Game 5 Preview at San Diego

By Timothy Wallis

After defeating one of the league's last two undefeated team last week, the Quad City Steamwheelers will once again travel on the road, this time, to the Golden State. The now 2-2 Wheelers will travel to San Diego, California, for an inter-conference matchup with the San Diego Strike Force, a playoff team last season, and currently sits at 2-1.

Kick-off is at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at the Frontwave Arena in San Diego, CA. 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. 

About the Steamwheelers

Last week, the Steamwheelers bounced back from a slow start and took control early, grabbing the lead on a Jarrod Ware Jr. touchdown and never giving it up in a 51–36 win. Quarterback Daquan Neal led the offense efficiently, throwing four touchdowns with no interceptions while adding 99 rushing yards and a score. The offense surged in the second and third quarters behind big plays from Ware, Keyvan Rudd, and Jordan Vesey, building a comfortable lead. Defensively, the Steamwheelers made key stops throughout, highlighted by a goal-line stand and a late interception by Kevin Ransom Jr. to seal the game. With the help of a balanced offense and timely defense, the Wheelers were powered to a decisive victory and improved to 2–2. On offense, Neal continues his formidable season and leads the league in a handful of things. His 15 passing touchdowns, 552 passing yards, 210 rushing yards, 52.5 rushing yards per game and 5.7 yards per rush are all first in those categories, somehow improving from last season, where he proved to be a dynamic option. Receiver Quian Williams also continues to lead the league with seven receiving touchdowns while also racking up the second-most receiving yards with 197. On defense, Kevin Ransom's four interceptions lead the league, while Jamon Williams ' two picks are tied for the second most by an individual.

QC - Players to Watch

Keyvan Rudd / WR - Last week, the Steamwheeler legend had his best game of the young season so far, racking up five receptions for 49 yards and two touchdowns, including an acrobatic dive and flip into the endzone against the Blizzard. Rudd will once again look to be a consistent weapon for Neal against a Strike Force team that allows 156.3 passing yards per game, the fifth highest in the IFL.

KeShaun Moore / DL - Last week, the All-IFL defensive lineman was a key reason why the Steamwheelers were able to take down one of the league's top teams last week, totaling four tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. Despite not having a sack yet this season, Moore is primed to break out to show his regular dominant play as the weeks go on, despite getting a lot of attention from opponents' offensive lines.

About the Strike Force

Last week, the Strike Force faced off against the Tucson Sugar Skulls, where they secured a 48–42 victory. San Diego came out fast and built a commanding 34–14 lead before halftime behind quarterback Nate Davis and their explosive offense. Although they were held scoreless in the third quarter as their rhythm was disrupted, the Strike Force had already established a strong cushion. Davis continued to lead the offense despite a turnover, keeping San Diego in position late in the game. After briefly losing the lead in the fourth quarter, the Strike Force responded when it mattered most with a clutch, game-winning touchdown to help move to 2-1. Offensively, the Strike Force isn't the best in terms of statistics. Their 39 points per game only rank 11th in the league, while their 49.3 rushing yards per game rank 12th. However, their passing game is pretty steady, with their 175.3 passing yards per game placing them fifth-most. On defense, they force a good amount of turnovers, snagging five interceptions and recovering a single fumble. They allow 214.7 total yards per game, 131 points allowed total, and 58.3 rushing yards per game, all of which rank them in the middle of the pack among the league.

San Diego - Players to Watch

Edward Vander / RB - A former Steamwheeler, Vander has had another impressive season, this time in the Western Conference. Through three games played, Vander's 123 rushing yards are the third most in the league, while his six touchdowns are the second most. The Wheelers' defense allows the second-fewest amount of rushing yards, only allowing 41.5 per game, so this matchup will be one to watch.

William Barber / DB - A Robert Morris product, the defensive back can fly across the field, to put it lightly. In his first season with San Diego, so far, he leads the league with 19 solo tackles and 21 total tackles, which is the eighth most. Also, with one interception, Barber will not only be a threat through the air, but in the run game as well.

Last Time Around….

The Steamwheelers and Strike Force last met on 3/28/23 in San Diego, where the Steamwheelers took home a 49-47 win.