Post by alecs on May 26, 2023 19:39:57 GMT -8
Steamwheelers 63, Blizzard 56
5/26/23 --
MOLINE, IL - Vibrant Arena at the MARK was the venue for Friday night's important Eastern Conference showdown between the Green Bay Blizzard and the Quad City Steamwheelers. The hometown Steamwheelers rode stellar performances from E.J. Hilliard (six total touchdowns) and Shane Simpson (126 yards rushing) to come away with a thrilling 63-56 victory.
The Steamwheelers received the ball to start the game and wasted absolutely no time setting the tone of the contest, with Hilliard finding his favorite big-play receiver Keyvan Rudd for a 32-yard touchdown to open the scoring ledger. Green Bay's first possession saw them progress as far as the Quad City 16-yard line, but a 32-yard field goal attempt by Logan Justus missed the mark. Hilliard would then engineer an 11-play scoring drive, capped off by his one-yard QB keeper to extend the lead to 14-0. Now in a two-score hole early, Green Bay got the play it needed with Max Meylor tossing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Steven Newbold. That cut the deficit in half to end the first quarter, 14-7 Quad City.
Four plays into quarter number two, Hilliard went right back to Rudd with a five-yard touchdown pass, which Rudd hauled in despite a defensive pass interference call. The Blizzard, however, were quick to respond, needing just one play to get back within seven points. The big play was courtesy of Meylor's 30-yard pass to Marquise Irvin. Quad City's offense would get the ball back and continue their dominant ways, connecting on their fourth touchdown in as many possessions courtesy of a four-yard run from Rudd. Once again, though, the Blizzard landed an immediate counterpunch, with a 55-yard kick return touchdown by Michael Green, Jr. Despite the big plays from Green Bay, their defense still had no response on the Steamwheelers' next drive, as Hilliard completed a four-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Holloman. Deep inside the one minute warning, Green Bay was able to score a touchdown on a six-yard scramble from Meylor, bringing the score at halftime to 35-28, favoring the Steamwheelers.
Green Bay opened the second half with the ball with an opportunity to draw level for the first time in the game. But their drive stalled at their own 15-yard line, and a 50+ yard field goal attempt by Justus came up short. That allowed Quad City the chance to take a decisive two-score lead again, a chance on which they capitalized thanks to an 11-yard rushing score from Shane Simpson. The Blizzard hung tight and got another touchdown on a three-yard pass from Meylor to Irvin, his second of the contest. Green Bay's defense had a solid shot to stop Quad City on an important 3rd-and-5 late in the third quarter, but Hilliard scrambled and beat a linebacker blitz, waltzing his way in for an 18-yard touchdown run. That put the Steamwheelers ahead 49-35 through three quarters.
A few minutes into the fourth quarter, Meylor found the endzone himself on a nine-yard scamper to bring the deficit down to seven once again. Shane Simpson would come up with a two-yard rushing touchdown of his own, restoring Quad City's two-score lead. The Blizzard were able to find another big play on a 23-yard pass from Meylor to Irvin, completing his hat trick for the night. With time dwindling down, Hilliard got his hat trick of rushing touchdowns, punching in his third rushing score of the night from three yards out. Green Bay scored again right at the one minute warning on a two-yard pass from Meylor to Newbold. The ensuing kickoff from Justus was a short one - apparently not an onside kick - with the Blizzard trying to stop Quad City to get the ball back. The strategy did not pay off, as Hilliard ran for a first down on third down of the drive, allowing Quad City to salt away the rest of the clock and secure the 63-56 victory.
E.J. Hilliard added another chapter to his IFL MVP resume tonight, completing 13 of his 19 pass attempts for 151 and three touchdowns, without any interceptions or turnovers. He also chipped in 11 carries for 41 yards and three additional touchdowns on the ground. Shane Simpson had a brilliant day himself, carrying 16 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns, with two catches for 18 yards as a receiver. Keyvan Rudd paced the Steamwheelers' receiving corps with eight catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Max Meylor was also 13-of-19 passing in the losing effort for the Blizzard, totaling 159 yards and five touchdown passes and no interceptions. He also led the Blizzard in rushing, netting 35 yards on five carries for two more scores. Marquise Irvin led Blizzard receivers in receptions (five), yards (90), and touchdowns (3). Michael Green, Jr. caught two passes for seven yards, making his biggest impact of the game on the 55-yard kickoff return during the second quarter.
Quad City advances to 7-3 on the season, which for the moment keeps them one game behind first-place Frisco, who plays tomorrow at home against San Diego. The Steamwheelers now sit one game ahead of the Pirates for second place in the East, with the Pirates taking on the Oilers in Tulsa tomorrow.
With the loss, Green Bay falls to 4-5. With Sioux Falls crushing Iowa tonight 77-26, the Blizzard slip outside of the projected playoff picture in fifth place in the East, one game behind the Storm.
This was the first of three meetings between the Blizzard and Steamwheelers this season. The next encounter will take place in two weeks (Friday, June 9) in Green Bay. The third meeting will occur in Moline in Week 17 (Saturday, July 8). Green Bay still holds the all-time series lead three games to two.
The Blizzard will visit the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday, June 3 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. After a bye next week, the Steamwheelers will be back in action on Friday, June 9 when they visit Green Bay for a rematch with the Blizzard. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. in that one. All times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for our complete 2023 IFL Schedule.
5/26/23 --
MOLINE, IL - Vibrant Arena at the MARK was the venue for Friday night's important Eastern Conference showdown between the Green Bay Blizzard and the Quad City Steamwheelers. The hometown Steamwheelers rode stellar performances from E.J. Hilliard (six total touchdowns) and Shane Simpson (126 yards rushing) to come away with a thrilling 63-56 victory.
The Steamwheelers received the ball to start the game and wasted absolutely no time setting the tone of the contest, with Hilliard finding his favorite big-play receiver Keyvan Rudd for a 32-yard touchdown to open the scoring ledger. Green Bay's first possession saw them progress as far as the Quad City 16-yard line, but a 32-yard field goal attempt by Logan Justus missed the mark. Hilliard would then engineer an 11-play scoring drive, capped off by his one-yard QB keeper to extend the lead to 14-0. Now in a two-score hole early, Green Bay got the play it needed with Max Meylor tossing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Steven Newbold. That cut the deficit in half to end the first quarter, 14-7 Quad City.
Four plays into quarter number two, Hilliard went right back to Rudd with a five-yard touchdown pass, which Rudd hauled in despite a defensive pass interference call. The Blizzard, however, were quick to respond, needing just one play to get back within seven points. The big play was courtesy of Meylor's 30-yard pass to Marquise Irvin. Quad City's offense would get the ball back and continue their dominant ways, connecting on their fourth touchdown in as many possessions courtesy of a four-yard run from Rudd. Once again, though, the Blizzard landed an immediate counterpunch, with a 55-yard kick return touchdown by Michael Green, Jr. Despite the big plays from Green Bay, their defense still had no response on the Steamwheelers' next drive, as Hilliard completed a four-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Holloman. Deep inside the one minute warning, Green Bay was able to score a touchdown on a six-yard scramble from Meylor, bringing the score at halftime to 35-28, favoring the Steamwheelers.
Green Bay opened the second half with the ball with an opportunity to draw level for the first time in the game. But their drive stalled at their own 15-yard line, and a 50+ yard field goal attempt by Justus came up short. That allowed Quad City the chance to take a decisive two-score lead again, a chance on which they capitalized thanks to an 11-yard rushing score from Shane Simpson. The Blizzard hung tight and got another touchdown on a three-yard pass from Meylor to Irvin, his second of the contest. Green Bay's defense had a solid shot to stop Quad City on an important 3rd-and-5 late in the third quarter, but Hilliard scrambled and beat a linebacker blitz, waltzing his way in for an 18-yard touchdown run. That put the Steamwheelers ahead 49-35 through three quarters.
A few minutes into the fourth quarter, Meylor found the endzone himself on a nine-yard scamper to bring the deficit down to seven once again. Shane Simpson would come up with a two-yard rushing touchdown of his own, restoring Quad City's two-score lead. The Blizzard were able to find another big play on a 23-yard pass from Meylor to Irvin, completing his hat trick for the night. With time dwindling down, Hilliard got his hat trick of rushing touchdowns, punching in his third rushing score of the night from three yards out. Green Bay scored again right at the one minute warning on a two-yard pass from Meylor to Newbold. The ensuing kickoff from Justus was a short one - apparently not an onside kick - with the Blizzard trying to stop Quad City to get the ball back. The strategy did not pay off, as Hilliard ran for a first down on third down of the drive, allowing Quad City to salt away the rest of the clock and secure the 63-56 victory.
E.J. Hilliard added another chapter to his IFL MVP resume tonight, completing 13 of his 19 pass attempts for 151 and three touchdowns, without any interceptions or turnovers. He also chipped in 11 carries for 41 yards and three additional touchdowns on the ground. Shane Simpson had a brilliant day himself, carrying 16 times for 126 yards and two touchdowns, with two catches for 18 yards as a receiver. Keyvan Rudd paced the Steamwheelers' receiving corps with eight catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
Max Meylor was also 13-of-19 passing in the losing effort for the Blizzard, totaling 159 yards and five touchdown passes and no interceptions. He also led the Blizzard in rushing, netting 35 yards on five carries for two more scores. Marquise Irvin led Blizzard receivers in receptions (five), yards (90), and touchdowns (3). Michael Green, Jr. caught two passes for seven yards, making his biggest impact of the game on the 55-yard kickoff return during the second quarter.
Quad City advances to 7-3 on the season, which for the moment keeps them one game behind first-place Frisco, who plays tomorrow at home against San Diego. The Steamwheelers now sit one game ahead of the Pirates for second place in the East, with the Pirates taking on the Oilers in Tulsa tomorrow.
With the loss, Green Bay falls to 4-5. With Sioux Falls crushing Iowa tonight 77-26, the Blizzard slip outside of the projected playoff picture in fifth place in the East, one game behind the Storm.
This was the first of three meetings between the Blizzard and Steamwheelers this season. The next encounter will take place in two weeks (Friday, June 9) in Green Bay. The third meeting will occur in Moline in Week 17 (Saturday, July 8). Green Bay still holds the all-time series lead three games to two.
The Blizzard will visit the Iowa Barnstormers on Saturday, June 3 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. After a bye next week, the Steamwheelers will be back in action on Friday, June 9 when they visit Green Bay for a rematch with the Blizzard. Kickoff is set for 5:05 p.m. in that one. All times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for our complete 2023 IFL Schedule.
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.
- AS
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