Game 13 Preview vs Orlando

By Timothy Wallis

Following a much needed win on the road two weeks ago down I-80 to Des Moines and then a bye week, the Quad City Steamwheelers will return home to the Wheelhouse in the Quad Cities, where the team will seek to get revenge against an Eastern Conference foe. The 5-7 Wheelers will host the 7-5 Orlando Pirates, a team who is currently in a playoff spot as the season starts to wind down.

Kick-off is at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28th, at the Wheelhouse at the Vibrant Arena at The Mark in Moline, IL. To watch, you can go to the Yahoo Sports Network online, or watch on services like Fubo, Amazon Fire TV, Plex, Prime Video and Roku TV. 

About the Steamwheelers

Last week, the Steamwheelers were on a bye week, recovering from their last game the prior week against the Iowa Barnstormers. In that game, the Wheelers earned a convincing 42-17 road victory over Iowa, avenging an earlier loss and heading into the bye week on a two-game winning streak. The sQUAD jumped out to an early lead when Daquan Neal connected with Quian Williams for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, while the defense forced multiple turnovers to keep Iowa off balance. The Steamwheelers built a 22-3 halftime advantage behind touchdowns from Williams and Jazeric Peterson, then extended the lead in the second half with a Malik Duncan interception return for a touchdown and a rushing score from Trenton Barnes. Charles Rosser added a fumble recovery touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The victory improved Quad City to 5-7 overall and 4-5 in Eastern Conference play, keeping its playoff hopes alive. On offense, their 40.5 points per game are the ninth highest, while their average passing yards of 161.2 and average rushing yards of 71.3 both rank seventh. Defensively, the team ranks lower than the median in points allowed per game, but only sit at fifth most given up with 43.3. And while the team struggled occasionally to stop the passing game, allowing 169.2 per game, the team has the best rush defense statistically, only allowing 45.6 per game.

QC - Player to Watch

KeShaun Moore / DL - Last time out against the Pirates, Moore snagged an interception and ran it back for a touchdown, his first and only interception of the season, but was quiet besides that. However, since the April 26 game against Jacksonville, Moore has been on a tear, totaling 30 tackles, seven sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two pass breakups and a safety. Moore and the Wheelers' defense will look to keep the pressure on the Pirates' offensive line to force mistakes. 

About the Pirates 

Last week, the Pirates earned a statement 54-42 victory over Jacksonville, using an offensive outburst and dominant defensive performance to secure the win. Quarterback Paxton DeLaurent accounted for four total touchdowns, throwing for two scores and rushing for two more, while Pooka Williams added two rushing touchdowns and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. Orlando built a 27-7 halftime lead behind strong defensive play, highlighted by Devonte O'Malley's 2.5 sacks, a blocked field goal, and a forced fumble, along with an interception from Leon O'Neal. The Pirates continued to pull away in the second half with touchdown catches from Teo Redding and Nyqwan Murray, finishing with 54 points. The victory was a major Eastern Conference win standings-wise and showcased Orlando's ability to dominate on both sides of the ball. This should not be a surprise, however, as they have done this all season. They are led by a very strong offense, a unit that averages 241.8 total yards per game, the fourth most out of all IFL teams. While they do not average too many rushing yards, only 67.8 per game, their passing game is where they do a lot of damage, averaging 174.0 passing yards per game, the fourth most. Specifically, one area where they do a ton of damage is on third down, where they have a 63% conversion rate, the second highest in the league. Defensively, they give up the second most points on average, allowing 48.0 per game, but also shut down teams yardage wise through the air, giving up 142.8 passing yards per game, the fourth least amount. 

Orlando - Players to Watch

Paxton DeLaurent / QB - While the Wheelers' defense was able to force him into three interceptions last time these two teams met, the gunslinger also threw for 236 yards and four touchdowns. Since then, DeLaurent has not thrown that many interceptions in a single game since, and has gone on to lead the league in completion percentage at 72%, while also throwing for 2,015 yards, the second most out of any quarterback. The Wheelers' defense will need to limit his damage in the passing game if they want to get revenge.

Leon O'Neal / DB - While not playing in the previous matchup between these two teams, O'Neal has recorded an interception in three straight games leading up to this game, and is obviously wanting to extend that streak to four. With the quarterback situation for the Wheelers a little unsure, O'Neal is a player to watch for on the Orlando defense. 

Last Time Around…

The Steamwheelers and Pirates last met on 4/5/26, in Orlando, Florida, where the Wheelers fell just short in a high-scoring affair, losing 49-46 to Orlando despite several standout performances on both sides of the ball. Quad City jumped out to a 14-0 lead thanks to a touchdown pass from Neal to Quian Williams and a pick-six by KeShaun Moore, while the defense also forced multiple turnovers. Neal accounted for five total touchdowns, including three through the air and two on the ground, helping the Wheelers stay within striking distance throughout the game. Williams hauled in six catches for 100 yards and two scores, while Jamon Williams recorded two interceptions on defense. Despite battling back multiple times, the Steamwheelers were unable to overcome Orlando's late touchdown drive and dropped to 1-2 overall and in conference play.