Two Pirates Jump Ship, Added to Steamwheelers Roster
November 3, 2003 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Quad City Steamwheelers News Release
DAVENPORT, Iowa – Three players did it in the 2003 season, and now two players have done it in the off-season. Two former Peoria Pirates have jumped ship and signed with the Quad City Steamwheelers for 2004.
The Steamwheelers were assigned QB Matt Pike and WR/LB Charles Sheffield for the 2004 season.
“They live together and are good buddies,” Ingold said. “They are two experienced Arena Football players who will really help out our younger guys.”
Pike and Sheffield bring a combined six years of af2 experience to the table. Pike also quarterbacked two years in the Arena Football League.
“These are both guys who bring a lot of experience to the table,” Ingold said.
Sheffield is in his third season in the af2 and is coming off a 2003 season in which he caught 22 passes for 373 yards, six going for touchdowns. His 373 yards ranked fourth on the 2003 Pirates team.
“I remember in last years game when Peoria played us here at The MARK (a 55-52 victory for the Steamwheelers), he made every tackle on kickoff coverage it seemed like,” Ingold said. “He has a nasty temperament, and is a tough, hard-nosed football player.
“He is my kind of guy, tough and nasty on the football field.”
Pike started his Arena Football career with the Tampa Bay Storm of the AFL in 1997 and continued with them in 1998. The af2Â’s Louisville Fire then picked him up in 2000 and 2001. While there, he passed for 2,604 yards and 45 touchdowns.
In 2002, Pike moved onto to play with the Pirates for two seasons. However, his 2003 season was cut short due to a severe back injury he suffered in a May 17th game vs. the Greensboro Prowlers. In the five games that Pike played in, he threw for 63 yards on 8-of-22 passing, a touchdown and an interception.
“He says that he is ready to go,” Ingold said of Pike making a return in 2004. “He should recover nicely from his injury. “He is an experienced guy who can throw the football well and will have plenty of targets to throw to next season.”
Pike will be competing with last yearÂ’s backup quarterback and good friend Ronnie Gordon.
“They are good friends and know each other well,” Ingold said. “Together, those two have a load of Arena Football experience.”
K Paul Savich, OL/DL Scott Tyrch and DS Sydney Lewis were the three 2003 Pirates who started the 2003 season in Peoria prior to joining the Steamwheelers.
• Discuss this story on the arenafootball2 message board...
arenafootball2 Stories from November 3, 2003
- Neal Joins Douzart and Porter in New Orleans - Macon Knights
- Islanders Extends Head Coach Cal Lee's Contract for 2004 Season - Hawaiian Islanders
- Two Pirates Jump Ship, Added to Steamwheelers Roster - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Steamwheelers Add Iowa State Standout - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Steamwheelers Make First Addition To 2004 Roster - Quad City Steamwheelers
- Steamwheelers Begin To Reload, Assigned Duquesne Standout - Quad City Steamwheelers
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.
