Game three took place at the Comerica Center against the Frisco Fighters. The Wheelers looked for revenge from last season when the Fighters knocked the sQUAD out of the 2023 IFL Playoffs.
However the game didn't start off great for the Steamwheelers after the Fighters sped down the field on the opening drive for an eventual rushing TD for reigning IFL MVP TJ Edwards. The Fighters had to convert two 3rd downs to finish their drive in the endzone.
After the Wheeler offense had a few struggles early the ball would end up with the Fighters, who pushed downfield for another TD. The sQUAD was behind early with the score being 14-0 with Frisco on top going into the 2nd quarter.
The second quarter would open the Steamwheelers scoring with Kyle Kaplan putting the Steamwheelers on the board with a FG, bringing them closer with the Fighters leading 14-3.
The Wheeler defense had to deal with penalties throughout the period, which would only help the Fighters extend their lead. Martez Carter would be the one to do so with a short rush for a TD, after a good extra point Frisco led 21-3 over the Wheelers.
After the sQUAD started off slow they got going after fighting from 3rd & 20, to an Edward Vander rush TD. After a Kaplan extra point the sQUAD gets closer, making the score 21-10 with the Wheelers still down.
Rookie quarterbacks Judd Erickson and Mike Irwin would take turns leading the offense throughout this game. Both finished the game with 2 TDs and Erickson had 111 yards on 50% passing, while Irwin racked up 84 yards on 67% passing.
Later on the Fighters came back and hit the endzone again with another TD for Edwards, he would finish the evening with 4 rushing TDs.
The Wheelers made the game closer with an insane one-handed grab for a TD by Edward Vander. The Steamwheelers special teams struggle would be on showcase as the Fighters would go on to extend their lead again with a buzzer-beating kick return TD at the half.
Frisco was up big going into the second half, leading 34-17 over the Steamwheelers. A huge TD from
Jordan Vesey helped bring the score within 10 with Frisco leading 34-24. The Fighters would go on to score two more touchdowns in the quarter, bringing the total to 47-24 over the Steamwheelers.
In the 4th quarter the sQUAD would continue fighting and get the ball rolling, they moved the ball down the field quickly. There following drive culminated with a short pass from Irwin to Vander to make the score 47 - 31, after a good FG by Kaplan.
The Steamwheeler defense would stonewall against Frisco in the last period, two huge sacks by KeShaun Moore and Melik Owens on the same drive halted the Fighters and gave the Wheelers momentum. Melik Owens would finish the night with 4.5 TFLs.
A huge drive from Irwin, including passes to Vesey and Vander, was capped off by a 20 yard pass to Keyvan Rudd for a TD. This brought the sQUAD to within 10 again, with the Fighters ahead 47-37 late in the 4th.
Even with the Wheeler defense being a force and making stops, the Fighters sealed the game with a late game TD. Frisco ends up taking this win 54-37 over the Steamwheelers, the Fighters move to 3-0 on the season and the Steamwheelers are now 1-2 to start the year.
This Saturday the Steamwheelers take on the undefeated Massachusetts Pirates. It will be Union & Trades night where every union member gets BOGO on tickets, as well as it being $1 Beer Night.
