Post by DiamondThief on May 12, 2018 20:32:19 GMT -8
FINAL - Rattlers 62, Blizzard 26
5/12/18 --
GREEN BAY, WI - The Arizona Rattlers jumped out to a 28-0 second quarter lead and ran away from the Green Bay Blizzard to record their ninth win of the IFL season tonight at the Resch Center.
With the 62-26 win, the Rattlers moved to an 9-1 record, best in the Indoor Football League. The Blizzard, which won their first game of the season last week, fell to 1-8.
Jeff Ziemba capped the Rattlers opening drive with a two-yard run. Just over five minutes later he hit Anthony Jones, Jr. on an eight-yard scoring strike and the Rattlers led 14-0 at the end of one quarter.
With the 62-26 win, the Rattlers moved to an 9-1 record, best in the Indoor Football League. The Blizzard, which won their first game of the season last week, fell to 1-8.
Jeff Ziemba capped the Rattlers opening drive with a two-yard run. Just over five minutes later he hit Anthony Jones, Jr. on an eight-yard scoring strike and the Rattlers led 14-0 at the end of one quarter.
Darrell Monroe's four-yard run extended the lead to 21-0 with 14:48 to go in the second quarter. Ziemba found Jamal Miles for six yards and Arizona's lead was 28-0 20 minutes into the game. The Blizzard finally got on the board with 5:43 left in the second as Tyler Johnson rushed from two yards out. Jeff Budzien added a 29-yard field goal to draw the Blizzard to within 28-10 with 16 seconds remaining in the half. Dezmon Epps returned the ensuing kickoff 57 yards for the Rattlers. Budzien hit a 40-yard field goal as time expired, and the Rattlers' lead was 35-13 at intermission.
Arizona started the third quarter with a bang as Ziemba hit Epps for a 47-yard touchdown pass and the Rattlers' lead was 42-13 early in the quarter. The Blizzard countered with a five-yard run from Johnson. The Rattlers then extended their lead to 48-20 on a four-yard pass from Ziemba to Miles.
The Rattlers opened the fourth quarter with an 18-yard stroke from Verlon Reed, Jr. to Epps. Reed hit Anthony Amos on a 14-yard scoring pass with 2:44 left in the game. B.J. Hill's six-yard touchdown run as time expired accounted for the final tally of 62-26.
In the second quarter, Hicks was replaced by Johnson, listed as one of three quarterbacks on the Green Bay roster. With the Rattlers' 48-20 lead by the end of the third quarter, Verlon Reed, Jr. Reed, while playing for the Salt Lake Screaming Eagles last season, was named IFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was the Rattlers' opening-day quarterback, but suffered an injury in the season opener. Ziemba has been the starter ever since.
Ziemba completed 11 of 13 passes for 111 yards with 5 touchdowns. He also rushed for 32 yards and a touchdown. Epps had his most successful outing as a Rattler. He had 3 receptions for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns to go along with his 57-yard kickoff return for touchdown. Amos caught 2 balls for 27 yards and a touchdown, and Miles had 4 catches for 25 yards and 2 scores. Jones and Monroe each caught a touchdown pass. Justin Shirk was a monster on defense with his 12 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. Joshua Gordon and Terrence Surratt each had a sack, while Arkeith Brown had an interception.
Hicks completed 4 of 11 passes for 36 yards with 2 interceptions. Johnson went 4 of 7 for 24 yards and in interception and rushed for two touchdowns. Hill, already an IFL Hall of Famer, has been converted from his defensive back position to running back, and was impressive with 17 rushes for 91 yards and a score. Jereme Jones caught 6 passes for 48 yards. Akim Francis led the Blizzard with 5.5 total tackles, and Jimmy Jean forced a fumble.
The Blizzard will visit the Nebraska Danger on May 18 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. central). Rattlers will host the Iowa Barnstormers on May 20. Kickoff in that one is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. pacific (5:05 p.m. central).
Both games, as well as all IFL games this season, will be streamed live on the IFL's Official YouTube Channel. SCtoC will present previews of those, and all, games this season. Those previews will be posted on the board of the home team in each game.
- ANM
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