 carries and 2 touchdowns with 2 receptions for 21 yards on offense. On defense totaled 31 tackles (15 unassisted, 16 assisted), 1 sack, 1 pass breakup and 2 fumble recoveries. 2002: Didn't play fully healthy until the last month of the season. Ended the year with 11 tackles, two quarterback hits and also recovered a fumble. Has scored one rushing and two passes for scores.

2001: Recorded 33 tackles including 2 for losses, and had 8.5 sacks. He also rushed 24 times for 84 yards and 4 TDs while hauling in 7 receptions for 72 yards in 15 games for the ‘Wheelers. His two sacks vs. the Carolina Rhinos are a Steamwheelers' playoff single-game record.

2000: Was hampered by injuries in 2000 and played in just four games. He carried the ball twice for 12 yards and made four tackles with a sack.

Other Pro Experience: Played in 1999 for the Indoor Football League's (IFL) Peoria Pirates where he excelled as a pass rusher and led his team in sacks. College: A standout at Knox College in Galesburg, Ill., where he was a two-time All-American performer at defensive end. Also twice named the Midwest Conference's Defensive Player of the Year.

Personal: A 1995 graduate of Westmer High School in Joy, Ill. Played defensive end and tight end for the Warriors while racking up All-Conference and All-Area accolades. Born in Aledo, Ill., October 3, 1977. Resides in the Quad Cities and coaches football part-time at Westmer.

Matt Forbes is coming off an injury shortened 2003 season with the following credentials:

2003: Was hampered by a minor tear in his MCL, sidelining him midway through the season. He came back for the final two games of the regular season and playoff game. He racked up 15 tackles, intercepted two passes, returning them for a combined 23 yards as well as adding six pass deflections.

College: Finished sixth in the nation in punt returns, and eleventh in interceptions at NAIA William Penn. He was named NAIA Player of the Week for snaring three interceptions and returning two of them for touchdowns in one game. He recorded the second highest punt return average in school history.

Personal: Forbes is a native to the Quad Cities area, as he was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa. He attended Davenport Assumption High School. He has a son, Tyus, who is four-years old. He works two jobs at Quad City Acceleration and at Lujack's Auto Plaza.

James Houston also battled injuries last season, but is back and is healthy as ever. Here is his previous experience:

2003: Battled injuries the majority of the season only playing in two games.

He was on the Long-Term Injured Reserve list for the remainder of the season. He caught one pass for 14 yards and recorded 1.5 tackles, one of which went for a loss of two yards. Will be a force this season, now that he is healthy.

College: Starred at William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, where he recorded over 50 tackles and had one interception in his 2001 season with the Statesmen. He also played at Ellsworth Community College for two years.

While there, he played both basketball and football. Personal: Born May 20, 1979 in Davenport, Iowa. Has two children, Jayden Houston (4-months) and Jiynaha CanFossen (4 years old). Received his degree in Sociology/Criminology from William Penn. Graduated from Davenport West High School where he starred at football, basketball and track.

New to the Steamwheelers this season is Ricardo Harris. Harris had an outstanding career at McKendree College of the NAIA, rival to local St. Ambrose in football, he brings numerous awards to the table:

2004 Season Expectations: Will look to compete for one of the starting spots on the O-Line and D-Line. He is a powerful force with a solid body that can move people around.

College: Harris comes from one of the prestige programs in the NAIA, McKendree College. In 2002, he was named the Mid-States Football Association Player of the Year, while being named First-Team All-America.

Harris also was named to the First-Team All-MSFA. That season, he recorded 57 total tackles, 12 of them for a loss of 68 yards, including 5.5 sacks combined for a loss of 57 yards. He added two pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery; helping lead the Bearcats to an 11-2 record and a playoff berth. In 2001, he was an All-American Honorable Mention and 1st Team All-MSFA. He recorded 54 tackles, 11 of those going for a loss of 48 yards as well as adding 7 sacks for a combined loss of 41 yards. He forced two fumbles recovering both of them, added a safety and a pass breakup, leading the Bearcats to an 8-3 record.

Personal: Harris hails from East Moline, Ill. where he attended United Township High School.

The Steamwheelers are in preparation for their 5th Season, which will be underway next spring. Season tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Steamwheelers Front Offices, located at 200 West Third Street, Davenport, Iowa or by calling 563-324-4888.



arenafootball2 Stories from November 20, 2003


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.

OurSports Central