MARCH 24TH, 2023 MOLINE, IL – WEEK 2 GAME PREVIEW PRESENTED BY QC TIMES

STEAMWHEELERS VS. STRIKE FORCE | 

Following a 60-53 loss vs. the Arizona Rattlers in the 2023 season opener, the Quad City Steamwheelers will travel to San Diego to play a  team they haven't faced since Week 1 of the 2019 IFL season—the  Strike Force. The last time these two teams met, the Steamwheelers  walked away with a 67-49 victory. 

In the season opener against Arizona, quarterback E.J. Hilliard Jr. showed  no signs of slowing down from the elite form that saw him capture IFL  Offensive Player of the Year honors during his last two active seasons  (2019, 2022). He produced 6 total touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing)  and threw 0 interceptions against one of the most dominant defenses  in the IFL. 

Free agent acquisition Jarrod Harrington showed return on investment immediately, totaling 80 yards on three kick returns and scoring touchdowns both through the air and on the ground. Four different Steamwheelers caught touchdowns: Harrington, Keyvan Rudd, Mike Carrigan and C.J. Windham.

Windham led the Wheelers in receptions (6) and receiving yards (95) —earning Strongman of the Game honors in his Quad City debut. 

Linebacker Nate Sheets, who led the IFL in total tackles last season  (101.5), again led the Wheelers with 8 total tackles. Veteran defensive  back Darreon Jackson and first-time Wheeler Kendricks Gladney Jr. both  broke us 2 passes each. 

As the Strike Force work to determine their starting quarterback for the  2023 season, the Steamwheelers must prepare for the possibility of  facing a former member of the sQUAD CITY family—quarterback  Aaron Aiken. In 2022, Aiken scored 7 total touchdowns (3 passing, 4  rushing). In Week 5, his 3 touchdown/0 interception performance was  pivotal in helping the Wheelers secure a 34-24 win over the Sioux Falls  Storm.  

San Diego also signed former Rattlers quarterback, Demry Croft. In  2022, Croft completed 65.0% of his passes, averaged 11.4 yards per  attempt, threw 7 touchdown passes to 2 interceptions and finished the  year with a 103.8 passer rating. Whether the Wheelers end up facing  Aiken, Croft or both, they'll be in for a tremendous challenge. 

What will happen when the defending Eastern Conference Champions  of the IFL take the road in the hopes of securing their first win of the  2023 season? Tune in Sunday March 26th at 5:05 PM CT to find out.

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