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The
Steamwheelers introduced Rick Frazier as their head coach. Frazier
brought a unique style to defense and restored character to the
team. Ronnie Gordon was suppose to start the season at quarterback
but signed with the New York Dragons
and after failed
attempts to bring Gordon in from the Dragons practice squad, the team
was left with only Matt Pike at the position. Sam Clemons
joined the team from the Dallas Desperados practice squad and after three days of practice
the season opened on the road in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA where Matt Pike went down
with an injury early in the game and Clemons was thrusted into the
starting role. He stayed there too.
2005 marked a season that will be remembered
for their dink and dunk offense instead of stretching the field.
Clemons could throw it but Fickert managed it differently. The team
struggled on defense too especially at the Safety position where Matt
Forbes played. They did start coming into their own but the game in
Louisville to close the regular season would have given the Steamwheelers
a home field playoff game. They failed miserably after having a
chance to win it.
The following week, the Steamwheelers went on
the road to play in the divisional playoff game against Rio Grande and
again, the defense was a melt down. Not until Frazier pulled Forbes
in the fourth quarter did the team start toughening up. The damage
was done and the move was too little too late and they dropped their third
consecutive playoff game. |
Rick Frazier - Head
