Wilkes-Barre, PA - 4/24/04 - The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Pioneers downed the previously undefeated Quad City Steamwheelers 40-27 Saturday night in front of nearly 5,000 screaming fans at the Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza. With the victory, the Pioneers remain in first place in the af2s Northeast Division and improve to 3-0 on the season. Quad City falls to 3-1.

The Steamwheelers 27-point total was their lowest offensive output since posting a 27-19 win over the Bakersfield Blitz on July 6, 2002.

Defensively, we were on the ball tonight, said Pioneers head coach Les Moss after the game. If our defense keeps playing that way, well be in good shape down the stretch.

Defensive specialist Kyle Grove had one of his best games as a Pioneer, recording 2.5 tackles (one solo, three assisted), an interception, and six pass breakups. Grove was rewarded for his performance by being named ADT defensive player of the game and MVP for the night.

Pioneers QB Tim Hicks also had another solid outing, finishing with 16 of 27 passes completed for 178 yards and three touchdowns.

Wilkes-Barre/Scranton got off to a fast start in the contest, scoring on Kevin Nagles 10-yard run just two minutes into the game for an early 7-0 lead.

Quad City didnt find the end zone until a minute into the following quarter, when quarterback Ronnie Gordon connected with Tim Dodge on a 48-yard bomb to knot the score at 7-7.

The teams would trade scoring strikes three more times before the half, giving the Pioneers a 20-14 lead at the intermission.

The third quarter was all Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, as Hicks and J.R. Thomas hooked up for a 47-yard TD pass of their own and kicker David Davis nailed two field goals to give the home team a somewhat comfortable 33-14 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Steamwheelers made things interesting in the fourth quarter, scoring early on a nine-yard pass from Gordon to Dodge and preventing the Pioneers from adding to their lead. But Wilkes-Barre iced the game when Ameer Riley picked off a Gordon pass in the end zone and ran it back 53 yards for a score.

The visitors did manage to score on the ensuing possession, but with just ten seconds left on the clock, ran out of time.

Next week, the Pioneers will face another unbeaten team, the Louisville Fire, at Wachovia Arena. Quad City will look to regroup at home against Green Bay.

MVP: Kyle Grove Offensive Player: Tim Hicks Defensive Player: Kyle Grove Ironman: Rocco Forgione Attendance: 4923