Post by DiamondThief on Jun 1, 2019 17:53:52 GMT -8
FINAL - Blizzard 41, Bucks 10
6/1/19 --
BISMARCK, ND - The six-year playoff drought for the Green Bay Blizzard is over.
Green Bay clinched their first post-season playoff berth since 2012 with a dominating 41-10 win over the Bismarck Bucks tonight at the Bismarck Event Center. During that 2012 season, the Blizzard finished 11-3, advancing to the quarterfinals where they topped the Bloomington Edge before falling to the eventual champion Sioux Falls Storm in the conference championship, 61-42.
The Blizzard improve to 7-5 on the season and currently sit in fourth place in the playoff race. That's the highest possible position they could attain and, if they keep it, they would host a first round playoff game at the Resch Center.
The Bucks fell to 2-10 and are officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. Green Bay completed the sweep of Bismarck with the win, as it defeated the Bucks 48-39 on May 4 in Green Bay. The 10 points scored by Bismarck was their season low.
The Blizzard scored just three minutes into the game on a one-yard run by recently signed Anthony Philyaw. On their first possession, the Bucks were forced to settle for a 15-yard field goal from Cody Barber. Lenorris Footman's lofting throw to a wide-open Levi Copelin put Green Bay up 14-3 with 1:01 left in the opening quarter.
After Bakari Triggs' interception of a Diantae Thomas pass, Green Bay increased their lead to 21-3 on a two-yard run around the left side from Kezlow Smith. That would be the only score of the second quarter.
Thomas found Eric Lauderdale for a two-yard touchdown on their opening drive of the second half. to cut the deficit to 18 points. The Blizzard added a 42-yard field goal from Newly signed Derek Vacha to give the Blizzard a 31-10 lead midway through the third quarter.
They added to that on Vacha's 26-yard field goal with 11:22 remaining in the final quarter. Green Bay added a touchdown on a one-yard run by Footman midway through the quarter to account for the final margin.
Bismarck struggled all night on offense. Thomas made the start for John Gibbs, who was injured in the Bucks' loss last week to the Iowa Barnstormers. Tasleem Wilson, who was signed earlier in the week, replaced him early in the second quarter, though Thomas returned in the third.
Green Bay finished with 226 yards of total offense to 99 for Bismarck. That included advantages of 178 yards though the air and 45 on the ground. Each team was penalized six times; for 51 yards by the Blizzard and 50 for the Bucks.
Footman, a possible candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, finished 13 of 22 for 146 yards with two touchdowns, and rushed for another score. Anthony Philyaw, playing in his first game for the Blizzard, rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Copelin finished with six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor had five catches for 42 yards and a score. Dayshawn Taylor had six solo tackles for the defense. Heath Harding picked off two passes and Triggs had an interception.
Thomas went 10 of 15 for 49 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Lauderdale added three catches for 18 yards to his touchdown grab. Lynn Williams led the way for the Bucks' defense with 10 tackles while Brandon Henrie broke up three passes.
The Bucks will visit the Quad City Steamwheelers on June 7 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. The Blizzard will visit the Cedar Rapids River Kings on June 8 as the first part of an away-and-home against their rival to the south. Kickoff in that one is set for 5:05 p.m. All times listed are pacific standard time.
6/1/19 --
BISMARCK, ND - The six-year playoff drought for the Green Bay Blizzard is over.
Green Bay clinched their first post-season playoff berth since 2012 with a dominating 41-10 win over the Bismarck Bucks tonight at the Bismarck Event Center. During that 2012 season, the Blizzard finished 11-3, advancing to the quarterfinals where they topped the Bloomington Edge before falling to the eventual champion Sioux Falls Storm in the conference championship, 61-42.
The Blizzard improve to 7-5 on the season and currently sit in fourth place in the playoff race. That's the highest possible position they could attain and, if they keep it, they would host a first round playoff game at the Resch Center.
The Bucks fell to 2-10 and are officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss. Green Bay completed the sweep of Bismarck with the win, as it defeated the Bucks 48-39 on May 4 in Green Bay. The 10 points scored by Bismarck was their season low.
The Blizzard scored just three minutes into the game on a one-yard run by recently signed Anthony Philyaw. On their first possession, the Bucks were forced to settle for a 15-yard field goal from Cody Barber. Lenorris Footman's lofting throw to a wide-open Levi Copelin put Green Bay up 14-3 with 1:01 left in the opening quarter.
After Bakari Triggs' interception of a Diantae Thomas pass, Green Bay increased their lead to 21-3 on a two-yard run around the left side from Kezlow Smith. That would be the only score of the second quarter.
Thomas found Eric Lauderdale for a two-yard touchdown on their opening drive of the second half. to cut the deficit to 18 points. The Blizzard added a 42-yard field goal from Newly signed Derek Vacha to give the Blizzard a 31-10 lead midway through the third quarter.
They added to that on Vacha's 26-yard field goal with 11:22 remaining in the final quarter. Green Bay added a touchdown on a one-yard run by Footman midway through the quarter to account for the final margin.
Bismarck struggled all night on offense. Thomas made the start for John Gibbs, who was injured in the Bucks' loss last week to the Iowa Barnstormers. Tasleem Wilson, who was signed earlier in the week, replaced him early in the second quarter, though Thomas returned in the third.
Green Bay finished with 226 yards of total offense to 99 for Bismarck. That included advantages of 178 yards though the air and 45 on the ground. Each team was penalized six times; for 51 yards by the Blizzard and 50 for the Bucks.
Footman, a possible candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, finished 13 of 22 for 146 yards with two touchdowns, and rushed for another score. Anthony Philyaw, playing in his first game for the Blizzard, rushed 12 times for 58 yards and a touchdown. Copelin finished with six receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown, while Taylor had five catches for 42 yards and a score. Dayshawn Taylor had six solo tackles for the defense. Heath Harding picked off two passes and Triggs had an interception.
Thomas went 10 of 15 for 49 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Lauderdale added three catches for 18 yards to his touchdown grab. Lynn Williams led the way for the Bucks' defense with 10 tackles while Brandon Henrie broke up three passes.
The Bucks will visit the Quad City Steamwheelers on June 7 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. The Blizzard will visit the Cedar Rapids River Kings on June 8 as the first part of an away-and-home against their rival to the south. Kickoff in that one is set for 5:05 p.m. All times listed are pacific standard time.
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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