Express Carry Momentum into Green Bay for Second-Round Game
June 23, 2011 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Reading Express News Release
Reading, Pa. (June 23, 2011) - The Reading Express travel west this weekend to play the Green Bay Blizzard in a second-round IFL playoff game this Saturday at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis. Kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. EST.
The three-seed Express are coming off an impressive 76-33 drubbing of the Chicago Slaughter at the Sovereign Center last Saturday, while the two-seed Blizzard enjoyed a bye week during the first-round.
The Express are carrying a lot of momentum into Green Bay. Last weekend's game against Chicago was the most-impressive the team has played all season. Quarterback Chris Malleo completed 17 of 28 passes for a season-high 279 yards and six touchdowns. Collin Taylor led the offense in receptions with eight catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns. The Express defense held the Slaughter to just 59 yards of offense on the night, had nine sacks and only allowed six points in the second half. Linebacker Michael Thompson led the charge with nine tackles, 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown.
That momentum only helps build confidence for this weekend's contest in Green Bay. The Blizzard lead the series 2-0. The two teams faced each other twice during the regular season at the Resch Center in Green Bay. The Blizzard topped the Express 62-19 on April 15 and 72-40 on May 21.
The Express have upgraded their roster significantly since that last Green Bay game. The addition of players such as OL Mark Stout and DB Armar Watson has really changed the dynamic of the team. That new dynamic was definitely evident during last weekend's game against Chicago.
It's hard not to think the Express have a good chance to beat the Blizzard. Consider the fact that just two weeks ago, it was Green Bay that hosted the Chicago Slaughter. The parallels include wins for both the Express and Blizzard, but the Slaughter-Blizzard game wasn't as lopsided as the Slaughter-Express contest.
The Blizzard escaped that June 10 game with a 65-48. Quarterback Brennan Sim made his first start in place of an injured Willie Copeland. Sim got off to a great start with three first half touchdowns. He threw a pair of touchdown passes to wide receivers Willie Quinnie (8 yards) and Agim Shabaj (31 yards). He also rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. The Blizzard defense also helped pace the first-half scoring output by contributing two touchdowns for the third consecutive week in a row. Defensive lineman James McClinton recovered a fumble by Slaughter quarterback Juice Williams in the end zone for the first touchdown. Linebacker Greg Jackson returned an interception 33 yards for the second. Sim added two more second half touchdowns and finished the night 13 of 23 passing for 184 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 23 yards on eight carries and two touchdowns.
Watch the Game: The Express-Blizzard second-round playoff game will be carried live by America One on the Web. Please log on to www.expressindoorfootball.com for more information and the proper link to the webcast.
Playoff Picture: If the Reading Express are victorious this weekend, the team will advance to the conference championship. The Express would play the winner of Saturday's Omaha Beef-Sioux Falls Storm matchup.
The United Conference Championship game is slated for Saturday, July 9. The IFL United Bowl championship game is set for Saturday, July 23, between the champions of the United Conference and Intense Conference.
The Reading Express are one of the most established franchises in indoor football. In six full seasons, the team has amassed an overall record of 74-26 with five playoff appearances, two conference titles and the 2009 AIFA National Championship. In 2011, Reading begins play as a new member of the Indoor Football League. The team plays on The Reading Hospital Medical Group Field at Sovereign Center in Reading, Pa.
Indoor Football League Stories from June 23, 2011
- 2011 IFL Player Awards Announced - Green Bay Blizzard
- Dixon Named M.V.P - Sioux Falls Storm
- Extreme's Ficklin Receives 2011 IFL Defensive Player of the Year Award - Bloomington Extreme
- 2011 IFL Player Awards Announced - IFL
- Three Playoff Game Previewed on This Week in the IFL - IFL
- Storm Set for Rematch with I-29 Rival - Sioux Falls Storm
- Express Carry Momentum into Green Bay for Second-Round Game - Reading Express
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