Post by 50yardfan on Jun 26, 2011 12:45:13 GMT -5
The Blizzard were back in action Saturday night as they played host to the Reading Express in the Conference Semi-Finals of the Indoor Football League playoffs.
During the regular season, Green Bay beat Reading twice by a combined score of 134-59, but this contest was much closer. The Blizzard defeated the Express 68-51 to advance to the United Conference Championship game.
Green Bay opened the game with a field goal on the first series of the game when place-kicker Joshua Shene connected from 36 yards out.
After an Express touchdown, Green Bay quarterback Jameel Sewell answered when he found wide receiver Agim Shabaj racing past the Reading defense for a 42-yard touchdown to put the Blizzard ahead 10-6.
Minutes later, Reading received a 26-yard field goal from its place-kicker Erik Rockhold to cut the deficit to 10-9 and to close out the first quarter.
The second quarter was full of scoring as Green Bay tallied four touchdowns, while Reading added three. Sewell threw touchdown passes to Andrew Verboncouer (27 yards), Agim Shabaj (30 yards) and Bryan Pray (5 yards). Verboncouer also added a 1-yard touchdown run. Reading received two touchdowns from quarterback Chris Malleo, who passed for one and ran for another. Defensive back Armar Watson returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown to end the scoring and close out the first half.
The score read 38-30 in favor of Green Bay at halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams scored 14 points. Green Bay received both of its touchdowns from Sewell, who continued his impressive play after the half. Sewell threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Willie Quinnie for the first and scored on a 5-yard run for the second.
Malleo scored the first Express touchdown of the second half on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 7:15 remaining in the third quarter. He found wide receiver Elliot White for the second with 0:41 remaining on a 35-yard pass.
Green Bay controlled the fourth quarter and sealed the victory by outscoring Reading 16-7. The Blizzard defense made several key stops in the final period, but none was bigger than a safety made by defensive lineman Jeremiah Price. The two points made it a two score lead for the Blizzard at 60-51 with 1:39 left in the game. Sewell would add a late touchdown run to seal the victory.
On the night, Sewell completed 14-of-28 passes for 200 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed nine times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
Shabaj caught five passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Greg Jackson and Jeremiah Price led the Blizzard. Jackson collected 10 tackles and made 1.5 tackles for loss. Price made 3.5 tackles-for-loss, including 2.5 sacks and forced one fumble.
#2 Green Bay will travel to #1 Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the Conference Championship game on Saturday, July 9th. The Storm defeated Omaha 52-39.
During the regular season, Green Bay beat Reading twice by a combined score of 134-59, but this contest was much closer. The Blizzard defeated the Express 68-51 to advance to the United Conference Championship game.
Green Bay opened the game with a field goal on the first series of the game when place-kicker Joshua Shene connected from 36 yards out.
After an Express touchdown, Green Bay quarterback Jameel Sewell answered when he found wide receiver Agim Shabaj racing past the Reading defense for a 42-yard touchdown to put the Blizzard ahead 10-6.
Minutes later, Reading received a 26-yard field goal from its place-kicker Erik Rockhold to cut the deficit to 10-9 and to close out the first quarter.
The second quarter was full of scoring as Green Bay tallied four touchdowns, while Reading added three. Sewell threw touchdown passes to Andrew Verboncouer (27 yards), Agim Shabaj (30 yards) and Bryan Pray (5 yards). Verboncouer also added a 1-yard touchdown run. Reading received two touchdowns from quarterback Chris Malleo, who passed for one and ran for another. Defensive back Armar Watson returned an interception 48 yards for a touchdown to end the scoring and close out the first half.
The score read 38-30 in favor of Green Bay at halftime.
In the third quarter, both teams scored 14 points. Green Bay received both of its touchdowns from Sewell, who continued his impressive play after the half. Sewell threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Willie Quinnie for the first and scored on a 5-yard run for the second.
Malleo scored the first Express touchdown of the second half on a 1-yard quarterback keeper with 7:15 remaining in the third quarter. He found wide receiver Elliot White for the second with 0:41 remaining on a 35-yard pass.
Green Bay controlled the fourth quarter and sealed the victory by outscoring Reading 16-7. The Blizzard defense made several key stops in the final period, but none was bigger than a safety made by defensive lineman Jeremiah Price. The two points made it a two score lead for the Blizzard at 60-51 with 1:39 left in the game. Sewell would add a late touchdown run to seal the victory.
On the night, Sewell completed 14-of-28 passes for 200 yards and five touchdowns. He also rushed nine times for 57 yards and two touchdowns.
Shabaj caught five passes for 101 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Greg Jackson and Jeremiah Price led the Blizzard. Jackson collected 10 tackles and made 1.5 tackles for loss. Price made 3.5 tackles-for-loss, including 2.5 sacks and forced one fumble.
#2 Green Bay will travel to #1 Sioux Falls, South Dakota in the Conference Championship game on Saturday, July 9th. The Storm defeated Omaha 52-39.