APRIL 27TH, 2022 MOLINE, IL – GAME-PREVIEW STEAMWHEELERS VS. BLIZZARD | 

Following, arguably, their most impressive win of the 2022 IFL season—the Quad  City Steamwheelers return home to the TaxSlayer Center to face the Green Bay  Blizzard for the first time since April 5th, 2019. 

The Wheelers' 36-17 win over the Bismarck Bucks was marked by both  dominance and balance on offense and defense. Wheelers quarterback E.J. Hilliard Jr. produced 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. With 2 games under his belt  since returning to Quad City on April 13th, Hilliard has already put up 8 total  touchdowns (4 passing, 4 rushing). 

On defense, Quad City faced the biggest challenge any defensive unit has faced all  season—a Bucks offense fresh off of scoring 76 points just 5 days prior against the  Bay Area Panthers.  

The Wheelers' defense met the challenge, holding both of Bismarck's  quarterbacks, Jayru Campbell and Tahj Tolbert, to 8 of 23 (34.8%) passing for 58  yards. Tajik Bagley picked off Campbell, Darreon Jackson led the team with 6 solo  tackles and Malik Duncan notched 2 tackles of losses. 

Wheelers Defensive Line Coach Wes Baskovic told steamwheelersfootball.com:  

"All the credit to our big boys up front on the defensive line, and linebacker Nate  Sheets for getting pressure up front, forcing [Jayru] Campbell to make poor  decisions, and stifling their run game. We knew what to be ready for and schemed  all week. Our motto is that everything starts and ends with us in the trenches and  that we set the tone. Couldn't be prouder of my guys. Our D proved, by holding the Bucks dynamic offense at home to only 17 points, that we're one of the best in  the league." 

Wheelers Head Coach Cory Ross had the offense firing on all cylinders,  outscoring the Bucks 26-7 in the second half. Worth noting, Coach Ross has now  coached the Steamwheelers to wins with 3 different starting quarterbacks this  season (David Perkins on 3/18/22 vs. Barnstormers, Aaron Aiken 4/8/22 vs. the  Storm and E.J. Hilliard on 4/23/22 @ Bucks). 

RB Kerrion Moore was a jack-of-all-trades vs. Bismarck—totaling 144 all-purpose  yards (47 rushing, 78 receiving, 19 returning). 

The combination of offensive and defensive dominance proved that the  Steamwheelers can beat any team in the league. They'll look to extend that  success against the 2-4 Green Bay Blizzard. 

Despite Green Bay's overall record, they've proven that they're capable of playing  spoiler to anyone, having defeated the 4-1 Massachusetts Pirates 38-31 on April  16th. 

The Blizzard are now 2-0 over their last 2 games after notching a 34-25 win over  the Vegas Nighthawks in Week 7. Quarterback Jack Sheehan threw for 3  touchdown passes, 0 interceptions and scored another touchdown on the ground  for good measure. 

What will happen when the Blizzard, riding a 2-game winning streak, face off  against a Steamwheelers team coming off their most dominant performance of the  2022 season? Tune in this Saturday at 7:05 PM CT to find out.