Wheelers’ heat too strong for Blizzard, defeat Green Bay 43-37

By Timothy Wallis

In an intense Week 11 rivalry game between the Quad City Steamwheelers and the Green Bay Blizzard, the stage was set for a crucial game for both teams. For the Blizzard, they had a chance to win the season series against their rivals and add another win to their Eastern Conference-leading resume. For the Steamwheelers, they had to win in order to make a late-season run to try and push for the last playoff spot. After a long and grueling affair, the Steamwheelers sent the Blizzard back north with a 43-37 loss, marking the second time the Wheelers beat the Blizzard this season.

The Steamwheelers moved the ball effectively on their opening possession, but came away empty after being stopped on fourth down inside the Green Bay 15-yard line. The Blizzard capitalized on the opportunity when quarterback Liam Thompson connected with Trevon Alexander for a touchdown, giving Green Bay an early 7-0 advantage. However, Quad City responded immediately. Quarterback Daquan Neal led a methodical drive down the field before finishing it himself on a one-yard touchdown run. Nolan Krinsky's extra point tied the game at seven, and a deuce on the ensuing kickoff gave the Steamwheelers their first lead of the night at 9-7.

The momentum continued into the second quarter when defensive lineman KeShaun Moore recorded a safety when he brought Thompson down in the end zone, extending the lead to 11-7. Although Green Bay answered with a deuce of its own, the Wheelers struck quickly when Jarrod Ware Jr. broke free for a long touchdown run, pushing the advantage to 18-9.

The Blizzard battled back throughout the second quarter with a touchdown pass from backup quarterback Cole Stenstrom to Alexander, cutting the deficit to two points, but the Steamwheelers appeared poised to create separation before Quian Williams fumbled through the end zone for a touchback. The defense quickly erased the mistake when Steven Adair intercepted Stenstrom and returned the ball deep into Green Bay territory. The turnover set up another scoring opportunity, and Ware capitalized with a touchdown run with 32 seconds remaining in the half. Green Bay managed a late field goal before the break, sending the Steamwheelers into halftime with a 25-19 lead.

Quad City added to its lead immediately after halftime when Krinsky drilled another deuce on the opening kickoff to make it 27-19. Green Bay answered with a field goal and then benefited from a fortunate bounce when a kickoff struck the upright and was recovered by the Blizzard. The short field led to a touchdown that gave Green Bay its first lead since the opening quarter at 29-27, but the Steamwheelers responded quickly. Neal guided a scoring drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Williams, restoring a 34-29 Quad City advantage late in the third quarter.

Green Bay threatened early in the fourth quarter, driving deep into Steamwheelers territory, but the defense came up with a critical stop on fourth down to preserve the lead. Neither team scored again until the final four minutes, when the Blizzard struck on a miraculous deep touchdown pass and converted a trick-play two-point conversion to move ahead 37-34 with 3:50 remaining.

Needing an answer, Neal delivered. The veteran quarterback converted a key third down with a long scramble before moving the offense deep into Green Bay territory. Ware helped drive the Wheelers inside the five-yard line, and with 20 seconds remaining, Jazeric Peterson punched in the go-ahead touchdown. Krinsky added the extra point and then delivered his third deuce of the game on the ensuing kickoff, extending the lead to 43-37. Green Bay made one final push in the closing seconds, but Kevin Ransom Jr. broke up a potential game-changing completion before the Blizzard's final desperation pass sailed harmlessly into the crowd, sealing a Wheelers victory.

Daquan Neal went 12-16 passing, for 103 yards and a touchdown, but no interceptions, while rushing for 72 yards on 12 attempts and a score on the ground. Jarrod Ware Jr carried the ball 12 times for 54 yards and two scores, while catching four passes for 33 yards. Jazeric Peterson ran the ball twice for four yards and the game-winning score, while catching two passes for ten yards. Quian Williams caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown, while Keyvan Rudd caught two passes for 20 yards. Kicker Nolan Krinsky, despite missing his only field goal attempt, made all five PATs and hit three deuces. 

On defense, Steven Adair racked up seven tackles, while breaking up one pass and intercepting one pass for five yards. KeShaun Moore also had seven tackles, but also had two sacks and three tackles for loss, while KJ Trujillo and Nicholas Harris both had four tackles each.

With the win, the Wheelers get a much-needed victory as the season rolls on, and their record now sits at 4-7 overall and 3-5 in conference. Next week, the team will travel west to Des Moines to take on the Iowa Barnstormers in the Battle of I-80. That game will take place on Saturday, June 13, at 7:00 pm at the Casey's Center in Des Moines, Iowa.