Post by DiamondThief on May 25, 2018 18:56:06 GMT -8
FINAL - Barnstormers 41, Blizzard 14
5/25/18 --
DES MOINES, IA - Drew Powell threw for three touchdowns and rushed for three more as the Iowa Barnstormers overwhelmed the Green Bay Blizzard, 41-14, in week 14 of the Indoor Football League season tonight at Wells Fargo Arena.
The Barnstormers improved to 9-2, while the Blizzard fell to 2-9. The Iowa win completed the sweep of the season sweep over Green Bay, 3-0.
The Barnstormers improved to 9-2, while the Blizzard fell to 2-9. The Iowa win completed the sweep of the season sweep over Green Bay, 3-0.
With the win, the Barnstormers moved into, at least temporarily, a tie atop the standings with the Arizona Rattlers at 9-2. Iowa holds the tiebreaker having already clinched the season series with Arizona. The Rattlers host the Nebraska Danger on May 27 at 3:05 p.m.
The 14 points by the Blizzard were the season low by any IFL team in a game this season. The previous low was 19 points by the Cedar Rapids Titans in a week 6.
Iowa struck first, with 3:40 remaining in the opening quarter, on am 11-yard form from Powell. Josh Gable's point after try was blocked, leaving the Barnstormers with a 6-0 lead which endured through the end of the quarter.
Gable was true on a 29-yard field goal try five-and-a-half minutes into the second quarter. The Barnstormers went up 15-0 with 50 seconds remaining in the half. That would be the score at the intermission.
The Barnstormers went up 21-0 on the first drive of the third quarter on Brady Roland's seven-yard pass from Powell. The Blizzard finally got on the board with 5:38 left in the third quarter when Bryan Hicks fired a laser to Chris Malott for four yards. Jordan Endries' kick was no good, and the Barnstormers' lead was 21-6. The Barnstormers responded on a 26-yard touchdown run by Powell. Once again, Gable's point after wobbled wide to the left. Iowa led 27-6 at the end of the third.
Powell scored on a one-yard run at the 13:08 mark of the fourth quarter to give Iowa a four-touchdown lead. That lead was extended as the Barnstormers capped a nine-play, 6:32-yard drive with a two-yard pass from Powell to Sheldon Augustine. Hicks found Tim Lukas for a 16-yard touchdown, and then connected with Malott on a two-point conversion, to draw the Blizzard to within 41-13 with 2:10 remaining in the fourth.
The Barnstormers more than doubled the Blizzard in total offense, 291 yards to 141, including a decided edge in the running game, 137 yards to 15. Green Bay was penalized seven times for 46 yards and Iowa was flagged five times for 25 yards. While not typically a particularly important stat by indoor football standards, Iowa held a large edge in time of possession, 39:00 to 21:00.
Powell went 14 of 24 for 154 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed 20 times for 107 yards and three scores. Donavan Williams rushed 5 times for 22 yards and caught a pair of passes for 39 yards. Ryan Balentine had 6 grabs for 71 yards, while Brady Roland hauled in 4 passes for 33 yards and 2 touchdowns. Sheldon Augustine added 2 receptions for 11 yards and a touchdown. Rocky Hayes led a balanced and impressive Iowa defense with 4 total tackles and a pass break up. Jourdan Wickliffe and Tyrell Pearson each recorded an interception, and Keith Jones, Jr. and Dvonn Brown has a sack apiece.
Hicks completed 12 of 22 passes for 137 yards with 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. B.J. Hill had his roughest rushing outing in his fourth start at running back, gaining just 10 yards on 7 carries. Hill caught 3 passes for 46 yards. Jereme Jones and Chris Malott each had 4 receptions for 44 and 31 yards, respectively. Malott and Lukas each caught a touchdown pass from Hicks. Linebacker Robert Metz was outstanding in the losing effort, recording 10.5 total tackles with one going for a loss. Manny Asprilla added an interception to his 7 total tackles for the Blizzard.
The Barnstormers are at home on June 1 against the Arizona Rattlers with an opportunity to sweep that season series. Kickoff in that one is set for 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 p.m. central). The Blizzard are at home on June 1 against the Sioux Falls Storm with a kickoff of 5:05 p.m. pacific (7:05 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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