MARCH 18TH, 2022 MOLINE, IL –  The Quad City Steamwheelers kicked off their 2022 Home Opener Presented By Driftless Glen against the Iowa Barnstormers in an Eastern Conference clash that marked the Wheelers' first game at the TaxSlayer Center since June 7th, 2019.

Wheelers quarterback David Perkins launched a deep pass into the endzone on the opening play of the game, but off-setting penalties brought it back. On the following play, Perkins maintained momentum by picking up 15-yards on a quarterback-draw. With 12:21 left in the first quarter, Wheelers running back Kerrion Moore put the first points of the game on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run.

Barnstormers' wide receiver Alvin Bailey answered the Wheelers touchdown with a big kick return. The Wheelers defense held strong, as they did in Week 1 vs. the Storm, and prevented points on the Barnstormers' opening drive.

The Wheelers capped off their next drive with a short field goal by veteran kicker Kimo Naehu to take a 10-0 lead.

On the Barnstormers' second drive, quarterback Darius James-Peterson moved the chains with his legs, putting Iowa's first points of the game on the board with a 14-yard touchdown run.

With just over 9 minutes left in the second quarter, Moore rushed for his second touchdown of the game to put the Wheelers up 17-7.

Barnstormers kicker Gabriel Rui trimmed the Wheelers' lead to 17-10 after connecting on an impressive 54-yard field goal. The Barnstormers follow up with a surprise onside kick attempt. Quad City recovered, but couldn't turn the short field possession into points, missing a field.

Rui missed his next field goal, a 59-yard attempt that fell far-left.

Perkins capped off the Wheelers' final possession of the second quarter, driving the ball down field and completing a 34-yard pass to Mike Carrigan–putting Quad City up 24-10 heading into the half.
 

The Quad City Steamwheelers entered the second half with a 24-10 lead. It didn't take them long to bring fans in the TaxSlayer Center out of their seats. They recovered an onside kick, drove the ball downfield and quarterback David Perkins connected with Kerrion Moore for a 5-yard touchdown to put the Wheelers up 31-10.

The Barnstormers answered as quarterback Darius James-Peterson picked up 28-yards on a quarterback draw, taking it to the house for his second rushing touchdown of the game. Wheelers' lead trimmed to 31-17.

In the final minute of the third quarter, Perkins was picked off in the endzone by Barnstormers defensive back LeCorey Demease. On the first play of the Barnstormers' next possession, James-Peterson was taken down by Jaylin Swan for a big-time sack. James-Peterson bounced back, driving Iowa down the field and capping the drive off with a 15-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Eric Thomas. 7-point game, with the Wheelers up 31-24.

Quad City needed a score and quarterback David Perkins delivered. With under 7 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Perkins connected with Keyvan "Stud" Rudd for a 18-yard touchdown pass to put the Wheelers up 37-24.

Quad City would not take their foot off the gas—not on this night, and not in their home arena in front of an electric home crowd.

On the following kickoff, Barnstormers' wide receiver Alvin Bailey was clobbered by Wheelers' defensive lineman Teon Burroughs—pushing Iowa back to their own 2-yard line. Jamal Paxton then took down James-Peterson for a safety. Wheelers up 39-24.

Rudd, having fun late in the fourth quarter, showed off his athleticism by hurdling over a Barnstormer defender for his NFT-moment of the night. Moore capped off the Wheelers' final drive with his 4th touchdown. Quad City wins, 46-24.

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Notes & Numbers

• Kerrion Moore led all players with 4 total touchdowns (3 rushing, 1 receiving).

• The Steamwheelers first win of 2022 brings them to a 5-2 record over their last 7 games.

• The Steamwheelers first home win of 2022 brings their all-time home record to 5-3.

• David Perkins threw 3 touchdown passes in his Quad City home debut.