Blizzard Cannot Freeze Titans; Fall 47-37
May 23, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Green Bay, WI -Cedar Rapids recovered a late onside kick with less than a minute remaining to help defeat the Green Bay Blizzard 47-37 on MediaCom Field at the U.S Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids, IA Friday night .
Coming into the game, the Blizzard looked to rally together as a team after being decimated by injuries last week. Green Bay saw six players playing outside of their natural position, playing in the first game of their career, or returning after missing games on injured reserve.
The close, competitive game was filled with back and forth scoring as the game saw the Blizzard succumb to Titans' touchdowns with just eight seconds left in the second quarter and just seven seconds left in the game late. In addition, special teams, after being a strong point last week, struggled vs Cedar Rapids. The Titans blocked two Blizzard field goal attempts during the game.
The Blizzard have become very familiar with the Titans as of late, as the teams have faced each other six times in the last two seasons. With the Titans' victory, Cedar Rapids improves to 5-3 all-time vs. Green Bay. Additionally, the Titans have six former Blizzard players and one coach on their roster.
The Blizzard got on the board first when QB Nate Wara hit WR Alexander McCray for a quick 20 yard touchdown on the team's first drive of the evening. Ex-Blizzard WR Bryan Pray struck back next for the Titans, ending the first quarter with the Blizzard holding a slight 7-6 lead.
The second quarter got off to a strong start as Wara found Donte Sawyer for one of his two touchdown catches on the night. Sawyer has now caught two or more touchdown passes in three consecutive games.
The two teams traded field goals later in the second but Cedar Rapids was able to take advantage of a Nate Wara interception as WR Jefferson Hayes caught a touchdown from Spencer Ohm with just eight seconds remaining in the half to give the Titans their first lead of the night, 19-17, at halftime.
It was a back and forth third quarter as both teams traded lead-changing touchdowns. Wara added another rushing touchdown, his 15th of the season, while Titans WR Carl Sims grabbed a receiving touchdown for the Titans.
After a Lucien Walker touchdown that shrunk the Titans lead to three points late in the fourth quarter the Blizzard attempted an onside kick. The Blizzard recovered but a penalty negated the game-changing moment. The Titans recovered and added a late touchdown by RB Martin Ward to seal the game 47-37.
Blizzard QB Nate Wara completed 17 of 28 passes for 145 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also led the team in rushing with 48 yards and a touchdown. WR Donte Sawyer led the team in receptions with six catches for 41 yards and two touchdowns. DB James Ackel led the team in tackles with eight.
Cedar Rapids QB Spencer Ohm completed 11 of 20 passes for 151 yards and four touchdowns. RB Martin Ward, who was filling in for an injured LaRon Council, had nine rushes for 52 yards and two touchdowns. WR Bryan Pray led the team in catches with four for 60 yards and a touchdown.
The Green Bay Blizzard return to Aurora BayCare Field at the Resch Center next Saturday May 31 to face the Titans in a rematch. Saturday will be ninth man adult jersey night where the first 1,000 adults 21 and up will receive a free replica road jersey sponsored by Bayland Buildings and Y100.
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