Wheelers Storm the Barn, Gets Revenge

By Timothy Wallis

In the third and final matchup between the Quad City Steamwheelers and the Iowa Barnstormers of the 2026 season, the Wheelers were entering the matchup hoping to redeem their road loss at the Casey's Center in May. After a physical and tiring game for both sides, the Steamwheelers got their revenge on the road by defeating Iowa 42-17, and will enter the next bye week on a two-game win streak.

The Wheelers wasted no time getting on the board, and on the very first play from scrimmage, quarterback Daquan Neal connected with Quian Williams for a long touchdown strike for a quick 7-0 lead. The defense immediately followed suit and held their own. After Iowa returned the kickoff deep into Quad City territory, the Barnstormers appeared to be close to answering right back, but defensive back Donnell Brown stepped in front of a pass and intercepted Iowa quarterback Dante Aviles-Santos.

Quad City turned that takeaway into points when Neal led a drive down to the Iowa goal line before Jazeric Peterson punched in a one-yard touchdown run. Although the extra point was missed, the Steamwheelers extended their lead to 13-0.

The Barnstormers threatened again late in the first quarter, driving inside the Quad City 10-yard line. However, Aviles-Santos lost a fumble while scrambling, and Malik Duncan recovered to preserve the two-score advantage heading into the second quarter. Pinned at their own two-yard line early in the second, the Steamwheelers pieced together a drive behind Neal and running back Jarrod Ware Jr., and later on Trenton Barnes. However, in Iowa territory, Neal exited the game with an injury, and the drive stalled, but kicker Nolan Krinsky connected on a field goal to push the lead to 16-0.

The turnovers continued for Iowa on its next possession when Aviles-Santos attempted a deep pass toward the end zone, but defensive back Camron Harrell intercepted the throw at the goal line to give the ball back to Quad City. Backup quarterback Judd Roberts then guided the offense on an 18-yard scoring drive, and it was finished when Williams ran in for a touchdown, giving the Steamwheelers a commanding 22-0 lead with just over a minute remaining in the half. Iowa managed to avoid a first-half shutout as they drilled a field goal as time expired, sending the teams into halftime with Quad City leading 22-3.

The Steamwheelers opened the second half with a great drive, but a tipped pass was intercepted in the end zone. Despite that, the Quad City defense quickly erased that mistake. At the Quad City 14-yard line, Iowa appeared ready to capitalize on favorable field position. However, Duncan jumped another pass and returned it for a touchdown, extending the lead to 29-3.

The Barnstormers finally found the end zone later in the third quarter, but a failed two-point conversion kept the deficit at 29-9. On the next drive, Roberts converted a crucial fourth-down pass to Peterson before Barnes capped the drive with a rushing touchdown from three yards out. At the end of the third quarter, the Steamwheelers carried a 35-9 advantage into the final frame.

Iowa showed signs of life early in the fourth, putting together a touchdown drive capped by an Aviles-Santos pass to Demonte Martin and a successful two-point conversion that trimmed the lead to 35-17. On the Barnstormers' next possession, Aviles-Santos was pressured in his own end zone and lost the football while defensive lineman Charles Rosser recovered the loose ball for a touchdown, providing the final points of the evening and sealing the 42-17 victory.

The two quarterbacks, Daquan Neal and Judd Roberts, proved to be steady, leading the Wheelers' offense. Neal went 5-6 for 49 yards, one touchdown and also rushed three times for 13 yards, while Roberts went 3-8 for 38 yards and an interception, while also rushing four times for 12 yards. Trenton Barnes ran the ball for 13 carries, totaling 64 yards and a touchdown. Quian Williams caught three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown, also having one rush for three yards and a touchdown. Jazeric Peterson only caught one pass for 20 yards, but had two carries, one of which found the endzone for a touchdown.

On defense, the leading tackler for the Wheelers was Steven Adair, who racked up nine tackles, a half tackle for loss, and a forced fumble. KeShaun Moore had another great game as well, with six tackles, two sacks, and 2.5 tackles for loss. Camron Harrell, Malik Duncan, and Donnell Brown all snagged interceptions, and Charles Rosser, as well as Duncan, recovered fumbles too.

The sQUAD earn another much-needed Eastern Conference victory, improving to 5-7 overall and 4-5 in conference play, keeping their playoff dreams alive. Next week, the team will have a much-needed bye week as they recover from a few injuries, but the work does not get any easier. After the bye week, the Wheelers will return home to host the 6-5 Orlando Pirates on Sunday, June 28, at the Wheelhouse at Vibrant Arena, at 3:00 pm.