Blizzard Opens With A Win In Quad City
Published on March 30, 2005 under arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
The Green Bay Blizzard started off the 2005 season with a last-second preseason win against longtime foes the Quad City Steamwheelers. The 48-47 victory also marked the first "W" as a head coach for new Blizzard leader Bob Landsee.
The preseason game, which was the first in the three-year history of the Blizzard franchise, was the inaugural Happy Joe's Pizza Bowl. Held at The MARK of the Quad Cities in Moline, Illinois, the game drew nearly 2,500 fans, which were treated to an exciting game benefiting those in need. Co-sponsored by Quad Cities F.I.S.T (Families in Support of our Troops), every penny of the proceeds from the game will go to help ease the financial burden affecting the families of soldiers serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
In a move certain to engender high emotions in the rivalry, the Blizzard chose to forego the standard player introductions, and were greeted by a resounding chorus of boos by the Quad City faithful when they finally took the field. The chilly welcome didn't bother the Blizzard, and neither did an early defensive stop by the âWheelers. After the Blizzard drove to the Steamwheelers 8-yard line, a missed field goal gave the Steamwheelers the opportunity to take the lead, and they did just that as QB Matt Pike hooked up with Travis Burns for a 7-yard touchdown. A missed PAT kept their lead to 6-0, and it was a miscue that would come back to haunt them.
Less than 3 minutes later, WR/LB Robert Garth made the play of the night when he made a thunderous acrobatic catch for a touchdown on a 17-yard pass from QB Johnny Turman. As Garth went up for the ball in the front corner of the end zone, he was upended by the Steamwheelers defender, pushed over the dasher board and landed on his head. K Dave Hendrix added the PAT for a 7-6 lead.
The Blizzard defense extended the lead just before the first quarter ended as OL/DL Nick Anderson broke through the offensive line to tip a Matt Pike pass, then intercept it and take it 10 yards for the touchdown and a 14-6 lead. The play would prove to be the only turnover of the game.
The scoring would see-saw throughout the game, and would include a 5-yard touchdown pass from Joe Davis to WR/DB Lance Taylor in heavy traffic, a 45-yard touchdown pass from Turman to WR/DB Torrey Day, a 1-yard scoring run by FB/LB Matt Huebner, and yet another touchdown pass by Turman, this time an 8-yard strike to WR/LB Gerald Harris.
As the game drew to a close, the Steamwheelers had taken a 47-42 lead on a Scott Power 1-yard touchdown run, and were attempting to put the game out of reach by attempting a two-point conversion. However, Lance Taylor came up big again by soaring through the air to bat away a Matt Pike pass.
With only 0:52 left on the clock, the Blizzard moved swiftly down the field and into within striking distance. In a classic finish, the Blizzard called their final timeout with 0:03 left on the clock. Head Coach Bob Landsee sent in the play, which was executed perfectly. FB/LB Marcus Green took the handoff from QB Jatavis Sanders and stormed through the line for the touchdown, the 48-47 win, and the Pizza Pan Trophy as the winners of the inaugural Happy Joe's Pizza Bowl.
Blizzard QB Johnny Turman had a solid night, going 14 of 18 for 195 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. OS Troy Mason led all Blizzard receivers with 4 receptions for 59 yards, and FB/LB Matt Huebner had 5 rushes for 13 yards and a touchdown.
Upcoming Blizzard Events
April 8th vs. Albany Conquest â Time Warner Magnetic Schedule. The first 3,500 fans will receive a free 2005 Blizzard magnetic schedule.
April 23rd vs. Macon Knights â Kids Replica Jerseys, sponsored by M&I Bank. The first 1,000 kids age 12 and under will receive a home Blizzard replica jersey.
May 14th vs. Louisville Fire â Ladies Night, Sponsored by St, Mary's Hospital and A Women's Place. The first 1,000 women age 18 and over will receive a green and silver boa. The halftime show will include a powder puff football game with graduates from the St. Mary's and A Women's Place football camp.
May 21st vs. Quad City Steamwheelers â Old School Football, sponsored by Oneida Bingo & Casino. The first 1,000 fans age 21 and over will receive an imitation leather old-fashioned football helmet. Also scheduled are old time players to sign autographs and halftime entertainment by a local high school marching band. Scenes from old time football games and the movie "Old School" will be played on the MegaVision scoreboard. The leather helmet giveaway will be the first of its kind.
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