Wheelers sink on the road during the second Battle of I-80

By Timothy Wallis

During the second Battle of I-80 iteration this season, the Quad City Steamwheelers traveled west to take on the Iowa Barnstormers. After a lot of self-inflicted wounds, the Wheelers ended up falling 35-25, which moved their record to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in conference

Quad City wasted little time getting on the board. On the opening drive, quarterback Daquan Neal connected with Jordan Vesey on a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Steamwheelers an early 6-0 advantage. Iowa answered immediately with a touchdown reception of its own to even the score at 6-6.

The Wheelers regained control on their second possession when kicker Jan Bogdan drilled a field goal to put Quad City back in front, 9-6. The defense then delivered its first big play of the game, as defensive back Camron Harrell intercepted an Iowa pass to preserve the lead heading into the second quarter.

Quad City extended its advantage early in the second quarter when Jarrod Ware punched in a rushing touchdown, capping off the third offensive drive and giving the Steamwheelers a 16-6 lead. Iowa responded with a touchdown of its own to cut the deficit to 16-13, but the Wheelers answered once again.

Neal led another efficient scoring drive and found Quian Williams for an 18-yard touchdown pass, extending the Quad City lead to 23-13. The defense held strong after Iowa missed a field goal on its next possession, allowing the Steamwheelers to carry a 10-point lead late into the half. Bogdan had an opportunity to add to the margin before halftime, but his field goal attempt was no good, keeping the score at 23-13 heading into the break.

The second half opened with an unusual spark for Quad City, as Bogdan nailed a deuce on the kickoff to stretch the lead to 25-13. However, that proved to be the final points of the night for the Steamwheelers.

Iowa began chipping away on its next possession with a touchdown pass to narrow the score to 25-19. On Quad City's following drive, Neal was intercepted, giving Iowa another opportunity to capitalize. The Barnstormers took full advantage, finding the end zone again on their next drive to tie the game at 25-25.

Quad City had a chance to reclaim momentum late in the third quarter, but another missed Bogdan field goal kept the game deadlocked entering the final frame.

The Barnstormers completed the comeback early in the fourth quarter with a field goal to take their first lead of the game at 28-25. Quad City's offense stalled at the worst possible moment, turning the ball over on downs on its next possession.

Iowa put the game out of reach on its next drive with another touchdown pass, extending the lead to 35-25. Facing a two-possession deficit, the Steamwheelers were once again stopped on downs during their final drive, effectively ending any comeback hopes. Iowa ran out the clock on its final possession to seal the victory.

After scoring 23 points in the first half and adding a deuce to open the third quarter, the Steamwheelers were shut out offensively over the game's final 28 minutes. What looked like a comfortable lead quickly vanished as Iowa closed the game on a 22-0 run after Bogdan's deuce.

With the loss, the Steamwheelers drop to 2-5 overall and 2-4 in Eastern Conference play. Next week, things won't get any easier for them, as the team travels to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to take on their rivals in the Green Bay Blizzard. The game, on Friday, May 3, is at 7:00 pm at the Resch Center, and to watch, you can view on Overnght.