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Steamwheelers waive Cawley, Phifer
Craig DeVrieze

The Quad-City Steamwheelers on Monday waived veteran quarterback Mike Cawley and wide receiver-defensive back Hiawatha Phifer.

Meanwhile, coach Rich Ingold said he expects to know by next week whether former Wheeler standout offensive specialist Shon King will join the team when training camp opens March 18.

King, MVP of the Steamwheelers first ArenaCup championship, was waived by the New York Dragons early in the AFL

teams training camp.

Ingold indicated it is likely King will play here, but the coach said he has advised the player to be sure he has no opportunities to join an AFL

team before making a final decision.

King has picked a return to the Steamwheelers over playing for the af2 team in his home town of San Diego.

This is where he wants to play, Ingold said.

King scored five touchdowns in ArenaCup I and owns the Steamwheelers single-season touchdown record with 47 in the inaugural 2000 season. He had 135 receptions that season for 1,814 yards and scored 284 points.

He played the past two seasons with the AFL Dragons but was forced to play defensive back in addition to receiver last season.

Phifer was Kings teammate in 2000 and along with Josh Fourdyce, Damon Williams and Corey Brown is one of four players who were part of all three previous Steamwheelers seasons.

Ingold said Phifer told him at the end of last season that he did not plan to return to af2 this year.

The coach said attempts to contact the veteran since have not been successful.

A three-year starter, Phifer last year led the team in tackles with 83.5, had six interceptions and was credited with 13 pass breakups. He also recovered two fumbles and forced a pair.

He also caught 19 passes for 177 yards and four touchdowns.

Cawley led Q-C to a 5-2 stretch-run record after replacing Tony Zimmerman, who suffered a broken leg near midseason.

Cawley completed 143 of 262 passes for 1,827 yards and 39 touchdowns while throwing just eight interceptions. He also ran for seven touchdowns.

Cawley had been eager to rejoin the Wheelers since being waived in AFL training camp by Buffalo, but Ingold already had committed QB slots to Zimmerman and Ronnie Gordon.

Cawley will turn 31 in August, while Zimmerman is 25.

I need to provide an opportunity to a younger guy, Ingold said.

Ingold said he spoke with a disappointed Cawley on Monday and said the player plans to pursue other af2 opportunities.

Hes going to shop himself around, Ingold said. He may even end up in Peoria.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

 King not expected to return to Q-C  March 18th
Craig DeVrieze

The Quad-City Steamwheelers might add one more player to their roster before training camp opens this week, but that player is not likely to be former Wheeler star Shon King.

King, the MVP of the 2000 ArenaCup, has not called coach Rich Ingold since expressing an initial interest in rejoining the team.

I havent heard from him, so I am moving on, Ingold said last week. I would like to have him, but it has got to be the right fit. If he wanted to be here, he would be calling me.

King played the past two seasons for the New York Dragons of the Arena Football League. He was waived by New York in January.

Last week, Kings former  Q-C teammate Cornelius Coe signed with the AFLs Los Angeles Avengers. He will team with another former Wheeler mate, lineman Sean McNamara.

Veteran Wheelers are ready for camp   March 18th
Craig DeVrieze

Quad-City Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold will have an advantage of knowing a sizable core of his players when the team opens training camp this week.

Ingold will welcome back 12 members of last years 10-6 Wheelers club when 34 hopefuls gather for a precamp meeting tonight and come

together again Wednesday night for the teams first practice at the BGB Sports Complex in Davenport.

Ingold will have less than two days to trim his

roster to 30, and then less than two weeks to get down to 21 in preparation for the April 4 season opener against Hawaii at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

Im getting nervous, Ingold said last week. This is headache time.

There are fewer headaches than a year ago, when Ingold was new to the job, as were most of his Steamwheelers candidates.

The thing I like about what I have right now is I have a lot of experience, he said. Last year we had four guys who had played before.

This year Ingold starts with three Steamwheelers fullback-linebacker Josh Fourdyce and linemen Damon Williams and Corey Brown who have played for the team in each of its previous three seasons.

As importantly, he welcomes back second-year quarterback Tony Zimmerman, plus an experienced challenger in former Peoria Pirate Ronnie Gordon.

Much of last years camp was a crash course to teach Zimmerman the vital nuances of playing quarterback in the fast-paced indoor game.

This year he knows the system and the people around him, said Ingold, who stressed that Zimmerman and Gordon will compete for the starting nod.

Surrounding the quarterback are several solid contenders for the offensive specialist and wide receiver-defensive back positions.

I really like my skill people, said the coach.

That group is headed by Ira Gooch, who last year set a league record for all-purpose yards with 3,472 and also caught 100 passes for 1,533 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Gooch will be challenged at OS by Jeff Hewitt, a two-way player a year ago, and by newcomer Randall Lane, a Purdue product who once set a Big Ten record for single-game receptions.

All three also could be candidates to play two ways along with, among others, former Iowa speedster Tim Dodge.

Ingolds Steamwheelers field their most experience on the line, with second-year returnees Cory Bern, T.J. Schneckloth and Michael Schaefer joining Williams and Brown in the mix. A question mark there will be third-year Wheeler Justin Thies, who is returning from a season-ending knee injury.

The key camp challenge for Ingold will come in the defensive backfield. Ex-Iowa Hawkeye Eric Thigpen, Hewitt and Shawn Orr return, but a key loss was former Davenport North and Northern Iowa star Brent Browner.

A second-half 2002 addition who anchored the secondary at safety and had 10 interceptions in eight games, Browner is one of four 2002 Wheelers who made the move up to the Arena Football League this year.

A key addition in the defensive backfield is Lee Wiggins, a former South Carolina star who played AFL ball for Ingold when he was defensive coordinator of the New Jersey Gladiators two years ago.

I know Wiggins, Thigpen and Orr can play, Ingold said. What I have got to find out from this crew is who can play safety.

The Steamwheelers also must replace AFL players at wide receiver-linebacker, where MVP Chris Anthony is gone. Fullback-linebacker Frank Trentadue also is gone.

Fourdyce is the most experienced fullback-linebacker, but he will be helped by Asa Francis, another former Gladiator. O.J. Payne, who played at Iowa and Davenport West, also will challenge there.

LaVance Banks returns at wide receiver-linebacker.

Ingold hopes to learn a lot about this team from three practice sessions scheduled this weekend at the University of Iowas practice bubble. The Wheelers will have two sessions there Saturday and another Sunday.

Ingold used former Hawkeye and second-year Wheeler assistant coach Jon Roehlks ties to Iowa to gain permission to use the bubble.

It just worked out, he said. We can do everything up there kick and do special teams. You can just get a lot of work done in that facility.

Ingold also will use a controlled scrimmage against a traveling team of Australians on March 28 at The Mark to assess his talent.

Joining veterans Fourdyce (Westmer High), Thies (United Township), Banks (Bettendorf), Schneckloth and Gooch (Davenport West) in camp will be new locals Payne, Matt Forbes (Assumption) and Randy Laing (Tipton).

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Ingold wants more from No. 2 line  March 26th
Craig DeVrieze

Rich Ingold likes the look of one Quad-City Steamwheelers line.

Problem is, the indoor game requires two.

The Steamwheelers coach said he can win with a starting line of veterans Cory Bern, T.J. Schneckloth and Michael Schaefer, but he is looking for improvement from an equally veteran No. 2 group featuring Damon Williams, Corey Brown and Justin Theis.

Damon is playing steady, Ingold said of fourth-year Wheeler Williams. I just need him to turn it up a notch.

Thies and Brown need to return to game conditioning, he said. Thats a particular challenge for former United Township star Thies, who is returning from a knee injury in 2002.

He is getting by on pure toughness, Ingold said. He hasnt missed a rep.

Meanwhile, Ingold said former Davenport preps O.J. Payne and Matt Forbes are making impressive training-camp bids to win first-time roster spots. Ingold also said he will not seek camp competition for kicker Brian Hegnauer.

He looks great, Ingold said. I like the way he finished last year, and I am very impressed with the way he is kicking now.

Davisons move to IR leaves spot for Davenports Houston  March 27th
Craig DeVrieze

Derrick Davisons misfortune might be James Houstons opportunity.

The Quad-City Steamwheelers on Wednesday signed Houston, another former Davenport West prep. He will vie for a roster spot at fullback-linebacker, possibly filling a void owed to the knee problems of former Iowa Hawkeye Davison.

Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold said Davison has been placed on long-term injured reserve, meaning he wont be eligible to play until the fifth game.

Ingold fears Davison will be out longer than that.

Im afraid he might not even be back at all, said the coach. He has really fought through some pain.

Davison won last years Steamwheelers Coaches Award after being a demon on special teams despite injuring his left knee in the seasons second game. He played in 13 games in 2002, then had cartilage removed from the knee in December.

Houston joins former West High teammates Ira Gooch and T.J. Schneckloth on the Wheeler roster. He also was a teammate of Matt Forbes at William Penn University. He played basketball and football at Ellsworth Junior College.

He is a pretty physical guy, Ingold said.

Also Wednesday, the Wheelers waived a pair of prospects: Jason McCleary, a defensive specialist from Northern Iowa, and Corey McGriff, a fullback-linebacker from Southwest Missouri State.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Q-Cs Bern yearns to show his stuff on defense  March 27th
Craig DeVrieze

Cory Bern got it backward last year.

A former college nose guard at Iowa and then Western Illinois, Bern turned out to be the Quad-City Steamwheelers best offensive lineman in his rookie season in the two-way arenafootball2 game.

This year Bern plans to shine on defense, too.

It was kind of funny last year, he said. I was more comfortable on offense. This years emphasis is to come along as a pass rusher.

A 6-foot-3, 300-pound mass of muscle from Spencer, Iowa, Bern was named the Steamwheeler Lineman of the Year in 2002 after emerging, in coach Rich Ingolds words, as the teams best pass blocker.

On defense he added 14.5 tackles and was fourth on the team with a pair of quarterback sacks, but those are numbers that pale next to Berns sizable expectations.

Im not even going to tell you, because I dont want to jinx myself, Bern said when asked to identify defensive production that might satisfy him this season. Try to get a sack every game. If that happens, its phenomenal. A sack every other game, Id be happy.

On the other hand, he said, Im not going to set any goals on my defense. Id rather just let things happen the way they do.

Berns success on offense happened naturally last year.

I couldnt tell you, he said when asked to explain the fit. I gave it a shot at Iowa one time, and it didnt work out. Last year it just clicked for me.

Berns uncanny strength probably had something to do with it. One look tells you he puts in his time in the weight room.

I pride myself in having a good work ethic, he said. Pass blocking is a lot of balance and knowing where to put your body compared to the other guy. I just try and get on him right away, lock onto him and use my strength and balance.

Ingold said Bern appeared to put in even more time in the weight room during the offseason, and he said early returns are encouraging.

He looks really good right now, the coach said. I think hes going to be a force in the league this year. I think hes got a bright future in this game.

Given his size and offensive success, Bern might have earned at least a look at the Arena Football League level over the winter. That didnt happen, he said, because it isnt something he pursued.

I really didnt even try, Bern said. I really didnt even know if I was going to play another season of football, and throughout my training my mind-set was here and there. Finally it was already past the time to really get ready for an AFL team.

I just decided to come back here and be loyal to these coaches, the team and the community. Its comfortable here.

Bern does not care to elaborate on the reasons he pondered quitting, but he definitely is past that now.

Personal reasons, he said. I felt like I needed to get rid of football and maybe move on with a career or something like that. But as time went on, I realized this is one opportunity I dont want to miss out on. I dont want to look back later in life and wish I had done it.

One more season here and then next season well see how things go.

In the AFL?

Or higher, he declared. I found out Im a good offensive lineman, so who knows? I could be playing guard somewhere.

Yes. Bern believes even a shot at the NFL is possible.

Youve just got to know the right people, he said of gaining a shot at the bigs. Get a connection and a tryout and get a coach to look at you. Youve got to show your stuff on that day, right then and there. You impress them, they invite you to camp, and you take it from there.

For now, though, Berns focus is here.

Right now my emphasis is on the Steamwheelers, he promised. We are off our probation, and Im looking to get a ring with all these guys.

We went through a lot of stuff last year. Nothing would make me happier than to share a championship with all these teammates who came back this year.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Wheelers cut 5 after easy victory   March 29th
Craig DeVrieze

The bell tolled for a couple of Bells after Fridays Quad-City Steamwheelers exhibition game.

Ryan Bell, a 6-foot-3, 310-pound lineman, and Shonn Bell, a 6-foot-6 receiver, were among five players Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold waived.

The Bells were joined by lineman Kyle Williams, fullback-linebacker Darrell Jack and receiver-defensive back Steve Perkins as Ingold made headway toward setting his season-starting 21-man roster.

He will and must finalize his roster by Monday afternoon, but the coach might not be forced to release any more players. He can place up to three players on short-term injured reserve and his roster now totals 24 players.

There are a few injuries, he said, noting O.J. Payne, Ira Gooch and Justin Thies are nursing various degrees of injury problems. Monday, I will see what is happening.

Ingold made the cut decisions Fridays because the team will be given the next two days off to rest. The Steamwheelers begin preparations Monday for Friday night's season opener against Hawaii at The Mark.

 I just wanted to lighten the load, he said.

He sure did that by letting the two big Bells go.

They are big guys but I cant fall in love with that, said the coach.

Although the competition was not stiff, Ingold did like what he saw of team in Fridays 60-7 win over Team Downunder.

I loved the effort, he said in praise of his team. I got more out of this than I thought I would.

Sentimental season for Wheelers'' Fourdyce April 4th

Craig DeVrieze

Josh and Jared Fourdyce were not Wally and Beaver Cleaver.

Or maybe they were.

Brothers get along. And brothers dont. Sometimes both at the same time.

We fought like cats and dogs, Josh, 25, remembered recently of his relationship with Jared, the 20-year-old brother he lost in an automobile accident in October. I think it was (because of) completely different personalities. I was kind of an introvert, he was an extrovert.

He loved attention, and he loved seeing everybody smiling and laughing and being the one everyone was always hanging around. I was kind of more laid-back. So we just kind of got on each others nerves. Or probably, he got on my nerves more so than I got on his.

For Josh, Jared and 19-year-old brother Joe, though, football always was a common bond. As they grew, it helped them become friends as well as family.

It was just something we all shared together, said Josh, who grew up in Joy, Ill., and starred in football at Westmer High School and Knox College. Football was our thing. I didnt get to play with them because they were younger, but they got to play (at Westmer) together. And they kind of just grew up watching older brother.

Jared wont be far from his heart when Josh starts his fourth season as a fullback-linebacker for the af2 Quad-City Steamwheelers tonight against Hawaii at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

Josh will have a picture of Jared taped inside his locker. His brothers initials will be written on his shoes. On his right arm, he will wear a tattoo he and Joe custom-designed and share.

I want to dedicate the season to him, the big brother said. But I dont want to have a horrible season and end up feeling bad.

One way or another, the coming season will be about Jared.

Josh made up his mind to play shortly after his brother died. He might have returned for a fourth season anyway, but the loss of his brother made it clear that he should.

For himself.

People take things for granted, and I am as guilty of that as anyone, he said. You get too busy, and you forget about the things that are really important. I just dont want to do that again. I dont want to take for granted the fact that I still can play. Probably in a few years Im not going to still be physically capable of playing. Why not do it while I still can?

And for his surviving family.

Its always been something where they all come to games together, he said. My parents are divorced, but Dad always came with my grandma, and Jared always came with Dad. Jareds friends would come and sometimes their families. And my Mom and her husband would come, and Joe would come with them.

It was one of those family things that we could all share together. I think thats probably the biggest thing.

The early resolve gave Josh a jump on preparing for the season.

At the end of every year I say Im going to play again, and then I take a couple of weeks off, and its like, I dont want to play again, he said. Then its like two or three months before the season starts and Ill decide I want to play again and start working real hard.

This year he started working out in November. He used the early start to try to get quicker, which is ironic, since Josh started his Wheelers career as the change-of-pace guy in the fullback equation.

Always strong, he began to grow bigger and stronger after reading a demeaning comment from former Q-C coach Frank Haege in a local newspaper.

The thing that motivates me most is people telling me I cant do something, he said. Frank and me got along, but he didnt like me as a player that much. One of his quotes in the Galesburg paper was that Fourdyce will never make it to the AFL level. Hes too small and not quick enough. I hang it in my locker.

I knew I had to gain weight. My first year I was maybe 235, 240 soaking wet. Him saying that is probably what drove me to change that.

Mission accomplished. Josh is listed at a pumped-up 260.

But thats not all.

I tried to really work on my quickness, he said. Last year I was too big and I wasnt mobile enough. Ive got the size. Now I need to get the feet to go along with it.

Steamwheelers coach Rich Ingold said his fullback-linebacker has got the goods to run into Haege in the AFL.

He is better than a lot of guys in the AFL right now, Ingold said. He is 260 pounds and is killing people. If he plays the way he is capable of playing and stays away from the injury bug, he is the first guy (the AFL) will come get next year.

Josh, who has a stable job running his own financial services operation, has watched 13 Steamwheelers teammates make that AFL move over the past three seasons.

Im happy for them, he said. Im not trying to hate on their success, but, yeah, it bothered me sometimes to see guys move up who I feel I am as good as or better.

This season, the one dedicated to his lost brother, might be the season Josh wins his chance.

Whether or not it is, Im going to give it my best, he said. I am a little different than most guys. If I move up, great. If not, thats not my major ambition. Ive got a nice career. My family is from here, and I like the area. So Im not hell-bent on trying to get to the next level. But if I do, I am obviously not going to pass it up.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Steamwheelers look for a better year at the gate  April 4th
Craig DeVrieze

Season-ticket sales are slightly below last years sanction-impeded numbers, and a tight economy is posing another challenge, but the Quad-City Steamwheelers still expect to exceed last years average attendance of 5,717.

In what managing owner Jim Foster terms a critical year, the Wheelers hope to offset the drop in season tickets with an increase in group sales and sponsorships.

The Steamwheelers have sold 2,250 season tickets, down a few hundred from last year.

Foster said sponsorship sales are ahead of last year, partly because of increased credibility from the Arena Football Leagues exposure each Sunday on NBC.

That has been a positive, he said. They have said, This is a bigger deal than I thought ... .

In another positive, the team has sold two limited partnerships, to Chris Ontiveros of Bi-State Packing and to Kevin Swanson of Plaza Physical Therapy.

Foster said there are as many as seven or eight other candidates to purchase limited-ownership stakes.

That is important, Foster said, because of the added contacts new ownership can bring.

We want to get local owners who know the community and can help us reach out, he said.

Foster moved to the Quad-Cities from Des Moines in the offseason and is playing the role of his own general manager.

It is a big year coming off the challenges we had last year, he said. We have got to do a better job on our end, and getting local ownership involved will help.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Angry Wheelers trying to regroup April 14th
Craig DeVrieze

Rich Ingold is not angry because his Quad-City Steamwheelers are 0-2.

He is angry because they could be 2-0.

I would be a different guy if we were getting whacked by 48 points, Ingold said.

The Steamwheelers, instead are winless, despite being outscored by a slim total of four points. Both of their losses were not sealed until errant last-second kicks.

Ingold will attempt to rectify the kicking problem through a two-day open competition pitting embattled incumbent Brian Hegnauer and a  37-year-old challenger who has tried out for the Chicago Bears and was a training camp cut of the AFL San Jose SaberCats earlier this year.

Rich Ehmke, who was an all-American at Eastern Illinois, has been signed to a two-day practice waiver and could be in uniform when the Steamwheelers host Wilkes Barre-Scranton (0-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

He and Hegnauer are going to compete and the guy I feel most comfortable with after the two days will be my kicker, Ingold said.

Other Steamwheelers changes will be less drastic, but perhaps more important.

Ingold must fix a secondary that ranks three spots from the bottom of the af2 in pass defense while also replacing one of its key parts, injured second-year corner Eric Thigpen.

Thigpen was lost for the year to a torn ACL in last weeks 62-59 loss at Tennessee Valley. His place on the roster likely will be taken by AFL veteran Lee Wiggins, who is eligible to play after a two-week stint on the injured reserve list with a hip flexor.

Wiggins wont necessarily replace Thigpen at field corner, the more challenging of the two corner spots. Instead, Ingold said he will consider using two-way receiver-defensive back Tim Dodge in that spot. Wiggins could battle Shawn Orr for the other cornerback position.

For now, Matt Forbes will continue to man the safety spot in the middle of the defensive backfield but Ingold stressed that is a tenuous hold.

Forbes was close to making the game-winning play on fourth-and-goal late in last weeks loss, when TV receiver Jerrian James caught the game-winning touchdown on his back in the end zone with 16 seconds left and Forbes in very close coverage.

Close coverage is not going to count anymore, though.

He needs to make plays he is there but he is not making them, Ingold said of Forbes. The bottom line is I need Matt Forbes to play like he practices. He is two different guys.

The Steamwheelers are two different teams.

While the defense has struggled to make stops, the offense has been close to unstoppable.

The Steamwheelers are averaging a league-best 313.5 yards per game through the air, more than 45 yards more than No. 2 Tennessee Valley.

Quarterback Tony Zimmerman is the leagues top passer and has thrown for an af2-best 13 touchdowns.

Offensive specialist Jeff Hewitt leads the league in all-purpose yards with an average of 262.5 per game.

We know we are a good football team, Ingold said. Just because we are sitting here 0-2 doesnt mean crap. Both Hawaii and Tennessee Valley know they escaped. I dont want anybody doubting themselves right now. We are a feared 0-2 football team.

They also are an 0-2 football team that is just a half game behind in the National Conferences Midwest Division. Louisville leads the division at 1-1 and the other four teams are 0-2.

I dont even look at the standings but the players do, Ingold said. We just need to get a win. If we take it one game at a time, the standings will take care of themselves.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

DoubleDeuce hears his number called
Craig DeVrieze  April 16th

Jeff Hewitt more than played an outstanding football game last week in Huntsville, Ala.

He probably sold a few T-shirts, too.

Already a hard-working entrepreneur and a Quad-City Steamwheeler in good standing, Hewitt made his Wheelers debut at the offensive specialist position in a 62-59 loss to the Tennessee Valley Vipers.

The former wide receiver/defensive back is likely to remain at the spotlight OS position. He caught 10 passes for 209 yards and six touchdowns and now leads arenafootball2 in scoring (42 points) and all-purpose yards (262.5 per game) and ranks second in receiving yards per game (126.5).

On Tuesday, Hewitt was named af2 Offensive Player of the Week for his performance.

He was lighting it up, coach Rich Ingold said of Hewitts big game. He is tough. He is competitive. And I feel very comfortable with him at OS.

Hewitt a 5-foot-11, 190-pound, second-year Wheeler from Jacksonville, Fla. feels comfortable at OS, but he stressed: That was only one game. If I can be consistent with games like that, I will feel a lot more confident.

And he likely will sell a lot more T-shirts.

Based on his number, 22, Hewitt has trademarked the phrase DoubleDeuce, and he has been marketing shirts with the name since last year. He custom orders the shirts through a local company, and fans can place an order by calling the Steamwheelers offices.

Its a side hustle, he said. My second job.

Actually, it is his fourth job.

Hewitt also works days as a member of the health and fitness staff at the Davenport North YMCA and as a recruiting coordinator for the after-school programs at Wood Intermediate School in Davenport.

The two jobs match his major at Southwest Missouri State University. Hewitt hasnt graduated yet, but his star turn with the Steamwheelers could be his ticket to finishing school, too.

Right now football is my main focus because I want to move up (to the Arena Football League) make some money and then go back to school, said Hewitt, who is 12 credit hours shy of his degree.

If Hewitt keeps schooling af2 defensive backs, he should accomplish his mission.

That would be a testament to patience and effort.

Hewitt last year labored somewhat in obscurity as the Wheelers No. 3 pass-catching option, behind Chris Anthony and Ira Gooch.

As a two-way player, he had 45 receptions for 575 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also scored on a kickoff return a feat he matched in this years season-opening loss to Hawaii two weeks ago at The Mark of the Quad-Cities and he ran for a score.

On defense he had 23.5 tackles and was credited with three pass breakups.

Hewitts seven-catch, 113-yard, two-touchdown game in the regular-season finale got Ingold thinking about playing No. 22 at OS this season, but those plans changed when Ingold inked former Purdue standout Randall Lane in the offseason.

The 26-year-old Hewitt essentially was victimized by his ability to play both sides of the football, but he did not pout when his role was re-revised.

That is coachs job to figure out who fits good where, he said. If he said, You can be my best two-way guy, my OS or a receiver/linebacker, I was willing to take it and go, as long as I could be out there on the field.

Hewitt got his shot to be the limelight guy because Gooch, last years OS, came to camp looking for a two-way role to enhance his AFL stock and because Lane struggled to catch some easy balls in the opener.

Hewitt said he dropped a few, too, last week I had one fourth-down drop I would love to have back, he confessed but he was plenty steady enough to claim the job.

I trust him bottom line, Ingold said. He is my guy because I know hes going to lay it on the line.

Thats the plan.

If I am put in a position to make a play and I can make the play, everything else will work itself out, Hewitt said. By no means am I the best receiver ever, but I do want to be coached to be the best receiver I can be.

Forbes sees progress in third Wheelers start
Craig DeVrieze   April 23rd

Defensive specialist Matt Forbes had team highs with 7.5 tackles and three passes defensed in Fridays 66-34 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

After two rough starts, the former Davenport Assumption star got a needed boost in confidence.

I knew I had it in me, he said. I just had to bring it to the game.

Said coach Rich Ingold: He played well, and I think it was good for him to come out of the game feeling good about himself.

Ingold was especially impressed with Forbes tackling, which included an early hit that knocked a Pioneers receiver over the wall.

He played with some fire Friday night, said the coach. He needs to build on that because we will see better people.

The Steamwheelers also got a boost from another defensive specialist.

Shawn Orr had a hell of a game, linebacker Ira Gooch said of the 5-foot-8 sparkplug who had four tackles.

Orr said Ingold called the backfield out before the game.

We won so we answered the challenge, he said. But theres always room for improvement.

Gordon sees action

Backup quarterback Ronnie Gordon saw his first Steamwheelers action in a mop-up role in Fridays fourth quarter.

He completed 2 of 3 passes for 46 yards and a touchdown and rushed for nine yards, but he also failed to handle a pair of snaps, both of which the Steamwheelers got back.

Ronnies a talent, but Im hard on him, Ingold said. You cant go in there and fumble snaps. He has got to go in and be effective.

Steamwheelers items

The Steamwheelers on Friday could field two fullbacks with tender hamstrings. Josh Fourdyce, who sat out last weeks game with a bad hammy, is expected back. Asa Francis, who replaced him as starter, tweaked a hamstring after Fridays game but he is expected to play. James Houston could be bound for the taxi squad.

Mike Cawley, last years midseason replacement for quarterback Tony Zimmerman, has been traded from Rochester to Memphis. Cawley played in one game for Rochester but left the team before last weeks loss to Norfolk. He has reported to Memphis.

Kicker Brian Hegnauer has officially been released by the Steamwheelers but he has not been claimed by another af2 team.

Stat stuff

Jeff Hewitts 72 points lead the league by 18. Hewitt leads in receiving yards per game (128.7) and ranks third in receptions (24). He also leads the league in all-purpose yards (241.3 per game).

Zimmerman leads by 30 in passing yards per contest (290.3), by 27 in total offense (292.0) and by three in passing touchdowns (19). He is second to Peorias Charlie Peterson in quarterback rating (122.1).

The Steamwheelers are tied for the lead in scoring offense (59 points per game) and lead in total offense (308.3), passing offense (301), pass rating (123.2), penalties (20.0 yards per game) and opponents penalties (18.3). They are third in sacks against (2) but last in sacks (1). They also are second from the bottom in total defense (279.7).

Wheelers hold on in Bakersfield
QUAD-CITY TIMES STAFF  APRIL 26th

The Quad-City SteamWheelers dominated the third quarter Saturday night against Bakersfield, but they had to sweat out the final minute to come home with a 37-34 victory.

A pair of third-quarter Blitz turnovers led to two Quad-Cities touchdowns, and a safety just before the end of the period to make the score 37-20. But the Wheelers offense stalled in the fourth quarter.

"We just broke down in certain areas offensively," Q-C coach Rich Ingold said on the WOC postgame radio show. "Our pass protection has got to get better."

Bakersfield drew within 37-34 with 1 minute, 13 seconds to go, and Q-Cs Matt Forbes recovered the ensuing onside kick.

The Wheelers drove to the Bakersfield 2, then called for a timeout, which was whistled at the 4-second mark. Quarterback Tony Zimmerman was tackled after a negligible gain, and the referees had to call both teams back onto the field for another play, a throwaway pass that lifted Q-C to 2-2.

"I want them to enjoy this," coach Rich Ingold said. "This is a hard-fought game."

SteamWheelers kicker Rich Ehmke hit all five of his extra-point attempts, but he missed a 51-yard field goal on the final play of the first half.

Winning Wheelers turning focus to Peoria
Craig DeVrieze APRIL 27th

The ink barely was dry on Saturdays 37-34 Quad-City SteamWheelers win over hosting Bakersfield before Wheelers coach Rich Ingold turned his attention to a showdown this week with the defending af2 champion Peoria Pirates.

It is going to be a bloodbath, and

we are going to be ready, Ingold predicted of Friday nights 7:30 meeting at The Mark of the Quad-Cities between the only champions in af2s short history and the two Illinois squads who also

might own the patent on the leagues fiercest rivalry.

The SteamWheelers got ready Saturday in California by scoring a narrow victory that evened their record at 2-2 and gave them a share of the National Conference Midwest Division lead.

Peoria will come to The Mark with a 1-3 mark after losing 54-50 on Friday in Louisville, Ky. But Ingold told WOC radios Jim Albracht that he fears the wounded beast.

Particularly because it is a Peoria crew that loves to best the SteamWheelers.

They are struggling now to find their identity, Ingold said. But (Peoria coach Bruce) Cowdrey will bring in a team that will be physical and get after us.

The SteamWheelers flew home from California on Sunday. They have some work to do this week before they are ready for the Pirates.

Thanks to special-teams breakdowns and offensive inefficiency, they barely beat Bakersfield (1-3) after building a 37-20 lead heading into the final quarter.

After getting four rushing touchdowns from quarterback Tony Zimmerman to build that bulge, the SteamWheelers league-leading offense failed to score on four fourth-quarter turns with the football.

Bakersfield, meanwhile, used a 56-yard missed field goal return by JSharlon Jones midway through the final quarter to close the gap. They then scored on a 20-yard Chad Elliott-to-Gerrick Bivins pass with a 1 minute, 30 seconds left in the game to tighten things further.

Zimmerman and the Q-C offense were able to run out the clock, but that was the only fourth-quarter accomplishment the Wheelers offense could brag about.

The SteamWheelers defense stepped up big, however. Diminutive defensive specialist Shawn Orr intercepted a Bakersfield touchdown bid early in the fourth, and Q-C scored a safety by tackling Elliott in the end zone as the third quarter ended.

Bakersfield was limited to 138 passing yards and ran for 44.

Quad-City kicker Rich Ehmke struggled on kickoffs but was perfect on five PAT tries, and he might have saved the game when he stripped the football from Bakersfields Corey McCoy as the latter was streaking toward the end zone with the second-half-starting kickoff. Josh Fourdyce recovered the fumble.

Zimmerman ran the football in from 1 yard out three times and from 14 yards away once to help the SteamWheelers build their cushion. But he completed only 15 of 34 passes for 203 yards 100 less than the SteamWheelers averaged through the air through three games and his only touchdown pass was an 8-yarder to Jeff Hewitt to open the scoring in the first quarter.

Ingold said the sluggish offense was owed to a Bakersfield bunch that lived up to its nickname, the Blitz.

That team played hard, but we gutted it out, he said.

The Q-C coach wasnt happy with his pass blocking, however.

Our protection didnt hold up, he said. Our pass blocking has got to get better. We had a lot of guys who played in the game who have got to step up.

But the SteamWheelers left the Golden State with a victory.

We are 2-2, and we will correct what went wrong, Ingold told Albracht. It is all correctable. We have a heck of a football team, and we will learn from this.

The SteamWheelers might have lost defensive specialist Lee Wiggins to a badly sprained ankle. Ingold said he has a cornerback in mind he may sign this week.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Orr stays determined, earns coachs trust
Craig DeVrieze April 30th

Shawn Orr is a portrait of persistence.

A year ago, the Quad-City SteamWheelers defensive specialist waited nine games, six on the non-paid taxi squad, for a chance to start.

A game later, his season was over, short-circuited by a ruptured Achilles

tendon.

He has battled back, and after sitting on the taxi squad

to start this season, again has reclaimed starting status.

In Saturdays 37-34 win in Bakersfield, Calif., Orr had three tackles and a game-saving interception.

The main thing I love about him is I trust him, SteamWheelers coach Rich Ingold said of the 5-foot-8, 175-pound Orr. He is a steady fighter.

Orr had to fight through the offseason to rebound from what could have been a career-killing injury.

When it first happened, I was down, Orr conceded. But right before I had surgery I saw a lady at Plaza Physical Therapy who had the same surgery, and she looked me in the eye and told me I was going to be OK.

As a keen student of sports, Orr had reason to believe.

Sam Cowart, Tai Street and Trace Armstrong, he said of NFL players who had similar injuries. I saw those guys come back and be productive. It was just a matter of putting in the work and putting it in Gods hands.

Orr did rehab work four times a week, two hours per session, but that wasnt what bothered him.

The hardest part was sitting down and waiting for it to heal, he said of the injury. The hardest part was sitting down on the couch and not being able to do 7-on-7 drills with Lee and some of my friends from home.

Lee would be Lee Wiggins, his former college teammate at the University of South Carolina and his current SteamWheelers mate.

It was a recommendation from Wiggins that won the undersized Orr a look from Ingold last year. Wiggins, who had played for Ingold with the AFLs New Jersey Gladiators in 2001, was not interested in af2 ball when Ingold called a year ago. But he told the coach about Orr.

Orr made the trek to the Q-C from his hometown of Estill, S.C., and hung around even when he didnt see a down of action through the 2002 campaigns first five games. But he continued to practice gamely and eventually won his chance to start.

I really love this game I really love football, Orr said of the source of his persistence. Back home, I could be doing anything. My friends, they are into lots of things. But playing ball is very positive. And being positive is what drives me.

On the field, Orr can drive opponents positively crazy.

Lets just say he talks a little.

Most definitely, Wiggins said of his chatty friend. Cant let them have the last word. Sometimes if you get in somebodys ear, they come back at you harder and that makes you better.

Orr said he is talking to himself as much as anything.

Looking at me, I am not going to intimidate anyone, he said. With my size, I have to match (an opponents) intensity. I have to get a little intense to push myself through.

So far, so good.

Despite seeing limited action in the seasons first two games, Orr is tied for fifth on the SteamWheelers tackle chart with five and shares the team lead with his lone interception.

Orr said individual numbers are not his thing.

I am all about team, he said.

Still, he believes in himself.

I feel like my work is just beginning, he said. I have got a lot I want to accomplish. I am just scratching the surface.

It may have been a long road for OS/WR/LB Ira Gooch to make it from his old stomping grounds of Davenport West High School to Ellsworth Community College to Central Michigan University and to return home to the Quad Cities to continue his passion of playing football for the Quad City Steamwheelers, but Gooch could not be happier.

This is ideal for me, Gooch said. If you want to play in the af2, it doesnt get any better than playing in the Quad Cities where the people love this game.

Gooch started out growing up as the second oldest of four to two of the best parents, Benita and Ira, Sr., in Davenport. The 24 year old Ira is preceded by his 27-year old brother Brian with a sister Erika, who just recently turned 21 and youngest of them all, 19-year old brother Andre.

Growing up in what Gooch calls the perfect environment, Gooch fell in love with football, and it would prove to be a perfect passion to have.

Youve got to love this game and you have to make sacrifices to get where you want to get, Gooch said. After playing three years second fiddle at Davenport West High School, Gooch shined in his senior season, enough to open the eyes to the coaches of Ellsworth of Community College. Gooch went onto Ellsworth, a school where there are only 500 students, to play for two years before getting to do what Gooch called the chance of a lifetime.

I had a lot of great coaches at West, they taught me the dos and donts of the game of football, Gooch said. I cant really describe Ellsworth, you would have to go there to understand it. It was a learning experience and I have some memories from there that I wouldnt trade for the world.

It was a dream for me to play Division I football and Central Michigan offered me a scholarship and I got the opportunity, Gooch said.

Gooch got the opportunity to play at the NCAA Division I level, something that he had dreamed for since he was young. As a senior, led the Chippewas with 992 all-purpose yards, including team bests in kick returns (15 returns for 331 yards and a 22.1 yard average) and punt returns (16 returns for 211 yards and a 13.2 yard average). He caught 24 passes for 392 yards and a team-leading 16.3-yard average and rushed for 438 yards and two TDs his junior year. He also threw two passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns and had an 82-yard kick return for a TD.

Then former Wheelers head coach Frank Haege gave Gooch the opportunity to tryout with the then New York Dragons. Things didnt work out for Gooch and Haege, but for Goochs luck current Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold was at the camp and gave Gooch his business card.

Coach Ingold saw me workout, gave me his card and told me to give him a call if things didnt work out, Gooch said.

It was December 2001 prior to the 2002 season when Gooch called up Ingold to see if there was still an opportunity to play with the Steamwheelers. Ingold gave Gooch the okay to play and it proved to be one of the best decisions that Ingold made in his first season at the helm of the Wheelers.

I called Coach Ingold sometime in December right before the season started and told him I wanted to go ahead and get on the ball with the game, Gooch said. After that, the rest is history.

Gooch than returned home to his old stomping grounds and made his Steamwheelers debut on April 6th versus the Bossier City Battle Wings. In his first game in a Steamwheelers uniform, Gooch caught five passes for 40 yards.

Gooch would then tear through the af2 breaking records like it was his job. He set the record for most games with 200 or more all-purpose yards with ten games at that mark or better and the season record with his 3,472 all-purpose yard performance in the 2002 season.

The opportunity then came again for Gooch in the AFL, this time it was the Indiana Firebirds calling. However, Gooch was competing against long time AFL vet Eddie Brown, who has many AFL records himself. So in Goochs eyes he was competing for a job that wasnt available.

It was an opportunity but not an opportunity, Gooch said. They had me down there and I really wasnt even being evaluated.

Unfortunately things didnt work out, Gooch said. It just wasnt my time.

Then came the 2003 season, what would Gooch do? Well it took about as long as it did for Gooch to decide to come back as it did for him to get started.

He contacted Ingold in and was invited to camp, the rest is all but history.

This time around things would be a little different. He would decide to try the two-way game playing the WR/LB position, something Gooch was not used to. In his first game at his new position, Gooch caught three balls for 29 yards, one kickoff return for 19 yards and had five unassisted tackles on the night.

It was a tough transition. When you are a little guy and you have to take on blocks its an adjustment, Gooch said. Its just a whole different world. It teaches you to fight and I try to make the most of it.

After Randall Land and Jeff Hewitt had rough starts at the OS position, Ingold decided that he would give his original OS a chance at his position again. In Week 6 against the Wheelers biggest rival, the Peoria Pirates, Gooch caught 11 balls for 181 yards and had four returns for 75 yards, giving him 256 all-purpose yards for the game.

It was in the next game on the road against Wichita, a team that he lit up a year ago in the same building, the Kansas Coliseum, Gooch came up three yards short of the af2 single game record for all-purpose yards in a game with 397 all-purpose yards. He caught 11 of QB Tony Zimmermans passes for 187 yards and returned eight kicks for 208 yards.

The Scared Rabbit as Ingold and Zimmerman like to call him, came from what he does after he catches the ball. It almost seems as if the guy is a Scared Rabbit once he gets his hands on the ball, he leaves defenders guessing and falling down trying to tackle him.

Now one has to think that if Gooch continues to put up these types of numbers, that one of the AFL teams will notice and give Gooch the opportunity to move up? Gooch seems to think that if the opportunity is presented to him, that he would be hard pressed to pass it up.

You want to move up to the next level as long as you are making progress.

Everybody cant make it to the NFL but everybody wants too, Gooch said.

My favorite quote is Aim for the moon because if you fail youll still be among the stars.

God has a plan for everyone and some things you cant control , Gooch said.

Now as for what will happen next season if Gooch does not make it to the next level, what will his plans be?

Im young, but you cant play this game forever. Theres a time when you have to hang it up, Gooch said. I just want to take the season one game at a time and worry about next season when this seasons over.

Life in the Deuce (as the af2 is known) is not easy on players, especially when they are making $200 per game. Gooch also works at GNC Nutritional Center as his other job while maintaining his job with the Steamwheelers.

Its working out great. I dont have any conflicts as far as football, Gooch said. Its a job but its definitely not my career."

So what else could be in store for Ira Gooch? The future will only tell, but for the time being, this cowboy is back in the saddle again and has high hopes of making it to the next level.

Quad-City Steamwheelers AF2 Football
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Brown to return to Wheelers
Craig DeVrieze

Veteran Quad-City Steamwheelers lineman and former Iowa Hawkeye Corey Brown has signed on for a fourth season.

The 6-foot-2, 29-pound Brown joins 6-3, 300-pound newcomer Ryan Bell on the Wheelers front line.

Training camp will begin with physicals one week from today.

Coach Rich Ingold said he is especially excited to bring back Browns experience and versatility.

"He is a very instinctive, very smart football player, Ingold said of the former Iowa Hawkeye starter. "He gives you experience and he is very crafty.

Brown (6-foot-2, 290) averaged more than 20 tackles in each of his first three seasons and his value was enhanced by his ability to play nose guard, linebacker and edge rusher on defense as well as all three line spots on offense.

"And he is an excellent special team player, Ingold said. "He is very flexible because he is athletic. He is a total player and he plays hard every down.

Bell is a 6-3, 300-pound line prospect from Lane College.

The Steamwheelers will begin workouts on March 19 in preparation for their April 4 season opener vs. Hawaii at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

Ingold said the Steamwheelers will spend the weekend of March 22-23 practicing in the University of Iowas practice bubble in Iowa City.

On March 28, the Steamwheelers will host a controlled scrimmage vs. a team of visiting Australians at The Mark.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

WHEELERS'' TRAINING CAMP ROSTER  March 18th
Craig DeVrieze

Name Height Weight Position School

Quarnail Arnold 5-6 160 OS William Penn

*LaVance Banks 6-1 250 WR-LB Southern Illinois

Jamara Bell 6-6 250 WR-DB Virginia-Wise

Ryan Bell 6-3 300 OL-DL Lane

*Cory Bern 6-3 315 OL-DL Western Illinois

*Corey Brown 6-1 290 OL-DL Iowa

Anthony Burrier 6-4 215 WR-LB Iowa

LaRico Cole 5-10 178 WR-DB Indianapolis

Tim Dodge 5-10 180 WR-DB Iowa

Matt Forbes 5-10 175 WR-DB William Penn

*Josh Fourdyce 6-2 260 FB-LB Knox

Asa Francis 6-3 225 FB-LB New Mexico MI

*Ira Gooch 6-0 185 OS Central Michigan

Ronnie Gordon 6-2 215 QB Vanderbilt

*Brian Hegnauer 5-10 190 PK Baldwin-Wallace

Randy Laing 6-1 205 WR-DB Wartburg

Randall Lane 6-0 200 WR-DB Purdue

Jason McCleary 5-11 205 DS Northern Iowa

Corey McGriff 6-0 245 FB-LB  SW Missouri State

*Chris Orr 5-8 175 DS Benedict College

O.J. Payne 5-9 290 FB-LB Iowa

Steven Perkin 5-10 200 WR-DB  St. Xavier

Clinton Richardson 5-10 195 WR-DB Texas A&M-Kingsville

*Michael Schaefer 6-6 314 OL-DL Toledo

Darrell Jack 6-0 250 FB-LB Wisconsin-Whitewater

*T.J. Schneckloth 6-5 265 OL-DL NW Missouri State

*Justin Thies 6-3 275 OL-DL Western Illinois

*Eric Thigpen 6-1 205 WR-DB Iowa

Lee Wiggins 6-0 198 DS South Carolina

*Damon Williams 6-4 305 OL-DL Evangel

Kyle Williams 6-4 330 OL-DL Texas A&M-Kingsville

* returning veteran

Tough Zimmerman is on a mission  March 21st
Craig DeVrieze

The characteristics Rich Ingold likes best in Tony Zimmerman possibly shortened the quarterbacks rookie season with the Quad-City Steamwheelers.

He is a big, strong-armed guy, Wheelers coach Ingold said of the fellow western Pennsylvanian. But the two qualities I admire most about Tony are his toughness and his competitiveness. He is a game player.

One game Zimmerman wishes he had not played last year was plentiful proof of his toughness and competitiveness.

Zimmerman took the field June 1, just two weeks after suffering a hairline fracture of his left fibula.

In a season in which the playoff-banned Steamwheelers were playing only for pride, plenty of that was on the line against hated I-74 rival Peoria. So the tough-as-nails Zimmerman took the field. He also took a pounding from a relentless Pirates pass rush and threw two interceptions on three passes and one good leg.

Zimmerman did not get to watch the last of those picks get taken back for a touchdown. He was lying on the carpet in agony after aggravating the not-yet-healed fracture in his leg.

That ended what had been shaping up as a promising season.

It also might have ensured his return to the Steamwheelers this season.

Now that I look back on it, no, Zimmerman said when asked if he would make that too-quick return again. With the chance to move up if I didnt get hurt, its hard to say I would.

Zimmerman could have stepped up to the Arena Football League level this season. He had two opportunities to make $400 per week as an AFL practice-squad quarterback, in Indiana and Detroit.

His competitive side, though, told him he would be better off rejoining his old college quarterback coach Ingold in the Quad-Cities, where he will play for $200 per week.

Zimmerman believes that if he plays well for the Steamwheelers this summer, he will have a shot at a much higher-paying starting job in the AFL next winter.

I think he is coming in with the mindset that he is on a mission to do something special this year, said Ingold, who coached Zimmerman to NCAA Division I-AA all-American honors as a senior at Duquesne University in 2000.

Zimmerman has reason to believe. He led the af2 with 36 touchdown passes before being sidelined last season. He completed 143 of 262 passes for 1,827 yards and just eight interceptions. Under his leadership, the Steamwheelers started the season with a 5-1 record.

All of which is pretty good considering Zimmerman started training camp last year as a total arena football novice and ended last springs training camp wondering if he ever would understand the ins and outs of the indoor game.

This year I am a little more comfortable and confident I can do the job, said Zimmerman, who launched his second Steamwheelers preseason Wednesday in Davenport. Last year I didnt know if I belonged in this game; I had such a rough camp.

Right now, Zimmermans goal is to get up to speed with the Steamwheelers in preparation for the April 4 opener against Hawaii at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

He is excited to note that the af2 handcuffs are off the Steamwheelers, and that they can compete for the teams third league title in four seasons.

The obvious goal anytime you play a sport is to win a championship, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound quarterback said.

The road to the championship goes through Peoria, the defending league champion.

The Pirates not only beat Zimmerman & Co., 67-43 on June 1 at The Mark. They handed the Wheelers their first loss of the year May 10 in Peoria, an 81-56 blowout in which three Zimmerman fumbles led to three fourth-quarter Pirates touchdowns.

Any wonder Zimmerman is looking forward to games against Peoria on May 2 at The Mark and July 26 in Peoria?

Theyre the champions, Zimmerman said. You always want to pick off the champions.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Wheelers waive Laing, 3 others   March 22nd
Craig DeVrieze

Former Tipton High School star Randy Laing, a wide receiver-linebacker, was the toughest of four cuts made Friday by Quad-City Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold.

I really wanted to keep Randy Laing around, said Ingold, who also waived offensive specialist Quarnail Arnold, fullback-linebacker James Tindall and wide receiver-defensive back C.J. Richardson.

With fullback-linebacker Derrick Davison on the physically unable to perform list, the cuts bring the Wheelers training camp roster to the af2-mandated 30.

The final wave of cuts will come March 31, bringing the roster to 21.

I am fearing the next cut right now, said Ingold, who said the depth of talent in training camp is impressive. People around me are telling me they are impressed with what weve got.

The Steamwheelers will resume training camp today in Iowa City

Wheelers foes know a little something about love of game  March 26th
Craig DeVrieze

The Quad-City Steamwheelers make $200 per week and think they are playing football for the love of the game.

Friday at The Mark of the Quad-Cities, the Wheelers will meet a dedicated crew of Australians and New Zealanders who just might love it a little more.

Members of Team Downunder this week paid their own four-figure airfare to trek to the United States and strap on the pads and helmets to take on the Steamwheelers in a controlled scrimmage that is being billed The United Friendship Bowl.

In my life, football is a passion, explained the teams offensive coordinator Mike Sea, an Australian from Sydney who expects to spend upwards of $4,000 on this trip. Down Under we pay to play football. We pay for the pads, the helmets, the balls. We pay for everything, right down to the socks.

Thanks to the largesse of numerous Quad-City businesses and eateries, the expense of this weeks trip has been mitigated some. Team Downunder is staying free of charge at the Clarion Hotel in downtown Davenport and will be provided meals at several area restaurants, including, appropriately enough, Outback Steakhouse in Davenport.

Even The Mark is donating use of its facility for Fridays game-like exhibition.

The overseas footballers are playing the role of tourist in the Quad-Cities during down time this week, but not in the morning. From 8 a.m. until noon today and tomorrow, Team Downunder will be engaged in practice at the BGB Sports Complex in Davenport.

They kept that same schedule Tuesday, despite arriving late Monday after a 20-hour plane trip and then a three-hour bus ride from OHare Airport in Chicago.

They flew in last night and looked like they were dead, and then they started practicing at 7:45 a.m., said awed Steamwheelers head coach Rich Ingold. They love the game. They want to play, and they want to learn.

Sea said his countrymen particularly are interested in the arena game because of its pace and because it requires players to play both defense and offense. In that sense, he said, it is a lot like rugby, a sport most of the teams members played in their youth.

At least one member of Team Downunder considers football an amped-up, harder-hitting version of rugby.

Just having the shoulder pads and helmet on is more of a buzz for us, said fullback-linebacker Louis Lavea-Williams. You can go that extra step.

Sea estimates that 3,000-to-4,000 Australians play American football, youth leagues included. That would make the game that countrys equal to rugby here in the States.

Virtually all of Team Downunders members play at the club level, and all officially are amateurs.

It is very much a grassroots thing, said Anthony Sinton, a 25-year-old wide receiver-linebacker who plays in an adult league and coaches an under-18 team.

The United Friendship Bowl is the second stage of a plan to increase the games profile in Australia.

Ingold was part of the opening stage in August, when he traveled to Australia with other Arena Football League personnel to conduct a training camp for more than 100 interested players.

Each of the 17 players on Team Downunder was selected from that camp.

The next steps, according to Jerry Kurz, AFL vice president of international development, might be to take the AFLs all-star game to Australia this summer and then, possibly, for the Steamwheelers to travel to Australia in the fall for a reciprocal scrimmage.

Definitely on tap are plans for a Pacific Rim tournament later this year in Sydney, pitting six teams from Australia plus one from New Zealand and another from Japan.

Beyond that, Sea said plans are in the works to form an amateur indoor league for 2004 or 2005.

In 2006, he said, we are looking to turn professional.

If that seems like slow growth, consider that Sea has been playing club football in Australia for 16 years. His knees are shot now, and that might preclude another season, but he said, They will have to drag me off the field with my fingernails dug in the turf.

He is here this week to get in on the ground floor of coaching a game played on a rug, and he looks forward to being one of the founding coaches in an eventual Australian pro league.

It would be great to get paid for doing what you love, Sea said.

For now, said Levea-Williams, it is great to pay to play.

Im here for the football, strictly football, he said. You would pay anything to do what you love the most.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

A crew of Australians and New Zealanders will be trying to prove they can play arena football tonight at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

A crew of could-be Quad-City Steamwheelers will be looking to do the same.

In what is being billed as the first indoor football game on American soil pitting a foreign team against a professional team from the United States, the Steamwheelers will host Team Downunder in a controlled scrimmage starting at 7:30 p.m.

The contest will feature two 15-minute halves and will be played under regular game conditions. No score will be kept, however, because af2 rules say scrimmages cannot be scored.

Cost of admission is $5 for adults, $2 for students.

A total of 17 Team Downunder players, three coaches and a handful of administrators have made the 20-hour plane trip to the States specifically for this opportunity.

They hope to take what they know about the arena game back home and launch a league of their own.

First, though, they hope at least to give the Steamwheelers some semblance of competition.

We are here for the learning, Team Downunder offensive coordinator Mike Sea said earlier this week. Having said that, we have got some great athletes here, many who would feel comfortable on an arenafootball2 team. They are here to play.

Still, the Steamwheelers are much more experienced at the indoor game in particular and the outdoor game in general, so Q-C coach Rich Ingold likely isnt worried about his still-forming team taking it on the chin.

His main goal is to answer a few remaining questions with only a week before the Wheelers open their 2003 campaign vs. Hawaii at The Mark.

Ingold plans to maker his final cuts after tonights game. He could release as few as five of his 30 players, if three players go on short term injured reserve.

The coach plans to keep two quarterbacks, a kicker two wide receiver-defensive backs, three fullback-linebackers, seven linemen, three defensive specialists and an offensive specialist.

Players on the roster bubble can make their case tonight.

 Each guy is getting evaluated every day, Ingold said. What I am looking for (tonight) is guys who look comfortable in the arena setting, guys who dont get screwed up by the walls, guys who can catch the ball off the net.

It is good for our guys, he added. It is a game-like atmosphere and I like that we are getting into the arena and that we are going to hit someone else. Our guys are beat up. We have been pounding each other.

A key issue that might be settled tonight is who will wear the tag of offensive specialist.

The candidates are former Purdue receiver Randall Lane, unsung University of Indianapolis product LaRico Cole and last years record-setting Steamwheelers OS, Davenporter Ira Gooch.

Although Gooch came to camp hoping to expand his AFL worthiness by becoming a two-way player, Ingold said he plans to do what is best for the team.

If Ira Gooch is our best OS, he is going to be OS, Ingold said. If he is my best receiver, I am taking away offensive reps by having him play defense.

Gooch still could double as a jack linebacker, but Ingold said he believes the speedy receiver has the offensive talent to make it to the AFL next year on offense alone.

He could be an OS at the next level, Ingold said.

 Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com

Loss no downer for Team Downunder March 29th
Craig DeVrieze

They came. They saw. They didnt come close to conquering.

Still, a crew of Australians and New Zealanders had a splendid time losing unofficially, mind you 60-7 to the Quad-City Steamwheelers in front of a crowd of about 3,000 Friday night at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

It was everything I expected, Team Downunder lineman Louis Lavea-Williams said of The United Friendship Bowl, a game that was billed as the first on U.S. soil between an American professional football team and a crew of foreigners.

The atmosphere of the crowd, the electricity of the place an awesome feeling,

Lavea-Williams said. Hopefully, Australia and New Zealand can get into this.

Thats the idea. Although the Steamwheelers dominated the game from start to finish, a contingent of 17 Australian players, three coaches and a support staff of seven learned a lot about the indoor game over the course of Fridays exhibition and the three days they spent practicing here.

Team Downunders members now will become ambassadors for arena football in the Pacific Rim.

Plans are to start amateur leagues within the next year with an eye on a pro league in 2006.

We obviously havent got the level of skills these guys have, Team Downunder wide receiver-defensive back-kicker Michael Harvey said after watching a still under-construction Steamwheelers team score nine times in a matter of 20 plays. But we obviously learned a lot and we enjoyed ourselves enormously.

This certainly gives us a basis to work from. It allows us to bring the game of arena football and the experience we have now back to Australia.

The Steamwheelers outgained the overmatched visitors 180 yards to 96. Incumbent Q-C quarterback Tony Zimmerman completed six of seven passes for 100 yards and five touchdowns, with former Purdue receiver Randall Lane on the receiving end of two of those and ex-Iowa speedster Tim Dodge on the back end of two others.

Backup quarterback Ronnie Gordon completed 6 of 10 throws for 71 yards and three second half scores in a game that was played with 10-minute quarters.

Also scoring for the Steamwheelers was Thad Boberg, an amateur who won a radio contest for the right to put on a Q-C uniform. He ran 10 yards unaccosted for six in the third frame.

Quarterback Joseph Toiolo scored Team Downunders lone touchdown on a 1-yard sneak, but that second-quarter score was set up by a pair of catches by a late addition to the visiting crew - Tipton Iowas own Randy Laing.

Waived last week by the Wheelers, Laing played and practiced with the Downunders throughout the week on the recommendation of Q-C coach Rich Ingold.

It was a lot of fun, he said of sharing his knowledge of the indoor game with the Aussies and Kiwis. They practice differently. They are all about fun.

Not entirely about fun. There was football, too.

Still, Team Downunder coach Mike Sea conceded of a trek to the Quad-Cities that wont end until Suday: This was good fun and good laughs. These guys said they have laughed more on this trip than any trip they ever have taken.

These guys have worked hard and they havent slept.

The Steamwheeler linemen likely slept well this morning after battling Team Downunders big fellows Friday night.

Our line knows those Australians will fight you, said Ingold. Those guys are tough.

Said second-year Steamwheelers big guy T.J. Schneckloth: They can hit. And I think they got better (Friday) from the first play to the last.

The United Way of the Quad-Cities received the proceeds of the game. Steamwheelers managing owner Jim Foster said the donation to the organization should exceed $9,000 once all receipts are in.

 

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

13 veterans survive Wheelers final cut  April 2nd
Craig DeVrieze

Local products LaVance Banks and James Houston and former AFL defensive specialist Lee Wiggins will start the Quad-City Steamwheelers season short-term injured reserve.

The moves were made Monday as coach Rich Ingold set his season-starting 21-man Steamwheelers roster.

Making the club were 13 players returning from last years 10-6 Steamwheelers team: Cory Bern, Corey Brown, Josh Fourdyce, Ira Gooch, Brian Hegnauer, Jeff Hewitt, Shawn Orr, Michael Schaefer, T.J. Schneckloth, Justin Thies, Eric Thigpen, Damon Williams and Tony Zimmerman.

Newcomers on the roster are: Anthony Burrier, LaRico Cole, Tim Dodge, Matt Forbes, Asa Francis, Ronnie Gordon, Randall Lane and O.J. Payne.

The team includes six players Forbes, Fourdyce, Gooch, Payne, Schneckloth and Thies who played prep football in the Quad-Cities area.

It also includes five former Iowa Hawkeyes Brown, Burrier, Dodge, Payne and Thigpen.

Only 19 of the 21 players will suit up for Fridays 7 p.m. season opener at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

Houston (ankle), Banks (hamstring) and Wiggins (hip flexor) can return from the injured list in two weeks.

 Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Wheelers-Islanders scoreboard
Craig DeVrieze    april 5th

Foster: Crowd not bad

An opening-night crowd of 6,141 was deemed not bad by Steamwheelers managing owner Jim Foster on Friday.

Its all right, its not bad, Foster declared at halftime. Its a start, and hopefully we will build on this.

Busy playing the role of his own general manager, Foster looked weary with the game only half over, and he said he was.

This is as tired as I have ever been, I think, he said.

Foster said his biggest front-office challenge is teaching a staff that features just one returning member of last years front office, ticket manager Brian Forth.

Theres a lot of coaching going on right now, Foster said. Its a lot of hands on for me right now.

New personnel include Shawn Brown, vice-president of sales and marketing; chief financial officer Doug Beck; media relations manager Ryan Holtmann; group sales manager Todd Terry; marketing coordinator Heather Gomez; promotion coordinator Jaci Stoltis; technical operations assistant Darren Brown; administrative coordinator Cheryl Weber; merchandise/special projects coordinator Susan Foster; interns Blair McCrory, Brian Casey and Erin Gaylord; and cheerleading coordinator Jill Bartlett-Hill.

Pleasant Valley Sunday

This weeks Arena Football League telecast on NBC (KWQC-TV6) will amount to a Pleasant Valley Sunday.

The 11 a.m. contest features former Pleasant Valley Spartan Gunnard Twyners Buffalo Destroyers at former PV Spartan Chris Anthonys New York Dragons.

Both clubs are 3-6, and the game is a battle to escape the National Conference Eastern Division basement.

Twyner leads the Destroyers in receiving with 49 catches for 745 yards and 15 touchdowns. He is sixth in the league in yards per catch (15.2) and ninth in both yards per game (93.1) and receiving touchdowns.

Anthony, last years Steamwheelers MVP, is third on the Dragons with 32 receptions for 410 yards and seven touchdowns.

Billy Dicken Friday

Two former Steamwheelers clashed in a rare Friday matinee in Detroit, with quarterback Billy Dickens Chicago Rush getting the best of defensive specialist Brent Browners Detroit Fury,

62-45.

Dicken threw for a season-best 213 yards, completing 15 of 24 passes for six touchdowns with two interceptions. Browner, in his third game in Detroit, had 1.5 tackles and was credited with a pass defense.

Wheeler items

n Former UT Panther Justin Thies, battling back from a year-ending knee injury, recovered two fumbles Friday.

n T.J. Schneckloth, an ex-Davenport West High Falcon, added a career-best 25-yard reception to a third-quarter safety he shared with Cory Bern.

n Former Steamwheelers quarterback Mike Gluski signed this week with the Columbus WarDogs. He played for Macon and Cape Fear last year.

Wheelers'' kicking contest starts today
Craig DeVrieze  April 16th

Weather permitting, a two-day kickoff for the Quad-City Steamwheelers kicking job will commence this afternoon.

Coach Rich Ingold on Tuesday was looking for an outdoor field where he could test the legs of embattled incumbent Brian Hegnauer and 37-year-old challenger Rich Ehmke.

The Mark of the Quad-Cities is not available because of the possibility of a Thursday night United Hockey League playoff game.

Ehmke, a former Eastern Illinois all-American who comes recommended by the Arena Football Leagues San Jose SaberCats, arrived in town Tuesday.

Ingold said he does not know the kickers professional background, only that he tried out recently for the SaberCats.

"This kid was seen by an AFL team, and they said he has a good leg, Ingold said.

Ingold said Carlos Martinez another kicker who failed to make the SaberCats but came highly recommended recently signed a two-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ingold stressed it is not a lock that Hegnauer, who has hit 1 of 5 field goals and 10 of 15 PAT tries, is out of a job. He said kicking in af2 is not an art form.

"I just watched game film and Mohegan missed every PAT but one, said the coach.

Hewitt honored

Jeff Hewitt was selected as the offensive player of the week in af2 after a 10-catch, 207-yard, six-touchdown night last week against Tennessee Valley.

He is the first Steamwheeler player to win a weekly award this year.

Last seasons Steamwheelers claimed four weekly honors. Tony Zimmerman was Offensive Player of the Week in Week Five, Chris Anthony was the Built Ford Tough Man of the Week in Week 18 and Brent Browner twice claimed top defensive honors, in Weeks 12 and 15.

Moves due today

Lee Wiggins already is assured of coming off injured reserve today, but Ingold also must make decisions regarding local products LaVance Banks and James Houston.

Wiggins, who has been sidelined by a hip flexor, will replace fellow defensive specialist Eric Thigpen, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.

Ingold will decide on the readiness of Banks, a wide receiver-linebacker from Bettendorf, and Houston, a fullback-linebacker from Davenport, sometime today. One could wind up replacing veteran fullback-linebacker Josh Fourdyce, who has an injured hamstring.

Around af2

Major Harris, the former Heisman Trophy runner-up and Canadian Football League and Arena Football League star, was waived by the Charleston Swamp Foxes late last week. . The league has admitted officials erred when they blew dead an apparent interception Peoria took back for a touchdown in a 42-39 season-opening loss to Tulsa. The admission did not change the result, which is reminiscent of last years controversial Steamwheeler loss at Bossier City. Former Wheeler Mike Gluski suffered a knee injury in Columbus 47-32 win over Rochester on Friday. He left the game on crutches.

Wheelers change kickers
Craig DeVrieze April 17th

Opting for accuracy over leg strength, Quad-City Steam-wheelers coach Rich Ingold signed 37-year-old Rich Ehmke and placed incumbent place-kicker Brian Hegnauer on recallable waivers.

Im going with my gut, Ingold said Wednesday after signing Ehmke on the basis of one tryout at Brady Street Stadium in Davenport.

Ehmke, a Division I-AA All-America kicker at Eastern Illinois in 1986 and 1987, was one of three Steamwheelers added to the roster.

Former Davenport West star James Houston also will make his Wheelers debut when Wilkes Barre-Scranton comes calling at 7:30 p.m. Friday at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

Houston, who spent the first two weeks of the season on short-term injured reserve with a bad hamstring, will play fullback-linebacker in place of Josh Fourdyce, who will sit on the taxi squad with a hamstring issue of his own.

Also slated for the two-man taxi squad (part of the 21-man roster) is wide receiver-linebacker LaVance Banks, a former Bettendorf High standout who is coming off of short-term IR due to an ankle injury.

Bound for stints on the short-term injury list are lineman O.J. Payne (back), another West High product, and wide receiver-linebacker Tony Burrier (ankle), a teammate of Paynes at Iowa last year.

Ingold does not yet know if Ehmke has a leg strong enough to drill kickoffs into the net on an arenafootball field. The coach said it was difficult to get a read on the kickers strength in windy outdoor conditions Wednesday afternoon.

Still, Ingold liked what he saw in terms of Ehmkes ability to put the ball through the 9-foot-wide opening that equals af2 field goals and extra points.

He wont get a look at Ehmke indoors until Friday because The Mark is booked tonight for Mallards hockey.

He is accurate, very accurate, the coach said. He assures me he is going to get it to the net, and I just feel comfortable with his accuracy.

A Californian, Ehmke signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent out of college but did not get a chance to kick in exhibition action before being waived two games into the 1988 preseason.

He played semi-pro football for the Southern California Storm of the American Football Association in 1993 and 1994, hitting 28 of 28 PAT tries and 14 of 17 field goals, with a long of 53.

At EIU, he hit 62 of 65 PAT attempts and 30 of 47 field goals, with a long of 58.

New Wheeler kicker gets itch
Craig DeVrieze April 18th

Ask Rich Ehmke what a 37-year-old man is doing scratching a professional football itch in the low-pay, low-profile af2.

He certainly isnt doing it for the money, Ehmke will tell you about his new $200- per-week gig as the Quad-City Steamwheelers place-kicker.

The Californian will make his af2 debut tonight at 7 at The Mark of the Quad-Cities, where the Steamwheelers and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

Pioneers will clash.

Both teams are 0-2, and the highly frustrated Quad-City team has lost a pair of games by a total of four points, each in the closing seconds.

This is a must game, Wheelers coach Rich Ingold said. There is no doubt about it.

Doubt is not something Ehmke entertains.

He paid his own way to the Quad-Cities this week to engage in a kicking contest with former Wheeler kicker Brian Hegnauer, and when Ingold told him the best leg would win, Ehmke responded: Coach, I plan on being your kicker Friday night.

At $200 a week, with a $50 bonus for wins, Ehmke, at best, figures to break even from this job by seasons end. That is because he will commute between the Quad-Cities and Ladara Ranch, Calif., where he runs a pair of his own businesses, a car rental management company and an equipment financing firm, out of his home.

I will make sure I am here the day before games and then return to California the day after, he said.

He will use frequent flier miles accrued through those businesses to cover his to-and-fro air travel. His weekly af2 stipend will cover his hotel costs.

Its going to be a wash financially, he said.

If that.

He also plans to bring his son and two daughters to the Quad-Cities once or twice. He also hopes to take them on the Steamwheelers late June trip to Hawaii.

Yes. Ehmke is confident he will be keeping the job.

Ingold likes that confidence.

You have to have that as a kicker, said the coach.

Ehmkes confidence is surprising because the only professional kicking he has done for the better part of 15 years was a two-year stint in a semi-pro league in 1993 and 1994. Since then, he has settled for getting his kicks in a highly competitive summer flag football league.

He said he got the yen for a bigger challenge last fall while watching NFL kickers miss easy kicks. He tried out for the Arena Football Leagues Los Angeles Avengers in January but couldnt unseat veteran Remy Hamilton there. He got a look from the San Jose SaberCats a couple of weeks ago but, again, couldnt knock out the incumbent, Daron Alcorn.

Earlier, he had sent letters of inquiry to several af2 teams, the Steamwheelers included.

This week, he said, Coach Ingold called and here I am.

Ehmke was an all-American kicker for Eastern Illinois in 1986 and 1987, went to training camp with the Chicago Bears in 1988 and also got NFL looks that year from Green Bay, Atlanta and the Raiders.

After that, he said, I got involved in the corporate world. My career took off and at that point football became a non-entity.

Now hes got the itch again.

My motive behind this is I miss the game, he said. I certainly feel I have the ability to kick for an AFL team and, if things work out, in the NFL.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Focused Wheelers hit road with high hopes
Craig DeVrieze April 25th

Home teams won 72 percent of all games played in arenafootball2 through the seasons first month.

Still, the Quad-City SteamWheelers hit the road for tonights 9 oclock start in Bakersfield, Calif., with high hopes.

I like our team on the road, SteamWheelers coach Rich Ingold said. We are focused. There are fewer distractions. You dont have to worry about tickets. You dont have to worry about guys driving in from Iowa City. We are self-contained.

I like everybody being right there in the team hotel. We talk football. There is bonding. You are in the foxhole together.

For now, the SteamWheelers (1-2) also remain in the

hole they dug with an 0-2 start, which included a 62-59 loss in their only road game this year, two weeks ago at Tennessee Valley.

The SteamWheelers will be looking to get back to .500 against a Bakersfield Blitz bunch that also started 0-2 and, like the Wheelers, claimed their first win last week at home.

The defending National Conference West Division champion Blitz can claim one thing the SteamWheelers cannot Bakersfield topped Hawaii 58-43 last week. Thats the same Hawaii team that nipped the SteamWheelers 53-52 in their season opener at The Mark of the Quad-Cities on April 4.

They are a good football team, Ingold said of a Bakersfield team that returns several key players from last years 9-7 crew, among them quarterback Chad Elliott, wide receiver/defensive back Ryan Sloth and offensive specialist Garrick Bivens. The latter two are former Iowa State Cyclones and Iowa Barnstormers.

Elliott did not play, because of the impending birth of a child, when the teams met last year at The Mark of the Quad-Cities. Still the SteamWheelers needed four Brent Browner interceptions to slip away with a 27-19 win.

The 27 points remain an all-time SteamWheelers low.

Offense should not be a Wheelers problem tonight. Through three games, Ingold wields the most potent offense in all of af2. His team is averaging 59 points and 309 yards per game.

Ingolds concern is a defense that is surrendering 49.7 points and 282.7 yards. He is hoping for continued progress there after last weeks 66-34 win over Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

I have got to have this game, the coach declared.

The SteamWheelers left the Quad-Cities at 7 a.m. Friday, flew to Los Angeles and then bused the remaining 140 miles to Bakersfield.

Last years Wheelers went 4-4 on the road, but that includes a controversial loss at Bossier City and season-salvaging back-to-back wins at Memphis and Tennessee Valley midseason.

Quarterback Tony Zimmerman agrees with Ingolds assessment that the road is a good place to come together.

It is easier to focus and bond on the road, he said. You are together 24/7, thinking nothing but football.

Said veteran fullback/linebacker Josh Fourdyce, who returns to action this week after a week off with a bad hamstring: The locker rooms on the road are where you develop your chemistry. Thats where you really get to know each other.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.

Goochs turn at offensive specialist
Craig DeVrieze APRIL 29th

Ira Gooch will be the third Quad-City SteamWheelers player to play offensive specialist this season when the Wheelers (2-2) host the Peoria Pirates (1-3) on Friday night at The Mark of the Quad-Cities.

Its his turn, SteamWheelers coach Rich Ingold said of Gooch, who starred at the OS spot a year ago but had played wide receiver/linebacker through the first four games this season.

Gooch replaces Jeff Hewitt, who replaced Randall Lane at OS one game into the season.

Hewitt, who will move to receiver/ linebacker, was the leading receiver in af2 before suffering on off game in last weeks 37-34 Wheelers win in Bakersfield, Calif. Hewitt had three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown for a SteamWheelers club that threw for a season-low 196 yards.

We would have tagged that team by 40 if we hadnt dropped balls, Ingold said.

Gooch had three catches for 36 yards as his teams third pass-receiving option behind Hewitt and Tim Dodge, but Ingold saw moves that reminded him of Goochs outstanding season at OS last year.

He is  making little catches and turning them into big plays, Ingold said of the former Davenport West High star. It wouldnt be fair to my team if I didnt give Ira Gooch a chance now.

Gooch is the teams fourth-leading receiver this season with eight catches for 114 yards. He leads the team with an average of 22.3 yards per kickoff return.

As an arena ball rookie last year, Gooch led the league in all-purpose yards with an average of 217 per game and finished second in the league in scoring with 226 points. He was seventh in receptions (100) and receiving yards (1,533).

He came into training camp this year looking for a two-way role to enhance his marketability with Arena Football League teams. He ranks fifth on the SteamWheelers with seven tackles.

In other news, the SteamWheelers also are looking at former Iowa Hawkeye Marqueas McLaurin and University of Sioux Falls defensive back Leo FenceRoy as possible replacements for injured defensive specialist Lee Wiggins.

McLaurin did not play his senior season with the Hawkeyes last fall, but he saw limited action in 2000 and 2001, finishing his Iowa career with 21 tackles, 14 solo. He had four interceptions and seven pass breakups in one season at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas.

FenceRoy had 15 interceptions over two seasons at Sioux Falls.

Ingold said he also is considering claiming a player recently waived by another af2 team.

Wiggins, who turned an ankle Saturday, will be placed on short-term injured reserve.

Steamwheelers sign player cut by Peoria
Craig DeVrieze APRIL30th

The Quad-City SteamWheelers might have ratcheted up the intensity of Fridays battle with Peoria at The Mark of the Quad-Cities. Tuesday they signed a player who was cut by the Pirates earlier in the week.

Defensive specialist Sidney Lewis, who reportedly was cut after challenging Peoria coach Bruce Cowdrey in a team meeting on Sunday night, was claimed off waivers by the SteamWheelers.

Lewis was one of two defensive specialists signed to bolster an ailing SteamWheelers defensive backfield.

Also signed was Leo FenceRoy, a rookie speedster from NAIA Sioux Falls University.

One will replace Lee Wiggins in the lineup. Wiggins is expected to be placed on short-term injured reserve after suffering a hamstring injury Saturday in Bakersfield, Calif.

Lewis won an NCAA Division II national championship at Grand Valley State University last fall, topping SteamWheelers coach Rich Ingolds alma mater, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, along the way.

Ingold said he considered signing the 5-foot-10, 185-pound Lewis during the offseason on the recommendation of his college coaches. After talking with the player, he told Lewis to finish school this spring and then to contact the SteamWheelers.

Instead, Cowdrey signed Lewis to start the season.

He got me on that one, Ingold said.

Cowdrey might argue the point.

Lewis played in four games for the 1-3 Pirates and was involved in altercations in two of them. He would have been ejected after a brawl in a 53-9 April 19 win over Columbus in Peoria, but the officials called the wrong number in announcing the ejection.

At the end of Fridays 54-50 loss in Louisville, Lewis was involved in an altercation with Louisville quarterback Josh Rogers. The resulting scrum required police to separate the combatants.

 I have seen what happened on film, Ingold said of an incident that got Lewis fined by the league Tuesday. Thats just something that happens in football.

He said he is comfortable having Lewis on board with the Wheelers.

I got to know the kid through the recruiting process, and I like him, Ingold said. I am into giving guys a second chance.

The SteamWheelers roster now numbers 25, so Ingold will have to release at least one player in the next day or two.

'Wheelers drive by Peoria  May3rd

Photo: Dan Videtich Quad City Steamwheeler Ira Gooch, right, tries to break the tackle of Peoria Pirate Gary Bolden during the first quarter of action at The Mark in Moline Friday night. More photos from this shoot

Tony Zimmerman waited almost a full year for this moment. Ira Gooch, too.

Last year's top pitching-catching duo for the Quad City Steamwheelers was finally reunited Friday against Peoria -- 11 months after Zimmerman's season ended with a leg injury against the arch-rival Pirates at The Mark.

Gooch made the most of his return to the offensive specialist role that made him an af2 record-setter last season, hauling in 11 passes for 181 yards and four of Zimmerman's seven scoring strikes in a closer-than-it-looked, 55-52 victory over the defending league champs.

Peoria falls to 1-4 -- a full two games back of the Midwest Division-leading 'Wheelers (3-2). A crowd of just 5,331 took in the contest between the only two champions the af2 has known in its three previous seasons. QC was suspended from last season's playoffs because of league rules violations during its 37-1 twin-title run in 2000-01.

``This feels a lot better than the last time I faced them,'' said Zimmerman, whose club dropped both meetings with Peoria last year by an average of 24.5 points.

``I didn't play real well against them down there last year, then I got hurt against them the second time around. So, this was sweet.''

Zimmerman hit 22 of 30 passes for 317 yards and spread his TD passes among four receivers, including one to deposed offensive specialist Jeff Hewitt.

Game MVP honors, though, went to Gooch, who abandoned the top target role before this season to try and increase his Arena Football League stock as a two-way player. Hewitt and NFL-tested Randall Lane had manned the offensive specialist role in his stead.

``I liked playing defense, and I'll go back there if it's what the team needs,'' said Gooch, who capped a heroic night by recovering an onside kick with 27 seconds left after the ball bounced off the hands of teammate and fellow Davenporter Matt Forbes.

``But, (the OS position), that's my comfort zone -- that's home for me. It was nice to be the focal point again -- but I'd have been OK if I didn't catch any balls and we won. That's the key. We won.''

Gooch's breakout game -- he'd totalled just 11 catches, 150 yards and 2 TDs in this season's first four games -- was set up by QC's opportunistic defense.

The 'Wheelers stopped Peoria thrice -- once on a field goal blocked by Davenporter T.J. Schneckloth, and twice on fourth down tries.

Peoria's first gamble came with 56 seconds left in the first half. On a 4th-and-1, the Pirates had a rushing first down called back on a delay of game penalty. On the retry -- on 4th-and-6 -- Forbes broke up a pass to Charles Sheffield from QB Charlie Peterson.

Presented the ball just 17 yards from a score, QC obliged four plays later on a Zimmerman sneak as time expired. Zimmerman eluded Sheffield -- the Ironman of the Game -- with a spin move at the goalline for a 27-19 lead at intermission.

QC's other defensive stop came at midfield late in the third quarter. Peoria had a 3rd-and-1 but failed to convert on two rushing attempts, with Defensive Player of the Game Asa Francis teaming up with Hewitt to corral Peoria fullback Bryan Eakin on 4th-and-1.

The 'Wheelers scored four players later -- Zimmerman hitting Gooch from 9 yards out -- to take a commanding 42-27 lead.

``Asa sniffed it out, and I just cleaned up,'' said Hewitt.

``We had to have it,'' added Francis. ``I stuck him and Jeff closed the door.''

Peoria didn't quit -- scoring three more times -- but came up short again. The Pirates have lost 3 games by 10 points.

``I don't regret the fourth down calls at all,'' Peoria coach Bruce Cowdrey said. ``On the first one, they get the ball back either way, and we made the right call, except Charlie fell down.

``On the second one, if you can't get a yard on two tries, you don't deserve to win. We put our guys in position to win again, but again we didn't. These were the kinds of games we won last year, but, for some reason, we're missing that charisma we need to pull games like this out.''

Meanwhile, Cowdrey's counterpart put his team in position to win by putting Gooch back at his natural position.

``I made that decision on the plane last week (after a win) at Bakersfield,'' said QC coach Rich Ingold, whose club won its third straight.

``Ira is not the biggest or fastest guy on our team, but he's the most elusive guy in the league. He can take a 5-yard hitch and make you look stupid. He just gets the ball and goes -- poof.''

Hewitt didn't mind the switch.

``We won, didn't we?'' said Hewitt, whose club plays Peoria again July 26 in the regular-season finale at the Peoria Civic Center.

``I loved (replacing Gooch by) playing the jack linebacker-wideout role. I got to hit people rather than just be hit. It was fun. And, it seems like we're in the right roles now and ready to roll.''

Gooch certainly liked the switch, too.

``But, I'm not the only guy that can play OS for us,'' said Gooch. ``We've got five or six guys that can catch the ball in that role. It was just my time this time.''

Steve Tappa can be reached by phone (309-757-4967) or by email (tappa@qconline.com).

May 11, 2003 12:03 AM

Goal line stand saves QC

Davenport's Ira Gooch got his mother Anita a combination birthday present and Mother's Day gift to remember Saturday night at the Kansas Coliseum.

As for Josh Fourdyce, all the former Westmer High School star did was deliver his Quad City Steamwheelers a thrilling arenafootball2 victory.

Fourdyce stopped Wichita fullback Brian Goolsby on a goal-line dive as time expired, preserving a 62-56 'Wheelers win over the West Division-leading Stealth.

Gooch -- who set an af2 record with 288 return yards against Wichita last season at The Mark -- finished three yards shy of the league record for multi-purpose yards.

Gooch wracked up 397 yards and 5 TDs -- posting 208 yards and a TD on eight kick returns and 189 yards and 4 scores on 11 receptions. The multi-purpose yards total is the second-most in league history to the 400 posted by San Diego's Marty Graham last season.

Gooch's heroics and four goal-line stands by QC added up to a fourth straight win for the now Midwest Division-leading 'Wheelers (4-2). Cincinnati fell 69-35 to Albany to break a tie atop the Midwest standings.

``This is the most enjoyable win I've ever had with the Quad City Steamwheelers,'' said 'Wheelers coach Rich Ingold on the WOC-AM 1420 postgame show. ``We overcame a lot to get this win.''

The loss snaps an impressive three-game winning streak for Wichita (4-2), which knocked off West Division rival Hawaii and Central-Division leading Tulsa before taking the 'Wheelers down to the wire.

QC dropped close calls to Hawaii and South Division-leading Tennessee Valley by a combined four points to the start the season.

``It was gutcheck time and we were not going to be denied this time,'' Fourdyce said. ``I had a pretty bad game pass blocking on offense, so I'm glad I had a chance to make it up at the end of the game.''

Besides Fourdyce, Tim Dodge made the biggest defensive play of the game for the 'Wheelers, picking off a tipped pass in the end zone to set up QC's final scoring drive -- capped by an 11 yard pass to Dodge from Tony Zimmerman.

That score snapped a 56-all tie and represented the last of seven lead changes -- six of them in the second half.

However, QC kicker Rich Ehmke missed his third extra-point try to put QC in a precarious position. Wichita had 1-minute, 38-seconds left to score a touchdown and hit a game-winning PAT.

``I just want to say Rich Ehmke is a good kid, but I just released him and I'm going with the Peoria kid (Paul Savich, whom QC picked up on waivers at midweek),'' Ingold said, announcing his second kicking change of the young season.

``(Ehmke) stuck a (40-yard) field goal to help us win, but I don't ask my kickers to hit field goals. I want them to hit extra-points and get the ball off the net, and that performance almost cost us again.''

Amazingly, though, the Stealth never scored despite driving to the 'Wheelers goalline.

Wichita finished with 111 yards rushing and 4 TDs on 15 attempts, but failed to punch the ball into the endzone on two plays from the 1-yard-line with five seconds remaining.

``Before the final play, I just looked into our guys' eyes and there was no question in my mind they were not getting in,'' Ingold said. ``I asked them what they wanted to do, and they wanted to pinch the ends and have the linebackers flow to the play. And, that's what happened. Josh actually called the play.''

The 'Wheelers overcame an early 14-0 deficit with the help of two first-half turnovers.

Davenport's T.J. Schneckloth recovered a fumble on the goalline -- preventing Wichita from punching in a touchdown. QC scored two plays later, on a 47-yard pass from Zimmerman to Gooch.

Later, Matt Forbes picked off a pass at his own 3 -- setting up a first-half ending score for QC. Dodge capped that drive with a 1-yard run with 2 seconds remaining before intermission.

Zimmerman hit 24-of-35 passes for 327 yards, 7 TDs and just his second interception of the season.

Besides Gooch, Dodge (5 catches, 61 yards, 2 TDs) and Jeff Hewitt (5 catches, 76 yards, 1 TD) also caught scoring strikes from Zimmerman.

Wichita QB Anthony Buich finished just 14-for-29 for 187 yards, 3 TDs and 2 interceptions.

A former NFL practice squader with Kansas City, Wichita's Michael Dritlein caught 7 passes for 104 yards and all 3 of Buich's scoring passes. Dritlein also had 6 kickoff returns for 164 yards and 1 TD.

Zimmerman called Saturday's game a true litmus test for QC. Wichita was the first team with a winning record the 'Wheelers had beaten this season.

Without Zimmerman, the 'Wheelers lost by 19 at Wichita last season -- a week after Zimmerman led QC to a 32-point win over the Stealth. QC improves to 4-1 lifetime against Wichita.

Both teams play next Friday. The 'Wheelers host expansion Green Bay; Wichita visits Hawaii.