MAY 4TH, 2023 MOLINE, IL – WEEK 8 GAME PREVIEW PRESENTED BY QC TIMES

Following a 59-47 loss on the road to the Sioux Falls Storm, the Quad City Steamwheelers will take to the road again for their first matchup of the season with their Eastern Conference rivals, the Iowa Barnstormers.

The last time these two teams faced each other, the Steamwheelers walked away with a 42-35 win at home that helped give them a birth in the 2022 postseason. It's been all downhill for Iowa ever since. Their loss to Quad City was followed by a 64-39 loss to the Frisco Fighters in the first round of the playoffs. Through 5 games this year, the team remains 0-5. Riding a 7-game losing streak, they will be hungry to walk away with a "W" for the first time since July 9th, 2022.

The Steamwheelers tasted defeat against the Sioux Falls Storm last Saturday despite another video-game number performance by quarterback E.J. Hilliard Jr. Hilliard put up 203 total yards of offense and 6 total touchdowns (4 passing, 2 rushing), but was picked off and sacked 3 times.

Veteran wide receiver Keyvan Rudd hauled in 2 touchdowns, but it wasn't enough to off-set a Sioux Falls team that scored 59 points—the highest total Quad City has surrendered since their 60-53 loss to the Arizona Rattlers in Week 1.

Linebacker Marquis Hendrix was again a bright spot, leading the team with 8 total tackles. Veteran defensive back Darreon Jackson was not far behind with 6 total tackles.

Despite the Barnstormers' 56-36 loss to the Pirates, quarterback Jonathan Bane still put up a 5-touchdown, 0-interception performance in only his second game of the season.

What will happen when the defending Eastern Conference Champions of the IFL travel to Iowa for the first time in 2023? Tune in Saturday May 6th at 7:05 PM CT to find out.

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