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Rich Ingold entered his second year as
Head Coach and with it a lift of the sanctions and the ability to compete
for another championship. The 2003 season realized a lot of the potential that the
2002 season had. A lot of the same players returned and additional talent
was added to complete the roster.
The Steamwheelers started the season with a
home opening loss to Hawaii and followed it up with another loss on the
road. The 0-2 start looked bismal to the fans and the team but it
was only a temporary set back in a long season. The Steamwheelers
started winning and by week 15, the Steamwheelers had week two
rematch with the undefeated Tennessee Valley Vipers. Quad City
squashed the Vipers 63-34 at The MARK. The Vipers lost their last
game of the season and the Steamwheelers won it leaving both teams with a
season record of 14-2 and a first round bye in the playoffs.
During the season, Tony Zimmerman had blown
our af2 passing and scoring records and earn the leagues MVP award.
Ira Gooch, Tim Dodge, and Jeff Hewitt all had over 1,000 yards
receptions. Ira Gooch left the team for a spot with the New Orleans
Saints. Jeff Hewitt and Tim Dodge decided to not leave the team
despite a bid from the Carolina Panthers. In their case the Panthers
were willing to allow them to finish the season where the Saints would do
the same for Gooch. The NFL call-ups were a distraction to the team
and in their playoff game against Arkansas, the Steamwheelers lost their
bid for the ArenaCup when the Twisters made a 41-yard field goal as time
expired. The Vipers also lost in the playoffs and Tulsa eventually
beat Macon for the championship
title.
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Rich Ingold- Head
