JULY 8TH MOLINE, IL - Wheelers Steer to Victory, 47-39
An Eastern Conference clash of the Quad City Steamwheelers hosting the Green Bay Blizzard. Quad City looked to keep the upward momentum while Green Bay needed a win to remain in the playoff hunt.
Quad City started with a bang! WR C.J. Windham took the opening kickoff to the house. PAT good, Wheelers 7-0.
Green Bay mishandled the kickoff falling into the hands of LB Marquis Hendrix for the score. PAT good, Wheelers 14-0.
The Blizzard stormed down the field and capped off their drive with a RB Terrence Smith score. PAT no good, Wheelers 14-6.
Next Steamwheeler drive ended with a missed field attempt.
DL Jaylin Swan came up with a sack. The defensive momentum forced a long field attempt which was launched into the stands.
Quad City regained possession going the length of the field but the drive was hurt by penalties. K Chase Allbaugh knocked it through. Wheelers 17-6.
A big play from WR Shaq Curenton put Green Bay in the red zone. A few plays later, QB Max Meylor took it in himself. PAT good, Wheelers 17-13.
On the following drive, QB E.J. Hilliard Jr. pass was intercepted in the end zone by DB Shawn Steele II.
Meylor's first pass of the next series was picked off and returned to the house by DB Vincent Shaw. The two point conversion was good. Wheelers 25-13.
Another Meylor pass intercepted this time by DB Kendricks Gladney Jr.
Trying to extend their lead before half. Hilliard connected with WR Mike Carrigan for six. PAT good, Wheelers 32-13.
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Opening the final half, Swan picked up his second sack of the night. A long 4th down dump pass to WR Mike Green II went the distance for the touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers 32-20.
Hilliard lost possession of the ball near the end zone and recovered by the Blizzard defense.
Trying to generate scoring opportunities, QB Ja'rome Johnson led his offense to paydirt after pitching the ball to Green II for the score. The two point conversion was no good, Wheelers 32-26.
Starting deep in their own territory, RB Shane Simpson made defenders miss on an explosive play then carried it in for the score. The two point conversion was good, Wheelers 40-26.
DB Darreon Jackson ripped the ball out to change possession back to the Steamwheelers.
Starting just out the red zone, Simpson took the jet sweep in for the touchdown. PAT good, Wheelers 47-26.
Down a couple possessions, Johnson used his speed to scramble into the end zone. PAT good, Wheelers 47-33.
The Steamwheeler offense stalled out and missed the field goal attempt.
With 1:28 on the clock, Green Bay reclaimed the ball. Johnson steered his team for a late game score to WR Marquise Irvin. Final score, Steamwheelers 47-39.
The Quad City Steamwheelers extend their record to 9-5 on the season and will be heading to Tulsa on July 15, a 7:05 PM kick off for the final game of the 2023 season.
