The Alabama Steeldogs Squeak by Quad City Steamwheelers, 53-51

Saturday May 12, 2007

May 12, 2007, (Birmingham, Ala.) – The Quad City Steamwheelers (3-3) battled back from a 26-12 halftime deficit to pull within two of Alabama (4-2) in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough as the Steeldogs held on for a 53-51 victory in front of 6,981 in Birmingham.

The Steamwheelers outscored the Steeldogs 27-13 in the fourth quarter with Jack Walker Jr., notching all three of his touchdown catches in the final frame. Walker Jr., and quarterback J.J. Raterink teamed up for a 36 yard strike just 15 seconds into the quarter to pull Quad City to within eight, 40-32.

After the Steamwheelers defense held Alabama on a fourth and two play Kris Peters met up with Raterink for his second TD catch of the night pulling Quad City to within two, 40-38, after the two-point conversion attempt to tie the game was picked off.

Steeldogs’ quarterback Mitch Tanney responded immediately on a one-play drive finding wide receiver Bradley Chavez for a 36-yard touchdown pass to put Alabama up by nine with just under nine minutes remaining.

Walker Jr., would get Quad City to within three points with a five yard score with 5:52 remaining in the game, but Steeldogs’ wide receiver Jon Olinger answered with his third touchdown catch of the night with 2:23 left, giving Alabama a 53-44 lead.

Quad City failed to score on its next drive as Raterink’s pass on fourth and goal from the two-yard line fell incomplete. The Steamwheelers defense forced the only turnover on the night when Andy Endemann recovered a Deon Deboise fumble with 16 seconds remaining in the game. The Steamwheelers still had life after Walker Jr., caught a two-yard pass with three seconds remaining to make it a 53-51 contest. The ensuing on-side kick did not go the required 10 yards and the Steeldogs held on for the win.

Alabama opened the game with an 11 play, 42 yard, 8 minute and 23 second drive that was capped on a one-yard run by Deon Deboise to give the Steeldogs a 7-0 lead. The Steamwheelers wasted little time answering with a 14-yard pass from Raterink to wide receiver Tom Anthony. The PAT was missed by Wade Tlydaska, who was signed hours before the game with kicker Kimo Naehu unable to make the trip.

Alabama scored on the next three possessions as Rajohn Myles would force a Steamwheelers safety between two touchdown catches by Jon Olinger to give the Steeldogs a 23-6 lead. Quad City scored on its third possession of the first half with just over three minutes remaining when Kris Peters, who finished the game with five receptions on 62 yards, notched his first of two touchdown catches to make it a 23-12 game. A 20-yard field goal with no time remaining by Alabama’s Nick Hayes gave the Steeldogs a 14-point halftime margin.

A quick three play touchdown drive that culminated with a 25-yard pass to Anthony to open the third quarter got the Steamwheelers back into the game, 26-19. Ronald Dillon responded for the Steeldogs on a four-yard pass from quarterback Mitch Tanney to give Alabama a 33-19 lead midway through the third quarter. Both teams traded rushing touchdowns with Jeff Macrea notching a one-yard touchdown with 4:20 left in the third and Deboise scoring his second rushing touchdown on the night with no time remaining in the quarter to put Alabama back on top by 15 at 40-25.

Offensively, Raterink finished with 288 yards and seven touchdowns on 23 completions, while Anthony led the receivers with 10 catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Walker Jr., had 8 catches for 96 yards and three touchdowns and Peters rounded out the receiving corps with five catches for 62 yards and two touchdowns. On defense, Sidney Lewis tallied a game-high eight tackles, while Antwan Allen finished with six.

For the Steeldogs, Tanney finished with 270 yards and five touchdowns on 25 completions, while his favorite target was Olinger, who had 11 catches for 102 yards and three touchdowns. Alabama was led on defense by Adrian Ghent, who tallied a team-high 5.5 tackles.

Team                      1st            2nd           3rd            4th            Final       Record
Steamwheelers    6              6              13           26           51           3-3
Steeldogs              7              19           14           13           53           4-2

Schutt Offensive Player of Game: Jon Olinger (ALA)
ADT Defensive Player of Game: Willie Smith (ALA)
US Army Ironman of Game: Ronald Dillon (ALA)