Blizzard Puts Out The Fire, Improves To 5-1
May 16, 2005 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
On Saturday night in front of a crowd of 4,534 at the Resch Center, the Green Bay Blizzard made a statement to the rest of the af2 by beating division rival Louisville Fire 65-49.
The Blizzard, with a record of 5-1, now stand tied for first place with the 5-1 Manchester Wolves in the af2's American Conference Eastern Division. Prior to Saturday night's game, there was a 3-way tie for first that included the Fire, and with the loss the Fire slipped into second place with a record of 4-2.
On Oneida Casino "Old School Football Night," Head Coach Bob Landsee came out wearing one of the replica "old school" leather helmets given away by Oneida Casino to the first 1,000 fans, and his team came out and played good, old-fashioned Green Bay-style football. The winning attitude was evident even before the game began, as the team decided to eschew the customary player introductions, choosing instead to be introduced as a team.
The Blizzard stormed out right from the beginning, opening up a 21-0 first quarter lead and never looking back. Highlighted by an unbelievable leaping one-handed interception and return for a TD by WR/LB Robert Garth, the team was firing on all cylinders early on both offense and defense. QB Johnny Turman would enjoy another solid night, completing 17 of 27 passes for 235 yards and 4 TDs, and WR/DB Brent Holmes pulled in 6 passes for 116 yards and 3 TDs to go along his INT return for a TD.
FB/LB Matt Huebner was the proverbial "immovable object" on defense, registering numerous tackles and a pass defensed, and the "irresistible force" on offense, with 6 rushes for 20 yards and 3 TDs. DS Ryan Bowers had another spectacular night, posting 8.5 tackles and notching two more INTs, raising his league-leading total to 7 picks in only 6 games.
Louisville showed that they were worthy of their first-place standing by keeping the game close, pulling to within 7 on two occasions, but the Blizzard stayed strong, maintaining the lead throughout the contest. The Blizzard forced Fire QB Matt Sauk into 3 INT, while also inducing 2 fumbles. Of the 5 Fire turnovers, 2 were returned for immediate Blizzard scores.
Game Awards were swept by the Blizzard, as Huebner took home both the U.S. Army Ironman of the Game and Offensive Player of the Game awards, and Bowers was named ADT Defensive Player of the Game.
The Blizzard stay at home this week to take on their most bitter rivals, the Quad City Steamwheelers. The Blizzard handed the âWheelers a 48-47 defeat in the 2005 preseason in the Inaugural Happy Joe's Pizza Bowl, but are 0-4 against them all-time in the regular season series. It will be St. Mary's Hospital/A Woman's Place Ladies Night, and the first 1,000 ladies will receive a green & white Blizzard feather boa. The Resch Center doors open at 6:00pm, and kickoff is at 7:00pm.
For more information, or to get your Blizzard tickets, contact the Blizzard office at (920) 405-1264.
arenafootball2 Stories from May 16, 2005
- Blizzard Puts Out The Fire, Improves To 5-1 - Green Bay Blizzard
- Smoke Signals - Louisville Fire
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- Week seven af2 game recaps - af2
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