STEAMWHEELERS MELT THE BLIZZARD FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THREE WEEKS
ASHWAUBENON, WI — The 4-4 Quad City Steamwheelers traveled to Ashwaubenon,
Wisconsin for the first time since 2019 to face the 3-5 Green Bay Blizzard. The last time
these two teams faced, just two weeks ago, Quad City walked away with a 49-31 win.
The Blizzard’s first drive was slow, but methodical with QB Jack Sheehan stringing
together short-to-medium completions to move the chains. WR Shaquan Curenton
picked up the first points of the game on a designed run-sweep into the left side of the
end zone. Green Bay up 6-0 early in the first quarter.
The Wheelers first drive stalled early and ended with a blocked field goal attempt. It
wasn’t the start they were hoping for.
The Blizzard’s second drive was much like their first—incrementally moving the chains
before Sheehan connected with WR Keshaun Taylor, who leaped from the back of the
end zone to bring in the touchdown. Green Bay up 13-0.
On the final play of the first quarter, Hilliard launched a deep pass into the end zone. On
what might have been the most impressive single-play of the 2022 season, WR Mike
Carrigan leaped up and caught the ball before being knocked over the wall. Touchdown
Quad City. Score, 13-7.
Green Bay’s next drive stalled as Quad City’s defense held tight, forcing a 4th-and-2
field goal attempt. Kicker Nick Jaworski’s kick sailed far left.
Quad City responded as Hilliard launched another deep pass that was caught by
Carrigan for his second touchdown of the game. Wheelers up 14-13.
Green Bay fought back, with a field goal putting them back into the lead, 16-14.
The two teams exchanged missed field goals before going into the half with the score
16-14.
On the first play from scrimmage of the second half, Hilliard hit WR Keyvan Rudd deep
for a touchdown to put the Wheelers up 20-16.
Another Sheehan to Curenton touchdown put Green Bay back in the lead, 23-20.
Late in the third quarter, Hilliard scrambled into the end zone and attempted a
“Superman-like” dive that resulted in a fumble at the goal line that was recovered by
Quad City for the touchdown. Wheelers up, 27-23.
On Green Bay’s next drive, a mishandled snap was recovered by the center and later,
taken away by Quad City LB Nate Sheets who brought it all the way back for the
touchdown. Wheelers up 34-23.
The Wheelers defense forced a turnover on downs on the next drive, giving their
offense another shot at the end zone. It turned out to be a special moment.
Former Green Bay Blizzard QB and current Steamwheeler, Aaron Aiken, entered the
game. At the goal line, with a push from former Blizzard RB and current Steamwheeler,
Kerrion Moore, Aiken plowed into the end zone for a touchdown to put Quad City up
41-23.
The Steamwheelers just wouldn’t take their foot off the gas.
Sheets picked off Sheehan in what ended up becoming the unofficial game-clincher.
Including DB Tajik Bagely’s interception off Sheehan two weeks ago, Quad City now
accounts for 2 of the 5 interceptions he’s thrown all season.
Still, that wasn’t the end of it.
Hilliard put up another touchdown, this time on the ground. Wheelers up 48-23.
Green Bay was able to score another touchdown at the very end of the game, but it was
too little, too late. The Wheelers walked out of the Resch Center with a dominant 48-30
win.
The Steamwheelers return to the TaxSlayer Center next Saturday, May 20th, to face the
Bismarck Bucks. For Steamwheelers tickets, call the TaxSlayer Center Box Office at 309-764-2000 or
visit TicketMaster.com.