Steamwheelers Meet Division Rival Pirates
Gary Stibolt
Thursday May 6, 2004
That being said, some ex-Pirates are finding the confines of the Quad City Steamwheelers to be very appeasing. The Steamwheelers will enter the game this Friday night with five former Pirates activated for play. The mere thought of a Steamwheelers vs. Pirates game anywhere is a formula for tough-nosed and mean-spirited football. However, when you add into the mix five former players, you have a chemical imbalance and the only prescription is a Quad City win.
“I’m so glad to be out of that situation,” stated an enthusiastic Matt Pike. Pike didn’t speak on the record to what exactly ‘that situation’ was he referred to but it did surround head coach Bruce Cowdrey. Other ex-Pirates include Charles Sheffield (WR/DB), Jon Verdigan (OL/DL), Bear Brown (OL/DL), and Ronnie Gordon (QB).
While the Pirates roster may have some new looks on it from a year ago, these five ‘Wheelers have their own memories of playing for Peoria. For them, getting a win this weekend in their new Steamwheelers uniform is a must but it is the taste of victory over Cowdrey that will be savored until the next time they meet up at the Mark in Moline, Illinois on Friday, July 2nd.
Last year when the Steamwheelers swept the Pirates, it included a 65-42 thumping at Carver Arena. That game was ugly and it was probably picture-perfect for what this rivalry is all about. There was unprofessional sportsmanlike in the game and even Peoria Head Coach, Bruce Cowdrey was flagged and his comments about the officials were heard all the way to the league office. This game has the potential to be that ugly. Out of the last six times these two teams have met, the Steamwheelers have won four of them.
In 2002, the Steamwheelers swept the Pirates but Cowdrey did not lead them at that time. It was the first time where both teams could put up or shut up about the bragging rights about who was better. The Steamwheelers went undefeated in 2000 to win the af2 championship and the Pirates went undefeated to win the now defunct IFL championship. Since Cowdrey’s return to Peoria two years ago, the games have been very physical to say the least. Some were even down right brutal.
There is no reason to expect things to be any different when they kick off Friday night at Carver Arena.
On The Line:
Coming into this game, the Steamwheelers are looking to build upon some success they had a week ago against Green Bay. The addition of Jamal Cherry, Jerry Montgomery, and James Rennick finally give the Steamwheelers some experience and elevated skill at the line position. Rennick packs solid pass protection and Cherry and Montgomery are seasoned pass rushers. It is on the line where the concern remains for coach Ingold. “I’ve got three guys on the short term IR,” stated Ingold. He was referring to three linemen, Pete Traynor, Jason Weite, and Brandon Graves. “I need to get some linemen in here.” One of those linemen was suppose to be Mike Schaefer but no official word out of the Steamwheelers on if that is happening or who the seventh lineman will be for this weekends game at Peoria. On offense, the Steamwheelers are looking for continued improvement in pass protection. If they get the protection then all they have to worry about is execution.
Note Worthy:LaRico Cole (WR/LB) will not be playing this weekend due to being suspended for violating a team rule…Fred Barr (FB/LB) will not be active for this game due to injury…Jesse Beckom (FB/LB) rejoins the active roster after being released last week.
Gary Stibolt has covered the Quad City Steamwheelers since their 2000 inaugural season. He also owns, operates and is the Chief Editor/Publisher of SteamwheelerFans.com, a website dedicated to the Steamwheelers and their fans. He coresponds for other media outlets covering arenafootball2. In addition to leading the Steamwheelers Fan Club, Gary serves as Coordinator of the National af2 Fan Club. He is married with two sons and works as an Infrastructure Analyst for Deere & Company in their Corporate Computer Center in Moline, Illinois.