Box Score APRIL 16TH, 2022 MOLINE, IL – The Quad City Steamwheelers entered Week 6 following an epic fourth quarter comeback in Week 5's 34-24 win over the Sioux Falls Storm. The Frisco Fighters entered the TaxSlayer Center on a 3-game winning streak. The Wheelers entered undefeated at home this season (2-0), on a night dedicated to honor the 2000 and 2001 AF2 Champion Quad City Steamwheelers.
Quarterback Aaron Aiken led the Wheelers on the opening drive of the game, picking up 2 first downs on his first 2 carries of the night. His first deep pass of the evening was well defended by Frisco DB Cedric Pool, forcing a field goal attempt that failed to connect.
On the next drive, Wheelers LB Nate Sheets sacked former Alabama Crimson Tide and current Fighters QB Blake Sims for a 2-yard loss. Later in the drive, DB Malik Duncan tackled Fighters RB Justin Rankin for a 5-yard loss. The Frisco offense persisted however, and was eventually able to move the ball down the field. Sims closed out the drive with a touchdown pass to WR Sheldon Augustine – Fighters up 7-0 early in the first quarter.
On the Wheelers' next drive, Aiken completed a 13-yard pass to WR Mike Carrigan through the air and later, picked up another first down on the ground with a 16-yard run. On first-and-goal, Aiken barreled himself into the endzone for a 3-yard touchdown run. Veteran kicker Kimo Naehu connected on the extra point, game tied 7-7.
Fighters WR Mark Munson gave Frisco fantastic field position following a strong kick return. The Fighters moved the ball closer to the endzone and closed out the drive with an RPO touchdown run by Sims. Frisco up, 14-7.
2019 IFL Offensive Player of the Year, quarterback E.J. Hilliard JR. started the next drive for the Wheelers. On his first carry of the night, Hilliard picked up 17-yards and a first down. Later, he picked up another first down on a 7-yard run. Veteran WR Keyvan "Stud" Rudd imposed his will on the Fighters' defense, leaping into the endzone for a 7-yard touchdown. Game tied again, 14-14.
On the next drive, Duncan and fellow DB Darreon Jackson forced an incompletion on first down. On the next play, DB Tajik Bagley forced an incompletion. On 3rd-and-10, Sims rolled out to the right and launched the ball deep down the field, connecting with WR Spencer Tears for a 42-yard touchdown. Wheelers HC Cory Ross challenged the play, noting Frisco's movement prior to the snap, but the call was upheld. Fighters up 21-14.
WR Londell Lee pushed the ball down the field on a big 19-yard run, but the drive ended when Hilliard was picked off in the endzone by Frisco DB Cameron Hilton.
Joe Zanca pressured Sims near his own endzone, forcing a 3rd-and-11 attempt that the Fighters failed to convert. On 4th-and-1, Simms picked up the first down on the ground, and defensive penalties pushed the ball deeper into Wheelers territory. With 0:13 left in the second quarter, Sims eluded defenders on a 3-yard touchdown run. Fighters up, 28-14.
Frisco tacked on another 2-points after their kickoff connected through the uprights. Fighters up 30-14 at the half.
The second half began with a strong kick return by Frisco that put the Fighters deep into scoring territory. On 3rd-and-7, the Wheelers defense held strong, but an illegal contact penalty gave Frisco a fresh set of downs, and a first-and-goal opportunity. Rankin's 6-yard touchdown run put the Fighters up 37-14 early in the third quarter.
Carrigan's 20-yard kick return put the Wheelers into scoring territory. Hilliard then found Carrigan for a 4-yard touchdown pass—his first since returning to Quad City. On the next play, Rudd pulled down a clutch 2PC reception to bring the score to 37-22.
The air in the TaxSlayer Center began to thicken, and the Wheelers defense matched the moment. On the first play of the next drive, Jamal Paxton recovered a Frisco fumble and returned it all the way for a big defensive-touchdown. Naehu connected on the extra point, 37-29.
An explosive 18-yard run by Rankin shifted momentum back to Frisco's side. Augustine later pushed the ball into the endzone on a 4-yard touchdown run, Fighters up 44-29.
Jaylin Swan's kick return gave the Wheelers good field position and Hilliard's subsequent 12-yard run left Quad City knocking at the door. He wasn't finished. Hilliard evaded defenders on a 3-yard touchdown to bring the score to 44-35. He then connected with Rudd on his second 2PC completion of the night, bringing the score to 44-37.
7-point ball game.
A failed onside kick attempt gave Frisco strong starting field position. Sheets notched his second sack of the game, knocking Sims and the Fighters back a yard. Quad City forced a fumble on the next play, but Sims fell onto the football and recovered. Rankin put the ball into the endzone on a 7-yard touchdown run. Fighters up 51-37.
Munson tripped Rudd on the following kick return, but the officials did not call the penalty. Hilliard got the drive moving with a 21-yard completion to Carrigan. On the next play, Hilliard took off for a 10-yard run to give the Wheelers another first-and-goal opportunity. Hilliard's 5-yard touchdown run brought the score to 51-43.
A 2PC attempt failed to connect, leaving the Wheelers down 8-points.
Sims answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to WR Philip Barnett. Fighters up 58-43.
The Wheelers drove the ball down the field and Hilliard put the ball into the endzone with his 3rd rushing touchdown of the night. Score 58-49.
Coach Ross drew up a trick pitch play as Hilliard tossed the ball to Rudd, who rushed into the endzone for the 2PC before being pushed over the wall, resulting in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Score 58-51.
Quad City's onside kick attempt was recovered by Barnett, who returned the ball for a touchdown. Fighters up 65-51.
On the following drive, Hilliard was picked off by Britto Tutt.
On Frisco's final drive of the game, Bryce Crawford connected on a 34-yard field goal to bring the final score to 68-51.
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