MOLINE, IL—Following a 49-47 win over the San Diego Strike Force, the Quad City Steamwheelers returned home to face their Eastern Conference rivals, the Sioux Falls Storm for the first time since May of 2022.
Quad City began their first offensive possession of the night with a bullet from QB E.J. Hilliard Jr. to WR C.J. Windham for a quick-strike touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers up 7-0.
Sioux Falls saw their first drive come to an abrupt halt after DB Malik Duncan broke up a pass on fourth down.
Following the momentum generated by the defense, the Steamwheelers capitalized with a 30-yard field goal from kicker Chase Allbaugh. Quad City up 10-0.
Down two possessions early, the Storm offense answered with a drive that ended in a QB Lorenzo Brown Jr. rushing touchdown. The PAT was blocked, but the Wheelers lead was cut to 10-6.
The next drive for the Wheelers started in enemy territory following anunsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the kickoff. Hilliard floated the ball up to WR Keyvan "Stud" Rudd, who made an acrobatic catch and crawled into the end zone for six. PAT good, Wheelers up 17-6.
Storm WR Tony Tate responded by taking the kickoff all the way to the house for the touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers up 17-13.
A surprise onside kick ricocheted off a Wheeler and into the hands of StormDB Antwan Hadley. Sioux Falls took over, but failed to produce as a fourth down interception by Wheelers DB Darreon Jackson gave Quad City possession.
Quad City began their drive on the 9-yard line. After a couple of incomplete passes and a penalty, K Chase Allbaugh nailed the field goal from 28-yards out. Wheelers up 20-13.
With one last push before halftime, the Storm came up with a jet sweeptouchdown by Tate, followed by a successful PAT to tie the game at 20-20.
A Steamwheeler 40-yard field attempt with 0:02 on the clock sailed wide right. Score tied at the half, 20-20.
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Beginning the second half, the Storm pulled ahead with a Brown Jr. keeper for the touchdown, his second of the evening. PAT muffed, Storm ahead26-20.
The Steamwheelers responded immediately as Hilliard found Rudd on a deep 35-yard connection for the touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers back on top 27-26.
Allbaugh pinned Sioux Falls down inside their own 10. Wheelers DE Jaylin Swan swallowed up Brown Jr. for the sack. A field goal attempt from theStorm's own 4-yard line sailed deep into the crowd.
Hilliard and the Wheeler offense took over at mid-field. DL Jaylon Abdul-Karim came up with the 3rd down sack, forcing a field goal attempt that sailed slightly to the left.
Wheelers DL Krystapher Oakley and DB Malik Duncan forced a safety on the following drive, giving the Wheelers a 29-26 lead.
On their next drive, Quad City converted two 4th down attempts. Hilliard connected with Windham for the touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers up 36-26.
Down by two scores, a bizarre play saw an interception pinned between the legs of DB Kendrick Gladney.
Steamwheelers acquired the rock, but Hilliard was eventually picked off by Storm DB Eugene Ford.
With just over 3 minutes left of the game, Sioux Falls sustained a promising drive that ended in a Brown Jr sneak for the score. 2 point conversion good. Wheelers ahead by two, 36-34.
Following some plays that backed Quad City up against their own end zone, Hilliard was able to drain the clock and close the game out with a 36-34 win.
The Steamwheelers enter the bye week with a 2-1 record, having won the last two games in a row. On April 15th, the Wheelers will travel to Tulsa to face the Oilers for the first time in franchise history at the BOK Center.
Notes & Numbers
• QB E.J. Hilliard Jr. threw 4 touchdown passes.
• WRs Keyvan Rudd and C.J. Windham caught 2 touchdowns each.
• WR Jarrod Harrington led Quad City in receptions (7) and kick return yards (66).
• LB Marquis Hendrix led Quad City with 10 total tackles.
• DB Malik Duncan recorded 5 total tackles and 1 TFL.
• WR Tony Tate recorded 2 total touchdowns (1 kickoff return, 1 rushing).
