Game Notes

Louisville Ky.-Louisville Fire Head Coach Tommy Johnson met with members of the media Wednesday afternoon to preview Louisville’s contest with Quad City this week. The Fire and the Steamwheelers will face off on Friday April 11 in Freedom Hall at 7:30. To access the game on the Internet, visit www.louisvillefirefootball.com and click on the Nifty T.V. link.

The Fire are coming off a 50-43 victory over the South Georgia Wildcats. Rookie quarterback Matt Bassuener led the running game with four touchdown and totaling 56 yards. Keller Speaks posted six points off of his 11-yard interception run in the first minuets of the third quarter, while Lonnell Dewalt caught two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. He scored on a 14-yard reception advancing the score to 36-30. With 39 seconds remaining, Dewalt caught a 30-yard pass finalizing the Fire win.

“We could have scored at least 3 more times when we got in the red zone,” according to Fire wide receiver Ricardo Lenhart. “So we need to work on our red zone offense for Friday.”

This Friday will be the 14th meeting between Louisville and Quad City. The Steamwheelers lead the series 8-5, while the Fire claimed the most recent victory when they defeated Quad City 54-42 last season.

“Quad City is a good team,” stated Fire Head Coach Tommy Johnson. “They have an excellent line. They are the best line that we have seen all year. Both of their defensive ends are quick. They also have a veteran quarterback that is experienced and has the ability to scramble out of the pocket if needed.”

Similar to Louisville, the Steamwheelers have seen early season success, winning their first 2008 contest against Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Posting 48 points, Quad City was led by quarterback J.J. Raterink who completed seven touchdowns passes. Raterink connected with lead receiver, Jesse Schmidt. Schmidt tallied 101 yards and scored 3 touchdowns.

Both teams are ranked in the top 16 of the af2 coaches’ poll, with Louisville sitting in third place and Quad City in the six spot. The Fire also leads the American Conference with a 2-0 record, while Quad City is tied in second place at 1-0.

GAME FACTS – Louisville Fire (2-0) vs. Quad City Steamwheelers (1-0)
Date: Friday, April 11
Time: 7:35
Site: Brown-Forman Field in Freedom Hall
Online Broadcast: Game will be streamed online at www.louisvillefirefootball.com
Radio: The Ticket (93.9 FM) with Zack McCrite (play-by-play) and Michael Vanover (analyst)
Series History: Quad City leads 8-5 all-time (3-2 in Louisville, 5-3 in Des Moines)
Last Meeting: Louisville 54, Quad City 42 (July 14, 2007 - Freedom Hall, Louisville, Ky.)