Blizzard Clinch Playoff Spot, Extinguish Fire 74-48
July 20, 2007 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Blizzard Clinch Playoff Spot, Extinguish Fire 74-48
The Green Bay Blizzard clinched a spot in the postseason with their 74-48 dowsing of the Louisville Fire in front of 6,667 fans. The win also kept the Blizzard perfect inside the friendly confines of U.S. Cellular Field at the Resch Center for the season, and sets up a potential home playoff game on August 3rd with a win next week against Mahoning Valley. Dating back to last season, the victory extends the consecutive home winning streak to ten games.
Green Bay got on the board first when QB Gino Guidugli hit WR Kellen Allen on a 19 yard touchdown strike. The Fire then pulled to even on QB Joel Steele's 8 yard scoring pass to WR Lawrence Mathews. After the first quarter, the game was tied at 7-all.
In the second quarter, the teams continued to trade scores. The trend was started by Fire WR Lonnell Dewalt's 6 yard touchdown reception. The Blizzard answered back with FB Antonio Ficklin's 4 yard rushing score to cut the lead to one. The Blizzard then jumped ahead behind the special teams' play of WR Gerald Harris, as Harris took a 57 yard missed field goal coast-to-coast for the touchdown return. WR Lonnell Dewalt evened the score just before the half with his 3 yard touchdown grab, and at the break, the score was tied at 27.
The Blizzard came out swinging in the third quarter, scoring three consecutive touchdowns in just over three minutes, to put the Fire in their rearview mirror. DL/FB Tyre Young's 2 yard rushing touchdown accounted for the first score, while a kickoff return by WR Nate Hardwick and an interception by DB Ronnie Amadi accounted for the other two scores. After those three touchdowns, the Blizzard led handily, 47-27. Louisville would get in the endzone twice in the third quarter, but Green Bay's offense remained too much of a juggernaut. WR Scott Burnoski's 5 yard touchdown reception from QB Gino Guidugli left the Blizzard with the 13 point lead at the end of the third quarter.
The Blizzard offense remained hot in the fourth quarter, as they reached the endzone three more times. The first score was a Guidugli to WR Gerald Harris 30 yard connection while the second was a Guidugli to TE Markevius Woods 2 yard hook up. The game was topped off with a WR Nate Hardwick 8 yard scoring reception.
Complimenting the offensive eruption was the defense, particularly DB Stephen Cason. Cason, who had 11 solo tackles in the game, rewrote the Blizzard record books for the single-season tackles mark previously held by now-Orlando Predators DB Ryan Bowers. Bowers had 102.5 tackles with the Blizzard back in 2005.
The win clinches a playoff spot for Green Bay, increases their season record to 9-6, and puts them in control of their own destiny for the Midwest Division crown. Next Saturday, the Blizzard travel to Mahoning Valley to battle the Thunder. With a win, Green Bay can clinch the Midwest Division title and set up a home playoff game for August 3rd. Game time is scheduled for 6:00 pm CST. Blizzard playoff tickets will go on sale next week. For more information contact the Blizzard office at (920) 405-1264. Statistics:
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