BARNSTORMERS HALT STEAMWHEELERS
Operations
DES MOINES, Iowa — The 4-3 Quad City Steamwheelers entered Des Moines on a 2- game winning streak, ready to take on their Eastern Conference Rivals, the 3-3 Iowa Barnstormers.
The Wheelers won the toss, deferred and decided to start the game off on defense.
They were prepared. Barnstormers QB Darius-James Peterson went deep on his first passing attempt of the evening and was picked off by Wheelers DB Kendell Jefferson. Unfortunately, Quad City’s hot start was short-lived.
On the Wheelers’ first offensive drive, a miscommunicated snap led to QB E.J. Hilliard chasing the ball backwards, regaining possession and being taken down for a big sack. Quad City’s field goal attempt was blocked and recovered for an early touchdown to put the Barnstormers up 7-0.
On the following drive, Hilliard was picked off by Barnstormers DB Justic’e King. Peterson moved the ball down the field with both his arms and legs, eventually connecting with WR Kentrez Bell for the touchdown. The play was originally ruled incomplete, but a successful challenge by Iowa brought the score to 14-0.
With Quad City’s offense backed up deep in their own territory, Hilliard dropped back, took a big hit and launched the ball deep to WR Londell Lee who brought it all the way home to a 43-yard touchdown. Score, 14-7.
On the next drive, Peterson connected with Bell, who maintained possession before going over the wall to bring in the touchdown reception. Barnstormers up 21-7.
Bell wasn’t done—recovering Iowa’s own kickoff to give the Barnstormers another offensive possession. Their high-tempo offense pushed the ball into Quad City territory, where a Peterson touchdown pass to WR Dom McNeil put the Barnstormers up 28-7.
On their next drive, the Wheelers attempted a long field goal that was returned by Barnstormers WR Alvin Bailey for a touchdown. Score, 35-7.
Quad City settled for a field goal on their next drive, bringing the score to 35-10.
It was a rough first half for a Quad City team that had started off strong during the previous two weeks.
On their first possession of the second half, Hilliard took the ball into the end zone himself on an RPO-designed QB draw. Score, 35-17.
Iowa answered on the next drive with a QB rushing touchdown of their own. Score, 42-17.
That wasn’t the end of QB rushing touchdowns in this contest. Hilliard answered on the next drive with his second rushing touchdown of the evening, followed up by a two-point conversion run. Score, 42-25.
Peterson answered on the next drive with a touchdown pass to RB Antonio Winbush. Score, 49-25.
Going blow-for-blow, Quad City marched down the field and ended the drive with a laser touchdown pass from Hilliard to WR Mike Carrigan. Score, 49-31.
The Wheelers recovered the onside kick but weren’t able to turn that opportunity into points. Hilliard was picked off by Barnstormers DB Jordan Baldwin, who returned the ball back for a touchdown. Score, 56-31.
On the next drive, Hilliard connected on a touchdown pass to Moore and then, a two- point conversion run. Score, 56-39.
A failed onside kick attempt gave Iowa great field position, resulting in a touchdown run by Winbush to bring the score to 63-39.
Quad City drove the ball down the field again, with another Hilliard touchdown run and then, a two-point conversion run by WR Keyvan Rudd to bring the score to 63-47.
It was too little too late, as the clock eventually winded down to 0:00.
The Barnstormers’ 63-47 win ties the series at 1-1 this season. They’ll play again in the regular season finale on Friday July 15th, 2022 in Quad City.
For Steamwheelers tickets, call the TaxSlayer Center Box Office at 309-764-2000 or visit TicketMaster.com.