Post by alecs on Jun 24, 2023 6:45:12 GMT -8
Storm 47, Blizzard 45
6/23/23 --
SIOUX FALLS, SD - On Friday Night, the Green Bay Blizzard and Sioux Falls Storm met at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Backed by a dominant run game that found the endzone seven times on the night, the Storm prevailed over their longtime rival and eked out a close win, 47-45.
Green Bay took the opening possession of the game and scored first, driving up the field and drawing first blod with a three-yard run by Terrence Smith. The extra point by Logan Justus was no good, which kept the score 6-0. Sioux Falls needed just three plays to get their counterpunch, provided by a two-yard rush from quarterback Lorenzo Brown. On the second possession for the Blizzard, Max Meylor fumbled on a scramble, and it was Sioux Falls linebacker James Brown providing the recovery against his former team from last season. The Storm would capitalize off that takeaway with a four-yard rush touchdown from Bryson Denley to up their lead to 14-6. That would hold as the score at the end of the first quarter.
With the ball to begin the second quarter, Meylor led the Blizzard to a score by taking a three-yard run into the endzone. Again, however, Justus was unsuccessful on the extra point attempt, keeping Green Bay behind by a pair. Sioux Falls struck upfield quickly and cashed in on its next possession with Brown's second rushing score of the game from four yards out. Green Bay could not get going on its next possession and was forced into a lengthy 60-yard field goal on fourth down, which Justus booted out-of-bounds down the right sideline, effectively serving as Sioux Falls' second defensive stand of the half. The Storm continued to dominate on the ground, with Brown collecting his third rushing score on a six-yard tote to expand his team's advantage to 27-12. It would take deep into the one-minute warning, but Green Bay would provide the game's first passing touchdown at that point, with Meylor connecting with Steven Newbold on a 16-yard toss to cut the Storm lead to 27-19. The Storm had just enough time to drive into Green Bay territory, but a last-second field goal attempt from Austin Neufeld was blocked by Green Bay to keep the score 27-19 at the midway mark.
Armed with an eight point lead and possession to start the second half, Sioux Falls picked up right where it left off - imposing its will with the run game - and on this occasion it was once again Lorenzo Brown finding the endzone for a fourth rushing touchdown (two yards). Green Bay, desperate to keep pace, got a response touchdown on a two-yard run from Meylor. Sioux Falls grinded their way back to a double-digit lead on a one-yard rush from Denley, his second of the game. That accounted for all the scoring through three quarters, as Sioux Falls carried a 41-26 lead entering the last 15 minutes.
The Blizzard wasted no time to pick up the touchdown, which came by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Meylor to Newbold on the first play of the quarter. Justus would miss a third extra point, notably keeping the Green Bay deficit at nine points. The next drive for Sioux Falls would require a pivotal conversion on 3rd-and-11, which the Storm were able to get, and Brown's fifth rushing score shortly after that restored the two-score advantage. Neufeld's missed extra point kept the Blizzard trailing by 15 with about nine minutes remaining in the game. Meylor found another chunk play for a touchdown, hurling a 28-yard dart to Marquise Irvin for the score to claw back to within eight. The Green Bay defense, looking all game long for some sort of spark, was finally able to deliver, intercepting a 3rd-and-11 pass attempt rom Brown. Tre Claybourne took the pickoff and returned it all the way to the Storm 16-yard line, setting the Blizzard up with an opportunity to tie the game late in regulation. On a drive that extended past the one-minute warning, the Storm defense initially stood strong, forcing the Blizzard to dip into its bank of timeouts. On 3rd-and-goal, Meylor tossed a pass to Irvin, who made a highlight-reel catch in ripping an underthrown ball away from a defender for the touchdown. The pivotal two-point conversion play came next, with Green Bay needing a successful conversion to tie the game up. Initially ruled as a completed pass to Newbold, Sioux Fall coach Kurtiss Riggs challenged the play, a decision that would pay in spades. Officials ruled that the ball hit the ground prior to Newbold gaining possession, nullifying the conversion and keeping the score 47-45. Shockingly, the Blizzard did not attempt an onside kick, with Justus booting the ball the length of the field. The Storm only needed to take the ball barely into the field of play, and from there the offense kneeled out the clock to clinch the close victory, 47-45.
Lorenzo Brown was efficient as a passer despite not having a touchdown pass, completing 13-of-15 attempts for 116 yards with just one interception. Brown did most of his damage as a rusher, turning 13 carries into 26 yards and five touchdowns. Bryson Denley, filling in for Xavier Jackson (Short-Term IR), took 12 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in three passes for 15 yards. Draysean Hudson (3/26) and Donnie Corley (3/25) each had three catches for the Storm as well, and James Brown came up with a pivotal fumble recovery in the early stages of the contest.
Max Meylor also went 13-of-15 passing for the Blizzard, accumulating 160 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, but did have a lost fumble in the game. Meylor was also the team's leading rusher, on 11 carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Newbold (4/47/2) and Marquise Irvin (3/41/2) each had a pair of receiving touchdowns, while Terrence Smith took 12 combined touches for 52 yards and a score. Tre Claybourne had the lone interception for Green Bay that gave them late life.
With the win, Sioux Falls draws level with Quad City in the standings and for the time being, holds the conference record tiebreaker over the Steamwheelers (7-4 SXF, 6-4 QC). Green Bay drops back to an even 6-6 record, as the loss represents a significant blow to their playoff chances with just three games remaining.
This was the third and final game of the season series, and first to have been won by the home team. Green Bay had prevailed in Sioux Falls 47-41 in Week 5, and the Storm returned the favor at the Resch Center with a 55-47 win in Week 6. The Storm also improve their all-time record against Green Bay to a wild 23-2, including 14-1 at home.
On tap for next week, the Storm will visit the Eastern Conference leading Frisco Fighters on Saturday July 1 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. The Blizzard will be on the road to face the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday July 1 for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. Times listed are pacific daylight time. Click for our complete 2023 IFL Schedule.
6/23/23 --
SIOUX FALLS, SD - On Friday Night, the Green Bay Blizzard and Sioux Falls Storm met at Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls. Backed by a dominant run game that found the endzone seven times on the night, the Storm prevailed over their longtime rival and eked out a close win, 47-45.
Green Bay took the opening possession of the game and scored first, driving up the field and drawing first blod with a three-yard run by Terrence Smith. The extra point by Logan Justus was no good, which kept the score 6-0. Sioux Falls needed just three plays to get their counterpunch, provided by a two-yard rush from quarterback Lorenzo Brown. On the second possession for the Blizzard, Max Meylor fumbled on a scramble, and it was Sioux Falls linebacker James Brown providing the recovery against his former team from last season. The Storm would capitalize off that takeaway with a four-yard rush touchdown from Bryson Denley to up their lead to 14-6. That would hold as the score at the end of the first quarter.
With the ball to begin the second quarter, Meylor led the Blizzard to a score by taking a three-yard run into the endzone. Again, however, Justus was unsuccessful on the extra point attempt, keeping Green Bay behind by a pair. Sioux Falls struck upfield quickly and cashed in on its next possession with Brown's second rushing score of the game from four yards out. Green Bay could not get going on its next possession and was forced into a lengthy 60-yard field goal on fourth down, which Justus booted out-of-bounds down the right sideline, effectively serving as Sioux Falls' second defensive stand of the half. The Storm continued to dominate on the ground, with Brown collecting his third rushing score on a six-yard tote to expand his team's advantage to 27-12. It would take deep into the one-minute warning, but Green Bay would provide the game's first passing touchdown at that point, with Meylor connecting with Steven Newbold on a 16-yard toss to cut the Storm lead to 27-19. The Storm had just enough time to drive into Green Bay territory, but a last-second field goal attempt from Austin Neufeld was blocked by Green Bay to keep the score 27-19 at the midway mark.
Armed with an eight point lead and possession to start the second half, Sioux Falls picked up right where it left off - imposing its will with the run game - and on this occasion it was once again Lorenzo Brown finding the endzone for a fourth rushing touchdown (two yards). Green Bay, desperate to keep pace, got a response touchdown on a two-yard run from Meylor. Sioux Falls grinded their way back to a double-digit lead on a one-yard rush from Denley, his second of the game. That accounted for all the scoring through three quarters, as Sioux Falls carried a 41-26 lead entering the last 15 minutes.
The Blizzard wasted no time to pick up the touchdown, which came by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Meylor to Newbold on the first play of the quarter. Justus would miss a third extra point, notably keeping the Green Bay deficit at nine points. The next drive for Sioux Falls would require a pivotal conversion on 3rd-and-11, which the Storm were able to get, and Brown's fifth rushing score shortly after that restored the two-score advantage. Neufeld's missed extra point kept the Blizzard trailing by 15 with about nine minutes remaining in the game. Meylor found another chunk play for a touchdown, hurling a 28-yard dart to Marquise Irvin for the score to claw back to within eight. The Green Bay defense, looking all game long for some sort of spark, was finally able to deliver, intercepting a 3rd-and-11 pass attempt rom Brown. Tre Claybourne took the pickoff and returned it all the way to the Storm 16-yard line, setting the Blizzard up with an opportunity to tie the game late in regulation. On a drive that extended past the one-minute warning, the Storm defense initially stood strong, forcing the Blizzard to dip into its bank of timeouts. On 3rd-and-goal, Meylor tossed a pass to Irvin, who made a highlight-reel catch in ripping an underthrown ball away from a defender for the touchdown. The pivotal two-point conversion play came next, with Green Bay needing a successful conversion to tie the game up. Initially ruled as a completed pass to Newbold, Sioux Fall coach Kurtiss Riggs challenged the play, a decision that would pay in spades. Officials ruled that the ball hit the ground prior to Newbold gaining possession, nullifying the conversion and keeping the score 47-45. Shockingly, the Blizzard did not attempt an onside kick, with Justus booting the ball the length of the field. The Storm only needed to take the ball barely into the field of play, and from there the offense kneeled out the clock to clinch the close victory, 47-45.
Lorenzo Brown was efficient as a passer despite not having a touchdown pass, completing 13-of-15 attempts for 116 yards with just one interception. Brown did most of his damage as a rusher, turning 13 carries into 26 yards and five touchdowns. Bryson Denley, filling in for Xavier Jackson (Short-Term IR), took 12 carries for 49 yards and two touchdowns and hauled in three passes for 15 yards. Draysean Hudson (3/26) and Donnie Corley (3/25) each had three catches for the Storm as well, and James Brown came up with a pivotal fumble recovery in the early stages of the contest.
Max Meylor also went 13-of-15 passing for the Blizzard, accumulating 160 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions, but did have a lost fumble in the game. Meylor was also the team's leading rusher, on 11 carries for 59 yards and two touchdowns. Steven Newbold (4/47/2) and Marquise Irvin (3/41/2) each had a pair of receiving touchdowns, while Terrence Smith took 12 combined touches for 52 yards and a score. Tre Claybourne had the lone interception for Green Bay that gave them late life.
With the win, Sioux Falls draws level with Quad City in the standings and for the time being, holds the conference record tiebreaker over the Steamwheelers (7-4 SXF, 6-4 QC). Green Bay drops back to an even 6-6 record, as the loss represents a significant blow to their playoff chances with just three games remaining.
This was the third and final game of the season series, and first to have been won by the home team. Green Bay had prevailed in Sioux Falls 47-41 in Week 5, and the Storm returned the favor at the Resch Center with a 55-47 win in Week 6. The Storm also improve their all-time record against Green Bay to a wild 23-2, including 14-1 at home.
On tap for next week, the Storm will visit the Eastern Conference leading Frisco Fighters on Saturday July 1 with kickoff set for 5:05 p.m. The Blizzard will be on the road to face the Tulsa Oilers on Saturday July 1 for a 5:05 p.m. kickoff. 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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