Blizzard vs Xplorers Preview
August 11, 2006 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
The defending ArenaCup Champion Memphis Xplorers travel to Green Bay this week for an American Conference semifinal showdown against the East Division Champion Blizzard. The Xplorers showed why they are the reigning league champs last week with a convincing 83-61 win against Louisville.
The game was actually a rematch of the 2005 ArenaCup game that Memphis won, 63-41. The Xplorers put the game away in the fourth quarter with a 28-8 run. OS KEVIN PRENTISS had a record-breaking night for Memphis. He got the scoring started right away, returning the opening kickoff 58 yards for a touchdown. Prentiss hauled in 12 receptions for 192 yards and an af2 playoff-record seven touchdowns. He also set postseason marks for points scored (48) and total touchdowns (8). His 58-yard return tied a league playoff mark as well. Veteran QB BRIAN JONES threw nine touchdown passes in all and completed 19-of-24 passes for 241 yards with one interception. His nine scoring passes set a personal and team postseason record.
Other than Prentiss and Jones, Memphis' other impact players were WR/DB DEON GIDDENS and WR/LB GREG GOLDEN, who each recorded a rushing and receiving score. The defense came up with big plays as well, especially in the final two quarters. The unit forced five turnovers. DS SCOTT CUNNINGHAM leading the way with seven tackles. Cunningham's sidekick in the secondary, DS SID HAUGABROOK, stepped up his play with six tackles, a half a tackle for loss and four break ups. Up front, Golden (3 tackles, FR, INT), OL/DL CHRIS EGGLESTON (5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 FF, FR) and OL/DL JOSEPH CREAR (1 sack, FF, FR) provided the pressure up front.
The Green Bay Blizzard are coming into this week's contest well-rested after having a bye week thanks to their East Division regular season title and No. 2 seed. In their last game, they defeated Louisville as well, 54-53, at home in Week 18. FB/LB JEFF COGELL had 37 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win. QB JAMES MACPHERSON threw for 276 yards and two scores and added a rushing touchdown. WR/LB ROBERT GARTH caught both touchdowns, while OS BRENT HOLMES recorded 257 all-purpose yards. Holmes (16.7), and WR/DB LUKE LEVERSON (15.0) rank in the Top 10 in yards per catch. Defensive specialists DAVID CROCKER and RANDEE DREW guided the defense with six tackles and one tackle for loss each. Green Bay's rushing offense ranked first in the af2 during the regular season, averaging 39.2 yards per game. The Blizzard also scored a league-best 46 touchdowns on the ground. Green Bay's defense is solid, allowing just 44.9 points per game, but will be tested by Memphis' potent offensive attack. The Blizzard have played well down the stretch, winning five of their final six contests. Green Bay also has the advantage of playing at home at the Resch Center, which should be rockin' as the Blizzard host their first-ever home playoff game.
Tickets for the game are still available by visiting the Resch Center Ticket Star box off ice or by calling (920) 494-3401. For more information, contact the Blizzard office at (920) 405-1264.
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