Steamwheelers Weekly Report

Published on July 19, 2004 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


Recap: Prior to last Saturday night's game, Quad City Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold guaranteed that the Steamwheelers would win their final two games of the season and the Midwest Division. After this past weekend's game, the Steamwheelers are halfway home on making the guarantee a realization. The Steamwheelers sent the Birmingham Steeldogs running with their tails between their legs in a 56-22 rout in front of 5,795 fans at The MARK of the Quad Cities. The win improved the Steamwheelers 9-6 and dropped the Steeldogs to 9-5. Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game, Steamwheelers quarterback Ronnie Gordon rushed for three scores and completed 17-of-28 passes for 213 yards and two touchdowns. Gordon completed passes to six different receivers, including offensive lineman/defensive lineman Jamaal Cherry, who hauled in a 12-yard touchdown pass.

Next Up: With only two weeks left to go in the season, the Steamwheelers get to take a week off. Most of the players have returned home for the final "bye" week of the season, which could not have came at a better time. A good share of Steamwheelers players are banged up and will take this week to heal up some injuries. The Steamwheelers will return to action on July 31 when they host the Louisville Fire in the final regular season game for both teams. The game will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at The MARK of the Quad Cities.

Last Time: The last time that the Steamwheelers had a "bye" week, it came on the weekend of May 28-29. That "bye" week was sandwiched around two losses. The first was a 62-52 heartbreaking loss to the San Diego Riptide in San Diego, then, two weeks later, the Steamwheelers suffered another heartbreaker. The second came on the road as well, at Louisville, and was even tougher to swallow. The Steamwheelers lost 62-61 in an Arena Football classic, which went down to the wire.

Total Offensive Specialist: Steamwheelers offensive specialist Jeff Hewitt needs a new title after this past weekend's game against the Steeldogs. Hewitt should have the title of "Total Offensive Specialist." About the only thing that Hewitt didn't do Saturday night on offense was attempt a pass. Hewitt caught four passes for 74 yards, had a 4-yard touchdown run, and returned a kickoff 13 yards. Looking at those numbers, it is just another night for any offensive specialist. But that was not all the Hewitt did. After kicker Ryan Geisler suffered a strained hamstring in the third quarter on a missed extra point, Geisler was sent out to try another one. With an ailing leg, Geisler missed the extra point. When the Steamwheelers scored again, coach Rich Ingold looked to his offensive specialist to attempt the extra point. Hewitt, who played soccer all the way through high school, drilled the PAT right down the middle of the pipes to push the Steamwheelers lead to 56-15. Hewitt then attempted two field goals in the fourth quarter, one a 32-yarder that missed off the left net, the other a 24-yarder that just missed, hitting to the left of the left upright. Hewitt may not have the job for long, as it is said that Geisler will be okay for the regular season finale on July 31.

Ironman: Steamwheelers wide receiver/defensive back Tim Dodge is beginning to make a name for himself and the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game award. For the sixth consecutive week, Dodge was named the game's U.S. Army Ironman of the Game. The streak began on June 12 against the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers and has continued through this past weekend. Dodge caught three passes for 31 yards and had 4.5 tackles, an interception and three pass deflections on defense. Dodge has won one other game award this season – Baby Ruth Real Deal Offensive Player of the Game – on April 17 against Tennessee Valley. In that game, he caught eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns and had two tackles on defense.

Gordon Back On Track: Steamwheelers quarterback Ronnie Gordon has already had a career season when it comes to rushing. He already has set Steamwheelers single season and career marks in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Entering this past weekend's game, Gordon needed eight rushing touchdowns to match the af2 single season record. Gordon made a great push to tie the record as he rushed for three touchdowns in a 56-22 win over Birmingham, pulling him to within five of tying the record. Gordon will have one game to tie or break Cape Fear's Wilmont Perry's record of 28 set last season. Gordon is currently tied for fourth best in an af2 single season with Bossier City's Sherard Poteete.

Upcoming Steamwheelers Appearances: With a "bye" week, the Steamwheelers will have a light week as most of the players have returned home for the week off. Tuesday through Saturday, Steamwheeler Willie will be at the Rock Island County fair interacting with the children. Then on Friday night, Willie will be in action at the Muscatine County Fair at the Chris LeDoux concert.

Practice Times: Coach Ingold and the Steamwheelers will take Monday through Thursday off from practice for the "bye" week. They will practice Friday and Saturday at The MARK of the Quad Cities. Both sessions will be shorter than normal in length. Both practices will start at 5 p.m. and run for no more than an hour. Most players begin to arrive at practice around 4:30 p.m. and are around after practice for at least 20 minutes. Interviews are best to be conducted before or after practice. If there are any problems, contact Steamwheelers Media Relations Manager Ryan Holtmann.

Travel Plans: The Steamwheelers be home for the rest of the regular season with only a short trip over the I-74 Bridge to worry about. The last regular season home game will be held at The MARK of the Quad Cities.

On the Air: "In the Boiler Room" is back in action after taking last Monday night off for the holiday weekend. "Voice of the Steam" Jim Albracht returns to the action tonight with selected Steamwheelers players and a possible call to coach Rich Ingold, who is back home in Pittsburgh, Pa. The show will air as usual on FOX Sports Radio AM 1230 at 7 p.m. You can also listen in to Q106.5's Dwyer and Michaels every morning as they discuss the ‘Wheelers periodically on the "Mornings with Dwyer and Michaels" show that runs from 5:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Also, the "Voice of the Steam" Jim Albracht also hosts "Albracht in the AM" from 5:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. on WOC 1420 AM. Throughout the show he discusses a variety of topics as well as the Steamwheelers. Every Sunday night on NBC affiliate KWQC-TV6, following the 10 p.m. news, sports director Thom Cornelis hosts ‘Wheeler Watch" which features highlights of the previous weekend's game and a discussion with head coach Rich Ingold.

Media Requests: Any member of the accredited media that wishes to set up an interview with a Steamwheelers player, coach or staff member may contact Steamwheelers Media Relations Manager Ryan Holtmann at 563-324-4888 (office) or 563-570-0930 (cell phone). Most players are available throughout the day, pending their other profession.

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