Iowa Barnstormers Defeat Quad City Steamwheelers, 53-38
Saturday April 19, 2008
April 19, 2008, (Moline, Ill.) – The Iowa Barnstormers took the Pilot Wheel & Prop trophy for the first time in its team history with a 53-38 victory over the Quad City Steamwheelers in front of 5,238 at the i wireless Center. A pair of former ‘Wheelers helped key the Iowa victory. A 55-yard kickoff return by former ‘Wheeler Tim Dodge to put the Barnstormers up 37-31 with just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, followed by a Jack Walker Jr., interception to set up a 29-yard field goal with five seconds remaining in the quarter sealed the ‘Wheelers fate.
Joe Brannen, the newly named starter for the Barnstormers finished the game with four touchdowns and 190 yards on 15 completions. His favorite target was Dodge, the Schutt Offensive Player of the Game, and Robert Kilow. Dodge finished with a touchdown and 65 yards on five catches, while Kilow tallied 75 yards and a touchdown on four catches. Defensively, Walker Jr., the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game, and Taner Varner had two picks each. Daniel McLemore had a game-high 6.5 tackles in addition to his interception.
Raterink, threw for 267 yards and four touchdowns on 17 completions. Jesse Schmidt caught three of the touchdowns and had 156 yards on eight catches. Defensively, Tyus Jackson tallied four tackles for a loss and three sacks.
The Steamwheelers travel to Green Bay on Friday, April 25 as they continue to seek the 100th victory in franchise history.
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final
Iowa Barnstormers 14 9 17 13 53 (1-2-0)
Quad City Steamwheelers 6 13 12 7 38 (2-1-0)
Schutt Offensive Player of the Game – Tim Dodge (IBS)
ADT Defensive Player of the Game – Taner Varner (IBS)
U.S. Army Ironman of the Game – Jack Walker Jr. (IBS)
Cutters Catch of the Game – Raterink to Peters second quarter
