Post by 50yardfan on Jun 20, 2011 13:18:44 GMT -5
Blizzard Will Host Reading in Conference Semi-Final Playoff Game
Who: #3 Reading Express (9-6) vs. #2 Green Bay Blizzard (11-3)
When: Saturday, June 25 7:30 p.m.
Where: Resch Center -- Green Bay, WI
Blizzard Update: Green Bay did not play this past weekend thanks to a first round bye. The Blizzard ended the regular season on June 10 with a 65-48 win against Chicago. Quarterback Brennan Sim made his first start in place of an injured Willie Copeland. Sim got off to a great start with three first half touchdowns. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to wide receivers Willie Quinnie (8 yards) and Agim Shabaj (31 yards). He also rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. The Blizzard defense also helped pace the first-half scoring output by contributing two touchdowns for the third consecutive week in a row. Defensive lineman James McClinton recovered a fumble by Slaughter quarterback Juice Williams in the end zone for the first touchdown. Linebacker Greg Jackson returned an interception 33 yards for the second. Sim added two more second half touchdowns and finished the night 13 of 23 passing for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 23 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.
It was a record breaking night for the Blizzard. It was the 11th win of the season, tying a Blizzard team record set in 2008. Kicker Josh Shene's three field goals on the night gave him a total of 31 for the year, breaking the Blizzard single-season record of 29 made by Tino Amancio in 2010. Defensive back Arkeith Brown intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to give him 12 for the year, which tied him with Rusty Midlam for a Blizzard single-season record. Midlam accomplished the feat back in 2008.
Express Update: The Atlantic Division Champions and number 3 seed Reading Express travel to Green Bay for the third time this season. The Express crushed the Chicago Slaughter 76-33 in a Quarterfinal playoff game this past Saturday in Reading. The Express had not beaten a team with a winning record all season prior to Saturday's victory. Reading gave up an early touchdown after a 52-yard opening kickoff return by the Slaughter. The Express answered right back when quarterback Chris Malleo found Elliott White for a 28-yard scoring strike. Malleo got the start after battling with Bill Winters the last few weeks for the starting job. On the next two drives, Malleo was able to find wide receiver Collin Taylor for two touchdowns to put Reading up 20-10 and the Express would never look back. Malleo completed 17 of 28 passes for a season-high 279 yards and six touchdowns. Taylor led the offense in receptions with eight catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Express defense held the Slaughter to just 59 yards of offense on the night, had nine sacks and only allowed six points in the second half. Linebacker Michael Thompson led the charge with nine tackles, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.
Series: Green Bay leads the series 2-0. The two teams faced each other twice during the regular season at the Resch Center. The Blizzard topped the Express 62-19 on April 15 and 72-40 on May 21.
Regular Season Final Statistics:
Offensive points per game; Green Bay 54.6 (3rd in IFL), Reading 37.5 (16th in IFL).
Defensive points per game; Green Bay 36.2 (6th in IFL), Reading 36.9 (7th in IFL).
Sacks: Green Bay 38 (2nd in IFL), Reading 29 (7th in IFL).
Interceptions: Green Bay 34 (1st in IFL), Reading 23 (9th in IFL).
Playoffs: #1 Sioux Falls will host the #4 Omaha Beef in the other United Conference Quarterfinal game. In the Intense Conference, #1 Colorado will host either #5 West Texas or #4 Tri-Cities and #2 Fairbanks will host #3 Allen.
Promotion: Fan Appreciation Extravaganza. The first 2,500 fans will receive a free gift from the Blizzard. The Blizzard will also be giving away 10 - $50 gas gift cards compliments of Express Convenience Centers.
Post-Game: Stadium View is the official home of the Blizzard Post-Game Party. Enjoy some of your favorite beverages and meet the players and coaches. Stadium View, the official post-game party.
Who: #3 Reading Express (9-6) vs. #2 Green Bay Blizzard (11-3)
When: Saturday, June 25 7:30 p.m.
Where: Resch Center -- Green Bay, WI
Blizzard Update: Green Bay did not play this past weekend thanks to a first round bye. The Blizzard ended the regular season on June 10 with a 65-48 win against Chicago. Quarterback Brennan Sim made his first start in place of an injured Willie Copeland. Sim got off to a great start with three first half touchdowns. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to wide receivers Willie Quinnie (8 yards) and Agim Shabaj (31 yards). He also rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. The Blizzard defense also helped pace the first-half scoring output by contributing two touchdowns for the third consecutive week in a row. Defensive lineman James McClinton recovered a fumble by Slaughter quarterback Juice Williams in the end zone for the first touchdown. Linebacker Greg Jackson returned an interception 33 yards for the second. Sim added two more second half touchdowns and finished the night 13 of 23 passing for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 23 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.
It was a record breaking night for the Blizzard. It was the 11th win of the season, tying a Blizzard team record set in 2008. Kicker Josh Shene's three field goals on the night gave him a total of 31 for the year, breaking the Blizzard single-season record of 29 made by Tino Amancio in 2010. Defensive back Arkeith Brown intercepted a pass late in the fourth quarter to give him 12 for the year, which tied him with Rusty Midlam for a Blizzard single-season record. Midlam accomplished the feat back in 2008.
Express Update: The Atlantic Division Champions and number 3 seed Reading Express travel to Green Bay for the third time this season. The Express crushed the Chicago Slaughter 76-33 in a Quarterfinal playoff game this past Saturday in Reading. The Express had not beaten a team with a winning record all season prior to Saturday's victory. Reading gave up an early touchdown after a 52-yard opening kickoff return by the Slaughter. The Express answered right back when quarterback Chris Malleo found Elliott White for a 28-yard scoring strike. Malleo got the start after battling with Bill Winters the last few weeks for the starting job. On the next two drives, Malleo was able to find wide receiver Collin Taylor for two touchdowns to put Reading up 20-10 and the Express would never look back. Malleo completed 17 of 28 passes for a season-high 279 yards and six touchdowns. Taylor led the offense in receptions with eight catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Express defense held the Slaughter to just 59 yards of offense on the night, had nine sacks and only allowed six points in the second half. Linebacker Michael Thompson led the charge with nine tackles, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.
Series: Green Bay leads the series 2-0. The two teams faced each other twice during the regular season at the Resch Center. The Blizzard topped the Express 62-19 on April 15 and 72-40 on May 21.
Regular Season Final Statistics:
Offensive points per game; Green Bay 54.6 (3rd in IFL), Reading 37.5 (16th in IFL).
Defensive points per game; Green Bay 36.2 (6th in IFL), Reading 36.9 (7th in IFL).
Sacks: Green Bay 38 (2nd in IFL), Reading 29 (7th in IFL).
Interceptions: Green Bay 34 (1st in IFL), Reading 23 (9th in IFL).
Playoffs: #1 Sioux Falls will host the #4 Omaha Beef in the other United Conference Quarterfinal game. In the Intense Conference, #1 Colorado will host either #5 West Texas or #4 Tri-Cities and #2 Fairbanks will host #3 Allen.
Promotion: Fan Appreciation Extravaganza. The first 2,500 fans will receive a free gift from the Blizzard. The Blizzard will also be giving away 10 - $50 gas gift cards compliments of Express Convenience Centers.
Post-Game: Stadium View is the official home of the Blizzard Post-Game Party. Enjoy some of your favorite beverages and meet the players and coaches. Stadium View, the official post-game party.