STEAMWHEELERS TAKE DOWN FIGHTERS TO ADVANCE TO IFL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
After upsetting the defending IFL Champion Massachusetts Pirates on the road in Worcester, Cory Ross and the Quad City Steamwheelers travel back to Texas to face the 15-2 Frisco Fighters. The stakes? The 2022 IFL Eastern Conference Championship.
On the first drive, Wheelers QB E.J. Hilliard connected with WR Isaiah Grice for an 18-yard completion. Hilliard picked up more yardage on the ground with a big run down the middle of the field. Kicker Kimo Naehu missed the field goal attempt, giving Frisco their first possession of the game.
Frisco RB Justin Rankin picked up yardage on the ground and QB T.J. Edwards connected with WR Jerminic Smith for a touchdown, putting Frisco up 7-0.
Hilliard began the next drive with a deep passing attempt that failed to connect. An incompletion on 3rd-and-8 set up a long field goal attempt. The kick was blocked, giving Frisco a first-and-goal opportunity. A touchdown run by Rankin helped to extend Frisco’s lead, 14-0.
A big kick return by Wheelers RB Kerrion Moore set up the Quad City offense. Hilliard connected with WR Mike Carrigan for a touchdown pass and Naehu connected on the PAT to bring the score to 14-7.
On the following drive, an illegal hit from Frisco QB Blake Sims injured Wheelers LB Nate Sheets. On the next play, the Wheelers defense forced a fumble by Edwards that was recovered by Frisco. On 3rd-and-18, Edwards was contained on a QB run. A 4th-and-13 attempt resulted in a blocked field goal, giving the Wheelers fantastic field position.
On the next drive, Moore suffered a leg injury. On 3rd-and-5, Hilliard scrambled and leaped into the end zone for a game-changing touchdown. Score tied, 14-14.
Edwards connected deep with Smith to set up 1st-and-goal opportunity at the Quad City 2 yard-line. On the next play, Edwards connected with WR Tyron Laughinghouse for a touchdown to put Frisco back up, 21-14.
The Wheelers next drive stalled quickly and a failed 4th down attempt gave Frisco another possession before halftime. Laughinghouse quickly rushed for a touchdown on first down, giving the Fighters a 28-14 lead.
On the Wheelers first play of their next drive, Hilliard connected with WR Ed Smith for a touchdown pass. Naehu connected on the PAT, 28-21. Naehu then connected on a “deuce” to bring the score to 28-23.
A big completion from Edwards to Smith moved the Fighters into quick scoring position. A touchdown pass from Edwards to Smith put the Fighters up, 34-23. The Fighters went for the 2-point conversion but were unable to put the ball in the end zone.
With 0:03 left in the half, Hilliard attempted a Hail Mary pass and was intercepted. A roughing the passer penalty negated the interception and gave Quad City a long field goal attempt. Naehu drilled it directly through the uprights to make it a one-score game. Fighters lead at the half, 34-26.
The Steamwheelers entered the second half down 34-26. On the first drive of the third quarter, DB Malik Duncan took down Rankin for a loss of yardage. Edwards answered with another touchdown pass to Smith. Frisco up, 41-26.
On the next drive, Hilliard connected with Carrigan three times: first on a completion where Carrigan picked up yards after the catch, then a laser into tight coverage for a first down and finally, a touchdown pass. Hilliard scrambled into the end zone on a successful two-point conversion attempt to bring the score to 41-34.
Quad City forced a fumble on the following drive, recovered and returned by DB Antwan Smith. The ruling was challenged by Frisco but upheld. Hilliard connected with Carrigan to set up a first-and-goal opportunity. Naehu missed the field goal attempt, score still 41-34.
Frisco moved the ball down the field but failed to connect on a short field goal attempt. On the next drive, Hilliard escaped defender after defender, ran backwards and pushed forward for a huge touchdown run. Naehu connected on the PAT, score tied 41-41.
On the following drive, the Wheelers defense forced a fumble as Edwards lunged his body forward. The call was initially ruled a fumble, then taken back, then challenged by Coach Ross. Officials confirmed, it was indeed a fumble.
Quad City took over and IFL MVP candidate E.J. Hilliard launched a bomb that was caught by WR Keyvan Rudd for what would end up being the game-winning touchdown!
Frisco QB T.J. Edwards launched a bomb deep into the end zone on the following drive, but the pass fell just short, ending an absolute thriller in Texas.
The Quad City Steamwheelers are the 2022 IFL Eastern Conference Champions and will face the winner of tomorrow night’s Western Conference Championship game between the Arizona Rattlers and the Northern Arizona Wranglers.