The Manchester Wolves (9-7) rode a balanced attack that included a 48-point second half explosion to defeat the Quad City Steamwheelers (7-9), 79-48, in front of a season-high 8,001 fans Friday night on Brady Sullivan Field at Verizon Wireless Arena. The exciting win clinched a playoff berth for the Wolves for the second consecutive season under head coach Ben Bennett.

 

 The 79 points scored by the Wolves tied a franchise record for highest offensive output, equaling the mark set by Manchester earlier this season at home against Florida. QB Steve Bellisari led the attack as he improved to 4-0 as a starter, completing 19-of-21 passes for 245 yards and a career-high seven touchdowns. Bellisari also added one rushing touchdown. Schutt Offensive Player of the Game WR/LB Wendell Williams, came up huge for the Wolves once again, catching eight passes for 132 yards and three touchdowns along with one score on the ground. OS Ari Confesor, who started in place of injured star OS Steve Gonzalez, caught three passes for 63 yards and a pair of scores.

 

ADT Defensive Player of the Game DS William "Roc" Haith led a defensive corps that held Quad City to seven third-quarter points and harassed star Steamwheelers QB Tim Hicks all night long. Hicks completed only 19-of-42 passes for 207 yards and three scores. WR/LB Jack Walker Jr. led Steamwheeler receivers with his nine catches for 108 yards and one touchdown.

 

Wolves OL/DL Jimmy Williams earned the Cutters Catch of the Game award for his second quarter touchdown catch and rumble, while FB/LB Mark Kimener took home U.S. Army Ironman honors with his 31 rushing yards and a touchdown on offense and strong play on defense. WR/DB Tony Stallings impressed in his limited Wolves debut, breaking a number of tackles en-route 56-yard return for touchdown in the fourth quarter.

 

The Wolves will now play the waiting game to learn their playoff destination, pending the results of the Albany vs. Wilkes-Barre/Scranton contest Saturday night. The outcome of that game will determine whom the Wolves will play in the first round of the 2006 ArenaCup playoffs.

 

Score by Quarters                1             2            3            4            Score

Quad City Steamwheelers    13            14           7          14            48 (7-9)                               

Manchester Wolves             14            17         27          21            79 (9-7)                   

 

LEADERS:

PASSING: HICKS, Tim (QCS) 42-19-207-3; BELLISARI, Steve (MAN) 21-19-245-7

RECEIVING: WALKER Jr., Jack (QCS) 9-108-1; WILLIAMS, Wendell (MAN) 8-132-3

 

Schutt Offensive Player of the Game: Wendell Williams (MAN)

U.S. Army Ironman:  Mark Kimener (MAN)

ADT Defensive Player of the Game: William Haith (MAN)

Cutters Catch of the Game: Jimmy Williams (MAN), second quarter