Three-Game Winning Streak Snapped With 58-48 Loss to Amarillo

May 8, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release


AMARILLO, Texas. — The Quad City Steamwheelers saw their three-game winning streak was snapped in exasperating fashion on Saturday night with a 58-48 loss to the Amarillo Dusters at the Amarillo Civic Center. For the second straight week, the game was tied in the final minute, but this time the ‘Wheelers would not have luck on their side.

Amarillo quarterback Julian Reese, who entered the game with an af2-best 12 rushing touchdowns, added three rushing scores to that total and threw for three more to pace the Dusters who improved to 4-1 with the win. But despite Reese's play, it was Jeremy Hershey's 29-yard field goal with eight seconds left that provided the difference between the two teams.

Nick Gatto, whose last-second field goal won the game for Quad City a week ago, had a chance to send the game to overtime, but his 45-yard attempt on the game's final play was wide, giving the Dusters the victory. With the result no longer in question, Kendrick Walker took the ball off the net and ran it back for the score to give the game its final scoreline of 58-48.

The loss takes much of the luster off of what had been a great game by quarterback Sam Clemons. The former Western Illinois signal caller passed for 209 yards and five touchdowns, and added his first running score of the season to put the Steamwheelers in a position to win the game. However, on a crucial third down play in the game's final minute, Clemons had a pass batted up into the air by an Amarillo defensive lineman. Clemons caught the deflection and took off running for a first down before being hit from behind. The ball came loose as Clemons hit the turf, but the referees ruled that the Steamwheelers' quarterback was not down before the ball came out, giving the ball to the Dusters, and setting the stage for Hershey's game-winning kick.

That was the second controversial play of the final two minutes, and the second to go against the ‘Wheelers. Quad City was leading 48-41 as the Dusters were driving for the game-tying touchdown. On a first-and-ten from the 14 yard line, Reese tried to rifle a pass to wide receiver Jarrod Rouanzion in the back of the end zone. The pass hit Rouanzoin's hands and bounced up off of the catch net before coming back down. Matt Forbes appeared to intercept the ball before it hit the turf, but the officials ruled that the ball hit the back boards before Forbes had control, thus giving the Dusters another chance to tie the score. Six plays later they would take advantage of that chance as Reese tallied his third score of the night on a fourth and goal run from the two-yard line, leveling the score at 48-48 and setting the stage for the game's wild finish.

Quad City now finds itself alone in third place in the Midwest Division at 3-2, a game behind the Dusters and even further back of the first place Memphis Xplorers (5-1) who defeated Oklahoma City earlier on the night.

The Steamwheelers return to action next Saturday, May 4 at 7:30 later when they take on the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers in a much anticipated rematch at OS Field at The MARK of the Quad Cities. Tickets for this game and all other Steamwheeler home games on sale now. To purchase season and group tickets or for more information about the Steamwheelers, call the Steamwheelers office at (563) 324-4888 or toll free at 1-866-STEAMTIX. For single game tickets please call or visit The MARK of the Quad Cities box office or any TicketMaster location.



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