Monday, September 9, 2024
By Justin Buchanan
Contributing Writer
GREEN BAY – On Friday, July 26, the Green Bay Blizzards, #1 seed in the conference faced off against the Quad City SteamWheelers, #4 seed in the conference, at the Resch Center Arena. This is the 21st season of the Green Bay Blizzards organization and for the first time they were able to host a playoff game at home. All of the Green Bay community came out to support them on their playoff run as they fought their way to the championship, which will be played in Las Vegas. The energy in the arena was filled with life as all of the stand’s were filled with guests and fans cheering them on.
The QC SteemWheelers began the game with possession. They began with some momentum, driving the ball all the way down the field only to come short of the touchdown. Since the momentum was on their side they went for it all on fourth and short but were denied by the Blizzards Defensive Back Nijul Canada, who had a great game, making crucial plays all throughout the day.
As the game continued, there were back and forth missed field goal attempts by each team leaving the score at 0-0 to end the first quarter.
As the second quarter began the Green Bay Blizzards were set up in range to kick another field goal. Kicker Andrew Mevis came back out to try for another attempt. This one was good from 32 yards out giving them the first points on the board, making the score 3-0.
The QC SteamWheelers received the ball back and in less than three plays through an interception to the Green Bay Blizzards defensive back, Shawn Steele II. Giving all the momentum to the Blizzards, they came out on offense and trucking their way all the way into the endzone. E.J Burgess ran for a 15 yard touchdown, making this his 17th touchdown of the season. The Blizzards went for a field goal making the score 10-0 with Green Bay having the lead.
After this The QC SteemWheeler’s knew that they had to put some points on the board in order to stay in the game. They began to move the ball down field slowly picking up small gains of fives, making their way down the field and into field goal range. Eventually having to settle for a field goal, bringing out their kicker Kyle Kaplan to shoot a field goal from the 16 yard line. Making the field goal, Kaplan finally put the QC SteemWheeler on the board, making the score 10-3.
Having the score advantage, the Blizzard were in no rush to run a play getting the clock down to a minute before they settled for another field goal. This kick was about the same distance as the last, being about 32 yards out, Andrew Mevis sinked the field goal, making the score now 13-3.
Before the second quarter ended, the SteemWheelers wanted to put more points on the board, driving themselves all the way to the redzone. Only to come short by missing a field goal from inside the 15. Ending the second quarter with the score remaining 13-3.
The Green Bay Blizzard received the ball in the beginning of the second half, wanting to put this game out of reach they moved down the field, to try and put more points on the board. They were stopped short and had to settle for a 21 yard field goal. Mevis came on the field for the fourth attempt of the game, sinking his third shot of the day.
The SteemWheelers weren’t going to let this game get out of reach, they came out on fire. Connecting on both the running and passing game, they quickly made their way down the field, to finish with a rushing touchdown by Edward Vander. Making the game only a three point game, putting the game back in reach with a score of 13-10.
After this, both teams officially became on fire, moving the ball with efficiency. Not slowing down, The Green Bay Blizzard went out to the field and connected in the passing game, throwing to Demetrius Moore as the primary target all night. They moved all the way down to the field to finish with another rushing touchdown by E.J Burgess, now having two for the night. Making the score now 20-10.
This was only the beginning of the scoring streak they went on, but before this happened the SteemWheelers didn’t give up easily, launching the ball down the field, connecting with a huge throw putting them in the red zone.
With the fourth quarter beginning, the SteamWheelers scored putting all of their effort into a QB sneak to put them back into a one possession reach, taking the score to 20-17.
The game began to become one sided after this with the Blizzard, going back to their passing game. There was no stopping them, the QB Max Meylor was on fire racking up over two hundred yards. He threw another touchdown to Demetrius Moore, putting the game back into a two possession game but they didn’t stop there. The defense went out and stopped the SteemWheelers, forcing them to throw an interception to Blizzard defense back Ravarius River. Soon after, they went back on the field with three minutes left on the clock and got themselves down the field with ease by having QB Max Meylor throw a deep ball to Lowell Patron Jr. for a closing touchdown, putting the game out of reach for an ending total of 37-20.
The Green Bay Blizzards won the game, marking their first playoff win since 2012, moving on in the playoffs to play their next game against the Massachusetts Pirates at the Resch Center Arena. The tickets are on sale for $13 per ticket for fans to go out and support the Green Bay Blizzards as they play in the Eastern Conference Championship.
