Blizzard Lose Heartbreaker

2010-06-26 - Green Bay, WI: The Green Bay Blizzard’s first season in the Indoor Football League ended in the first round of the playoffs.  The Central North Division Champions dropped another close game to division rival Chicago 46-39.

Defense dominated the first quarter.  Jake Phillips got the starting nod at quarterback for the Blizzard, but Chicago held him to 23 yards passing on two completions in the quarter.  Chicago could only muster a field goal and led 3-0 at the end of one.

The Blizzard fell behind 9-0 at the beginning of the second quarter when Slaughter quarterback Tavares Woodley hit Reggie Gray for a 42 yard touchdown pass. The Blizzard countered by replacing Phillips with Willie Copeland at quarterback.  On his first play from scrimmage, Copeland handed off to Randy Bell for a five yard touchdown run.

Green Bay would score on a Tino Amancio field goal and a 25 yard touchdown pass from Copeland to Scott Burnoski to take a 17-15 lead into the half.

Phillip Brock ran for a three yard touchdown and Burnoski would haul in his second touchdown reception of the game in the third quarter. Woodley would respond by leading the Slaughter on two scoring drives and the game was tied 30-30 at the end of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was a wild one. The teams would trade touchdowns to remain tied with less than five minutes to play in the game. A bad snap by the Blizzard offense led to a safety for the Slaughter and a two point advantage.  The Blizzard defense would answer and tie the score at 39 when Slaughter quarterback Tavares Woodley would be tackled in the end zone for a safety.  The Blizzard offense would take possession after the safety, but Copeland’s pass on first down was intercepted by Sam Smith and returned 11 yards for a Slaughter touchdown.  The ensuing celebration penalties on the Slaughter would lead to great field position for the Blizzard offense for one final play.  Copeland’s pass attempt to Daniel Robinson in the back corner of the end zone fell incomplete and the Slaughter escaped with a 46-39 victory.

The Blizzard complete the 2010 season with a 10-5 record and a Central North Division championship. We thank all of our fans and sponsors for their support at Online Trading Academy Field in the Resch Center during the 2010 season.