Green Bay Blizzard vs Cedar Rapids Titans Game Preview
May 22, 2014 - Indoor Football League (IFL)
Green Bay Blizzard News Release
Green Bay, WI - Conference rivals Green Bay Blizzard and Cedar Rapids Titans will square off for the third time this season Friday, May 23 at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, IA. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Be sure to stop over at Burkel's One Block Over for the Official Blizzard Watch Party as the team takes on the Titans. Enjoy food and drink specials while watching the game with Blizzard fans and staff. Burkel's is located on 1007 Tony Canadeo Dr, Green Bay.
This week's game will be the first of back-to-back games between the two teams, as the Titans travel to Green bay on Saturday, May 31st for the final meeting between the two teams this season. The Blizzard and the Titans faced off in back-to back weeks earlier this season on March 8th and 16th with the Titans winning both contests.
The Blizzard are 3-4 all-time against the Titans since the teams first met in 2012. Green Bay will be looking to even the series up with a win this week, which would be the team's first win of the season.
The Titans' roster contains six players and one coach that have spent time in Green Bay in the past. Starting quarterback Spencer Ohm and running back LaRon Council both played for Green Bay in 2013 and 2012, respectively. Additionally, WR Bryan Pray, DL Jermiah Price, DBTim Shelley, and DB Aaron Moore all played for Green Bay in the past few years. Finally, Head Coach Mark Stoute was an asst coach for the Blizzard in 2006 and 2008.
The Titans will have to compete against a Blizzard team that has matured over the season, while undergoing some big changes.
Since the two teams last faced each other the Blizzard have experienced a coaching change as Tommie Williams took over as the team's new head coach and James Kerwin took over as the team's new defensive coordinator. QB Nate Wara, whose first IFL experience cam against the Titans and running back Lucien Walker have both moved into the top five players in the league for rushing yards per game and rushing touchdowns on the season.
On the other side of the ball, the Blizzard defense has been revamped and is almost completely different than when the two teams last played. Seven of the ten Green Bay defensive players who took snaps against Cedar Rapids no longer play for the team.
Last week, in a losing effort against the Nebraska Danger, the Blizzard offense showed its maturity against the IFL's number one defense. Wara threw for three touchdowns and added score on the ground, while Walker added three rushing touchdowns. The offense will have an extra obstacle to face this week after starting guards Kris Cavitt was placed on season-ending IR and OL Adrian Battles will miss the game due to injury.
On defense, the team will look for a number of players to take another step forward after many of them started in their first game last week. Linebacker Jamil Moore had a solid first-game performance after recording 6.5 tackles and a half sack against Nebraska. Defensive back Dontrell Johnson also impressed after recording 7 tackles in the game, 171 kickoff return yards and was named IFL Special Teams Player of the Week
With a Bemidji Axmen loss last week, the Cedar Rapids Titans have clinched a playoff berth for a second consecutive season. Running back LaRon Council leads the league in rushing yards per game (69.5) and is tied at number two in touchdowns on the season (15). Quarterback Spencer Ohm hurt the Blizzard last game by throwing for five touchdowns and rushing for 53 yards.
On defense the Titans are anchored by defending IFL Defensive Player of the Year DL Xzavie Jackson. Jackson has helped the Titans defense allow the fewest rushing yards per game in the IFL this season (46.6). LB Pasqule Vacchio lead the team with 65.5 tackles and also had 4.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.
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