Wheeler Nation! Welcome back to another home game for your Quad City Steamwheelers! The sQUAD will be matching up against the Massachusetts Pirates for their 5th meeting all-time at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK on Saturday April 20th.

It will be Union & Trades Night with $1 Beers. All Union members will get BOGO tickets for the game, it will also be presented by Crawford Company.


About the Steamwheelers

The last time the Wheelers played the Pirates at home they won on a last second touchdown. The Steamwheelers found themselves down 44-43 with 8 seconds left in the 4th quarter. After 1 play for 11 yards, the ball was snapped with 3 seconds left and a 21-yard pass to Keyvan Rudd along the visitor side wall in the endzone was completed. Rudd made the jumping catch to take the lead and put the sQUAD up 49-44 and to win the game. 

Last week, the Steamwheelers found themselves down early 0-14 and after battling back suffered a tough loss to the Frisco Fighters, 54-37. Judd Erickson and Mike Irwin rotated in the quarterback position and combined for 195 passing yards and 4 touchdowns. On defense, Keshaun Moore had another great showing with 7 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack. 
 

About The Pirates

The Massachusetts Pirates last week took on the Iowa Barnstormers at home and won 54-29. The Pirates were led by their running back Tavion Thomas who racked up 120 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns on the night. Their ship is steered by quarterback Alejandro Bennefield who has led the Pirates to an 4-0 record while throwing for 13 TDs on 67% passing. Head Coach Rod Miller is in his first year with the Pirates. Miller is familiar with Steamwheelers Head Coach Cory Ross, having invited him to be the offensive coordinator for the Bismarck Bucks offense in 2021 while Miller was the Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator.

 

Players to Watch

Offense

Jordan Vesey - WR // QCS

    Vesey made his presence felt in his first game of the season. He had an stellar night in the stat book finishing the night against the Fighters with 62 receiving yards, 4 receptions, and a touchdown. 

Issac Zico - WR // MP

    Zico will be someone to look out for on the Pirates offense, his last game he racked up 58 receiving yards and a touchdown as well against the Iowa Barnstormers.

 
Defense

Melik Owens - DL // QCS

    The Wheeler defensive lineman is coming off of a great game against the Frisco Fighters, Owens showed up big, racking up 6 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and a sack.

Guy Thomas - DL // MP

    Thomas has been a threat on defense this season, in his last game he nabbed 6 total tackles and combined for one tackle for loss and a sack.