IFL Green Bay Blizzard

Blizzard Fall to Undefeated Sioux Falls Storm

May 15, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release


The Green Bay Blizzard were back on the road Sunday as they traveled to Sioux Falls, S.D., to face the undefeated Storm in a matchup between division leaders of the United Conference. The game featured the first-ever meeting between both teams and Green Bay was looking to hand the Storm their first loss of the season.

Coming off a victory last week against the La Crosse Spartans, the Blizzard were unable to carry that momentum into Sunday's game and fell to the Storm 57-38 at Sioux Falls Arena. In defeat, Green Bay dropped to 7-3 overall and 3-3 on the road this season.

The Storm (10-0) got on the scoreboard first in the contest when place-kicker Parker Douglass made a 37-yard field goal on the team's first offensive series.

Following a missed field-goal attempt by Blizzard place-kicker Joshua Shene, Storm quarterback Chris Dixon found wide receiver Blake Wilson for a 22-yard touchdown on third down to extend Sioux Fall's lead to 10-0.

The Blizzard quickly responded to cut the lead to 10-7 to close out the first quarter when quarterback Willie Copeland found Jameel Sewell for a 5-yard touchdown. On the play, Copeland squeezed the pass into a tight window in the middle of the end zone between two Storm defenders.

Following the touchdown, Green Bay was able to force Sioux Falls into a 50-yard field goal attempt. The Blizzard obtained the ball after Douglass failed to connect on the attempt and marched the ball down into Storm territory where Shene made a 26-yard field goal with 9:22 remaining in the second quarter to even the score at 10-10.

The Storm responded with a five-play drive, capped off by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dixon to wide receiver James Terry to regain the lead and put the score at 17-10.

Following the touchdown, Green Bay moved the ball downfield within the Storm 5-yard line, but were unable to score a touchdown and settled for a 17-yard field goal by Shene to cut the lead to 17-13.

On the ensuing kickoff, Green Bay running back DeMaundray Woolridge recovered a Storm fumble, giving the Blizzard the ball on the Sioux Fall 12-yard line. Four plays later, Shene made his third field goal of the first half, when he connected from 23 yards out to put the score at 17-16.

After a short kickoff by Shene, the Storm needed only three plays to score another touchdown. The score came when Dixon found wide receiver Stewart Franks for a 13-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 24-16 and close out the first half.

On the first series of the second half, the Blizzard moved the ball 28 yards down into Storm territory, but once again settled for three points when Shene made a 22-yard field goal to cut the lead to 24-19 with 12:24 remaining in the third quarter.

The Storm received a 36-yard kickoff return by James Terry and were able to score another touchdown two plays later when Storm running back James Jones plunged into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown run.

After the Blizzard received a 42-yard field goal by Shene, his fifth of the contest, Jones broke several tackles on his way into the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown to extend the Storm lead to 37-22.

Sioux Falls added another touchdown minutes later, but the Blizzard closed the gap to 12 points to close out the third quarter when Copeland found wide receiver Agim Shabaj streaking down the sidelines wide open for a 30-yard touchdown. The score was 44-32.

The Storm outscored the Blizzard 13-6 in the fourth quarter to close the game and secure the victory.

Despite the loss, Green Bay received a tremendous effort from place-kicker Joshua Shene who made six field goals on seven attempts to break the Blizzard single game record. Shene made field goals of 34, 42, 22, 23, 17 and 26 yards. Blizzard wide receiver Agim Shabaj also put together a solid effort, catching nine passes for 109 yards and scoring one touchdown. Defensive back B.J. Hill had two interceptions in the end zone and also had 6 tackles.

Next week, the Blizzard return home to face the Reading Express on Saturday, May 21. Game time is 7:30 p.m. It will be Replica Jersey Night. Aurora BayCare & WFRV TV-5 are giving away Youth Replica Jerseys to the first 1,500 kids 14 & under. It's also Hall of Fame Youth Day. The Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame and Green Bay Blizzard invite all youth and scout groups out for a day of fun. A $12 package includes a Hall of Fame Pass (Hours: 9am-6pm), a Packers Patch, and a South End Zone Blizzard ticket. There must be a minimum of 20 people in your group. Call 920-405-1264 for details.



Indoor Football League Stories from May 15, 2011


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