Steamwheeler fans! Come one, come all to see your Quad City Steamwheelers face-off against the Green Bay Blizzard on June 22nd! Make sure you break out that special outfit for Country Night, a night full of farm-fed-fun and Wheeler Football. And please, leave your cows and tractors at home.

Not only is it Country Night but it's also John Deere night at the Vibrant Arena at the MARK, a part of this wonderful night of appreciation for John Deere as a *ahem* Deere sponsor (see what i did there?). The sQUAD will be wearing special edition John Deere uniforms for this bout against Green Bay.

Kickoff will be at 7:05 pm and the game will be broadcasted on Caffine TV, as well as the official IFL YouTube channel.

About The Steamwheelers

The Wheelers are coming off a hard fought against the Iowa Barnstormers, the sQUAD and the Stormers battled from whistle to whistle with both defenses doing their best to outdo the other and hold the offense to as few points as they could. The game came down to a FG opportunity where Kyle Kaplan was looking to seal the deal versus Iowa how he did at home against the Massachusetts Pirates with a game winning FG.

Kaplan Lined up from about 30 yards out to add another clutch moment to his belt and another win into the column for the Steamwheelers, He lined up the kick and with the Barnstormers' fans doing their best to distract him, Kaplan let it rip and ended up missing wide-right. This loss brought the Wheelers to 5-6 on the year but while still being in the playoff picture the loss doesn't sting as bad. They must fight to keep their spot as they line up against the number one team in the Eastern Conference this week.

About the Blizzard

The number one team in the Eastern Conference and in the entire IFL looks to continue their winning ways that has led this to a 10-2 record this season. Their last outing was against the Jacksonville Sharks, this game saw the Blizzard leave the Sharks motionless and like fishes out of water. Green Bay won against Jacksonville 63-35, at home.

 

Players to Watch

Offense

DJ Stuckey - OL // QCS - Stuckey is a new addition to the sQUAD, who has had graded well in his two starts. The six foot three offensive lineman has been a tough fight for opposing defensive lineman to get around, joining the front lines with Joe Krall and Ivory Scott. Keep an eye out for this group to set the tone of Saturday nights Indoor War.

Andre Williams - WR // GBB - Williams has been a solid receiver for the Blizzard so far this season, mainly seeing the field as a return man. He's picked up over 250 yards on kick returns along with a touchdown, on the receiving end he has grabbed 66 receiving yards on 7 receptions. Williams spent time under Ross' offense in Bismarck in 2021.

 

Defense

Shawn Steele II - DB // GBB - Steele has been a staple in the Blizzard defense since his arrival in 2022. This season he's totaled 26 total tackles, along with two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. 

Brian Hughes & Dreko Statham - DB // QCS - Two new additions this week to the Steamwheelers secondary. Hughes spent time in the CFL Edmonton Elks camp while Statham has earned the moniker "Mr. Interception" throughout his career. Statham spent time with the IFL's Bismarck Bucks in 2022 and earned Week 16 Player of the Week honors recording 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, and three pass breakups.