THURSDAY, JULY 24, 2008 - i Wireless Center (9,315) 8:00 P.M. ET
The final week of the regular season kicks off with a pivotal Midwest Division tilt as the Lexington Horsemen travel to Moline, Ill. to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers. This is a huge game for both teams, but more so for Quad City. A Steamwheelers win would ensure the team the final available playoff spot in the American Conference. Lexington has already secured a postseason berth. A Horsemen win, however, would keep them mathematically alive to potentially win the Midwest Division and improve their seeding if Green Bay slips up on Saturday night at Mahoning Valley. These two clubs have only met once before and it was a close match, but the Horsemen were able to hold off Quad City, 69-55, in Lexington in Week 9. Lexington got a big enough lead in the first half to secure the win, even though Quad City outscored them in both quarters of the second half. Steamwheelers QB J.J. RATERINK completed 31-of-52 passes for 381 yards and eight TDs while Horsemen QB EDDIE EVISTON threw for 228 yards with a team-record nine TDs. Lexington enters its regular season finale ranked No. 9 in the final league coaches poll. Last week the Horsemen suffered a 54-44 loss at home against Iowa. Lexington's offense was led by Eviston who went 20-of-35 for 202 yards with four touchdowns, and WR JOHN COOPER, who filled in for CHAD SPENCER. Cooper had eight catches for 89 yards and one score. The Horsemen offense also received help from TAVON MCGEE (7-69; 1 TD) and HARRY LEWIS (2 TDs). Trailing at the half, Lexington tied the game twice in the second half but a field goal and last minute TD by the Barnstormers halted the Horsemen comeback. The Steamwheelers also experienced a loss in Week 17. Quad City's defeat came on the road at No. 1-ranked Spokane, 78-50. The Shock took control of the game early on, taking a 56-27 lead at the half and cruised through the final 30 minutes of play. Quad City was led in the loss by Raterink and WR JESSE SCHMIDT. Raterink threw seven TDs without an interception while Schmidt caught seven passes for 108 yards and three TDs. Rookie WR JARRETT BROOKS, playing in his second game, tackle for loss. Schmidt leads the club overall in receiving with 124 catches for 1,740 yards and 38 touchdowns. He also ranks third in the league in scoring with 244 points. Raterink leads the af2 in TD passes (87) and ranks second in passing yards (4,098). With so much at stake, expect the Steamwheelers and their fans to come out fired up. Quad City's hopes, as always, hinge heavily on Raterink's play. The Steamwheelers defensive unit needs to step up as well. Over the last two weeks, they've surrendered 76 points at Iowa and 78 at Spokane. Pressure up front by TYUS JACKSON (12 TFLs, 9 sacks - both team-highs) and ROY RAVENELL (6.5 sacks) will be critical in slowing down the Horsemen.
HORSEMEN STEAMWHEELERS
SERIES LEADER Lexington leads 1-0
LAST MEETING Lexington won 69-55 on 5/25/2008
LAST FIVE GAMES 3-2 2-3
LAST GAME Lost 44-54 vs. Iowa on 7/19/08 Lost 51-78 at Spokane on 7/19/08
LEADERS HORSEMEN STEAMWHEELERS
PASSING Eviston: 255-438-18; 3120; 68 TDs Raterink: 333-536-19; 4098; 87 TDs
RECEIVING McGee: 62-872; 17 TDs Schmidt: 15-124; 38 TDs
RUSHING Eviston: 42-78; 5 TDs Monk: 32-49; 6 TDs
TACKLES Mulder: 53.5 Adams: 67.5
SACKS Martin: 7.5 Jackson: 9
INTERCEPTIONS Mulder and Haskins: 3 Adams and Davis: 3
KICKING Daniel: 71-87 PAT; 4-22 FGs; 83 PTs Pearson: 63-83 PAT; 0-5 FGs; 63 PTs
TEAM OFFENSE 46.5 PPG; 242.9 YPG 49.8 PPG; 280.3 YPG
TEAM DEFENSE 45.3 PPG; 253.9 YPG 54.1 PPG; 270.1 YPG
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