Blizzard Defense Stifles Spartans in Convincing Defeat
May 27, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
The Blizzard were back in action Friday night as they made the short road trip to La Crosse to face the Spartans for the second time this season in a Great Lakes Division rematch between in-state rivals.
Coming off a win last Saturday at home against the Reading Express, Green Bay was looking to build on a clinched playoff berth by improving their season road record ahead of the playoffs.
The Blizzard (9-3) controlled the game from the onset, dominating a La Crosse squad that was hungry to avenge the loss they had suffered earlier this month, and defeated the Spartans 66-31.
With the win, Green Bay remained in first place atop the Great Lakes Division, one game ahead of Bloomington and Chicago with two weeks remaining in the regular season. The win proved to be very important as the Blizzard will face Chicago in the final week of the regular season in Green Bay, a game that will likely determine the champion of the Great Lakes Division.
The Green Bay defense put together an especially outstanding performance in the win, scoring two touchdowns, forcing seven Spartan turnovers and only allowing 152 yards of total offense.
The Green Bay offense got off to a hot start, scoring 27 points in the opening quarter. Quarterback Willie Copeland threw four touchdown passes, two apiece, to wide receivers Willie Quinnie (31, 33 yards) and Cedric Hill (26, 8 yards). Both Quinnie and Hill were playing in their first game this season as members of the Blizzard.
In the second quarter, Green Bay was able to capitalize on two Spartan turnovers. Defensive back Josh Jones forced a Spartan fumble, which was returned 24 yards by B.J. Hill for a touchdown. Defensive back Arkeith Brown intercepted Spartan quarterback Ryan Maiuri, which led to a 34-yard field goal by place-kicker Joshua Shene.
Shene made three field goals in the quarter from 38, 34 and 37 yards respectively and Green Bay led 43-17 at halftime.
Copeland connected with Quinnie for two more touchdown passes of 8 and 4 yards in the third quarter, while Shene closed out the fourth quarter with a 33-yard field goal to cap the Blizzard scoring. Shene finished the night, making 4 of 5 field goals.
Copeland completed 17 of 33 passes for 207 yards and six passing touchdowns, four of which were caught by Quinnie. Quinnie caught seven passes for 90 yards and scored four touchdowns, while Hill caught three passes for 49 yards and scored three touchdowns.
Josh Jones led the Blizzard attack on defense, by intercepting two passes, forcing one fumble and collecting nine tackles. One of his two interceptions, he returned for a 18-yard touchdown. The fumble Jones forced was recovered for a touchdown by B.J. Hill.
Defensive backs Arkeith Brown and Bryson Tucker each collected an interception, while defensive linemen Greg Terrell and Jeremiah Price each blocked Spartan field goals.
Green Bay will return home for the following two weeks of the regular season. Next Saturday, June 4 the Blizzard will host Lehigh Valley before closing out the regular season Friday, June 10 against Chicago.
Saturday, June 4 will be Backpack Night, sponsored by Express Convenience Centers and CW 14, with the first 1,500 kids 14 and under receiving a backpack. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
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Indoor Football League Stories from May 27, 2011
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