Shocking development

The Quad City Steamwheelers came to Spokane looking to make a statement – and that’s exactly what they did.

After four penalty-filled quarters the Wheelers (2-0) laid the Spokane Shock’s seven-game winning streak to rest, knocking off the defending ArenaCup champions 60-45 in front of 10,560 fans Saturday night in arenafootball2 action at the Arena.

“This was a hostile environment we came into and we wanted to make that statement coming into their house and beating them,” Quad City receiver Kris Peters said. “It should have been a bigger win for us, but they got the last-second touchdown. Overall, it was a good game. We got the stops when we needed to and came out with a victory.”

Peters paved the way for the Wheelers, who opened their season with an 81-21 victory last week over Cincinnati. He finished with nine catches for 137 yards and three touchdowns, including a score on the Wheelers’ opening drive.

“We were setting up guys all night,” Peters said. “We took what we got, and when the game is close, it’s no secret, I want the ball in my hands. So when we were close I got the ball. This was a really hyped-up game all week – two versus three (in rankings) – and we got the job done.”

Shock quarterback Andrico Hines had a rough night. The starter threw four interceptions, one more than the three TD passes he threw, and completed 21 of 29 passes before getting pulled in the fourth quarter. Two of his throws were picked off in the end zone.

“Being the quarterback, I feel like it’s my fault,” Hines said. “I turned the ball over a lot and didn’t put us in position to win, and I can’t take the credit away from them. We lost to a good team.

“I can’t turn the ball over four times and expect to win.”

Hines’ performance led to Shock head coach Adam Shackleford pointing out the obvious.

“I didn’t think we gave up but we made a lot of mistakes,” Shackleford said. “There were throws there to be made, guys open, and it’s pretty obvious that the quarterback situation is up for grabs again. I threw (backup QB Matt Gutierrez) in the game in a pretty bad scenario – he took three snaps all week in practice – and he came in and threw a couple of balls with confidence.

“Andrico is a good quarterback and he is going to make mistakes. We’re not going to give up on him, but we are going to open the race back up.”

The Wheelers took a 21-20 lead into the locker room at halftime after Spokane kicker John Koker missed an extra-point attempt that would have tied the score.

The Shock (1-1) tied the score at 27 in the third quarter when Ben Brown scored on a 2-yard run.

Quad City scored the next three touchdowns and increased its lead to 47-27.

Wheelers linebacker Jermaine Petty added insult to injury when he ran the ball in for a 9-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, allowing the Wheelers to match their largest lead at 54-33.

Receiver Raul Vijil scored four TDs for the Shock – three coming in the second half.

The Shock had a couple of players go down with injuries during the game. Veteran defender Rob Keefe suffered a contusion above his knee. Shackleford said the injury isn’t serious and Keefe will likely play next Sunday when the Shock have their first road game of the season at Fort Wayne, Ind.

Defensive lineman Marquess Ledbetter was also injured in the game with a strained oblique and receiver Chico Mackey and lineman Kelvin Morris are still listed on the injured list from last week’s 51-35 victory over Stockton. All are questionable for next week.

“We’re a banged-up football team in week three,” Shackleford said. “That’s something you don’t like to deal with as a coach.”

Steamwheelers 60, Shock 45

QC—Peters 13 pass from Raterink (Neahu kick)

Spo—Vijil 23 pass from Hines (Koker kick)

QC—Kaululaau 6 pass from Raterink (Neahu kick)

Spo—Savage 35 pass from Hines (Koker kick)

QC—Petty 1 run (Neahu kick)

Spo—Savage 17 pass from Hines (kick failed)

QC—Macrea 1 run (kick failed)

Spo—Brown 2 run (Koker kick)

QC—Peters 37 pass from Raterink (kick failed)

QC—Peters 24 pass from Raterink (Peters pass from Raterink)

QC—Schmidt 26 pass from Raterink (kick failed)

Spo—Vijil 6 pass from Gutierrez (pass failed)

QC—Petty 9 run (Neahu kick)

Spo—Vijil 21 pass from Gutierrez (kick blocked)

QC—Walker 16 kickoff return (kick failed)

Spo—Vijil 19 pass from Gutierrez (pass failed)

Individual Statistics

Rushing—Quad City, Petty 5-26, Macrea 2-4. Spokane, Brown 4-7, Vijil 2-5.

Passing—Quad City, Raterink 21-34-1-260, Team 0-0-0-(minus 8). Spokane, Hines 21-29-4-240, Gutierrez 9-15-0-133, Team 0-0-0-(minus 7).

Receiving—Quad City, Peters 9-132, Anthony 5-39, Schmidt 3-68, Walker 2-7, Macrea 1-8, Kaululaau 1-6. Spokane, Vijil 13-152, Savage 11-169, Rector 5-48, Brown 1-4.