Post by 50yardfan on Feb 26, 2012 23:47:58 GMT -5
The way the 2012 season started for Green Bay in Sioux Falls was almost a carbon copy of how the 2011 campaign came to an end. Unfortunately for the Blizzard this meant another tough loss on the road against the defending IFL champion Sioux Falls Storm. The Storm were a model of efficiency and took advantage of a key Green Bay turnover on their way to a 73-43 victory Sunday afternoon.
The Blizzard (0-1) were hoping to avenge the 52-12 defeat they suffered in the United Conference Championship Game last July and things got off to a good start when the defense held the Storm to just three points on the opening drive after James Jones returned the kickoff inside the Green Bay 10 yard line. On the ensuing possession, Blizzard kicker Adrian Trevino answered with a 38 yard field goal of his own to tie the score at three. Blizzard quarterback Donovan Porterie completed a 28 yard touchdown strike to Bryan Pray sandwiched between two touchdown scampers by Storm quarterback, and 2011 MVP, Chris Dixon to finish the first quarter in a 17-10 hole.
The second quarter got off on the wrong foot when Trevino missed a 30 yard field goal attempt on fourth down from near midfield. Sioux Falls answered immediately with a James Jones touchdown run, followed by a pair of Dixon scoring strikes to wide receivers Carl Sims and Clinton Solomon respectively to lead 31-10. The Blizzard missed a big opportunity to grab some momentum late in the second quarter when they suffered two dropped passes in the end zone, a failed halfback pass, and a botched fake field goal attempt all in a matter of four plays inside the Sioux Falls 10. The offense regrouped on the next possession when Porterie hit wide receiver Desmond Tardy for a short touchdown pass with five seconds left in the half.
The two teams again traded scoring drives to begin the second half as each team scored touchdowns on its first two possessions. On the next Green Bay possession, the only turnover of the game ruined any chance of a Blizzard comeback. Porterie tried to find a receiver near the goal line when Storm defensive back Donta Moore stepped in front and returned the interception 45 yards for a score to extend the lead to 29 points.
The Blizzard defense had a tough task handling the Storm's three-headed monster in the form of Dixon, Jones, and Solomon. Dixon completed 19 of his 20 passes for 268 yards and 5 touchdowns and no turnovers. Solomon finished with three touchdowns and 102 yards receiving and Jones scored two TD's on the ground.
Green Bay tried to feature key offseason addition, and one of the top running backs in the IFL in 2011, La'Ron Council by handing him the ball 16 times. The defensive line of the Storm was up to the challenge however and held him to just 34 yards and a touchdown. Porterie completed 13 of his 26 passing attempts for 144 yards and the key interception.
Linebacker Greg Jackson continued where he left off in 2011. He lead the Blizzard defense with 10 tackles, including two for a loss
The Blizzard will next play on Friday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. as they again take to the road to challenge the Reading Express in Pennsylvania.
The Blizzard (0-1) were hoping to avenge the 52-12 defeat they suffered in the United Conference Championship Game last July and things got off to a good start when the defense held the Storm to just three points on the opening drive after James Jones returned the kickoff inside the Green Bay 10 yard line. On the ensuing possession, Blizzard kicker Adrian Trevino answered with a 38 yard field goal of his own to tie the score at three. Blizzard quarterback Donovan Porterie completed a 28 yard touchdown strike to Bryan Pray sandwiched between two touchdown scampers by Storm quarterback, and 2011 MVP, Chris Dixon to finish the first quarter in a 17-10 hole.
The second quarter got off on the wrong foot when Trevino missed a 30 yard field goal attempt on fourth down from near midfield. Sioux Falls answered immediately with a James Jones touchdown run, followed by a pair of Dixon scoring strikes to wide receivers Carl Sims and Clinton Solomon respectively to lead 31-10. The Blizzard missed a big opportunity to grab some momentum late in the second quarter when they suffered two dropped passes in the end zone, a failed halfback pass, and a botched fake field goal attempt all in a matter of four plays inside the Sioux Falls 10. The offense regrouped on the next possession when Porterie hit wide receiver Desmond Tardy for a short touchdown pass with five seconds left in the half.
The two teams again traded scoring drives to begin the second half as each team scored touchdowns on its first two possessions. On the next Green Bay possession, the only turnover of the game ruined any chance of a Blizzard comeback. Porterie tried to find a receiver near the goal line when Storm defensive back Donta Moore stepped in front and returned the interception 45 yards for a score to extend the lead to 29 points.
The Blizzard defense had a tough task handling the Storm's three-headed monster in the form of Dixon, Jones, and Solomon. Dixon completed 19 of his 20 passes for 268 yards and 5 touchdowns and no turnovers. Solomon finished with three touchdowns and 102 yards receiving and Jones scored two TD's on the ground.
Green Bay tried to feature key offseason addition, and one of the top running backs in the IFL in 2011, La'Ron Council by handing him the ball 16 times. The defensive line of the Storm was up to the challenge however and held him to just 34 yards and a touchdown. Porterie completed 13 of his 26 passing attempts for 144 yards and the key interception.
Linebacker Greg Jackson continued where he left off in 2011. He lead the Blizzard defense with 10 tackles, including two for a loss
The Blizzard will next play on Friday, March 2nd at 6:00 p.m. as they again take to the road to challenge the Reading Express in Pennsylvania.