The Green Bay Blizzard (2-1) host the Sioux Falls Storm (0-3) in a Week 6 IFL Eastern Conference matchup this Friday, April 19th. Kickoff at the Resch Center is at 6:05 PM CST.
Green Bay is coming into the matchup after a bye week. The Blizzard faced off against the Quad City Steamwheelers two weeks ago in Moline, IL.. Green Bay took a first-quarter lead against the Steamwheelers and would hold on to it for the rest of the game. Quad City made it a close game, but starting quarterback
Skyler Perry would ice the game with a touchdown run with less than 2 minutes left, with a final score of 32-24.
Sioux Falls is heading into the matchup with the Blizzard after a home loss at the hands of the Tulsa Oilers. The Storm were behind for most of the game, after gaining and relinquishing a first-quarter lead. Sioux Falls trailed by as many as 20 and would bring it within a two-score game, but the margin was too much for the Storm to overcome, losing 56-40.
The Blizzard and the Storm are no strangers to each other, having faced off 28 as members of the IFL. Sioux Falls has dominated Green Bay with an overall record of 26-2. While the series record heavily favors the Storm, things are starting to look up for the Blizzard. Under Coach Roberson, Green Bay earned their first-ever win against Sioux Falls in 2022 and their first road win against the Storm last season. Last year, these two teams matched up three times, with the margin of victory being a single score in each contest. Green Bay won the first matchup by six points and Sioux Falls won the final two by eight and two points respectively.
For Sioux Falls to be victorious, they will need to try to stop quarterback
Skyler Perry. Perry had 3 total touchdowns in his first IFL start, which earned him Green Bay Blizzard Player of the Week. Sioux Falls also has to watch out for a two-headed monster at quarterback with Perry and
Max Meylor possibly sharing time. The Storm will have to contain running back
Jalyn Cagle, who had 2 rushing touchdowns against Quad City and is also a proven kick return threat. On the defensive side, the Storm will need to stop defensive lineman
Scean Mustin who had 4.5 tackles and two sacks in Green Bay's last game.
In order for Green Bay to come out of this matchup on top, they will need to slow down the Sioux Falls' rushing attack. Quarterback Billy Hall and running backs KeShawn Williams and Xavier Jackson combined for 99 yards and 4 rushing touchdowns in the Storm's loss to Tulsa. On defense, the Blizzard will have to stand tall against linebacker Amin Black, who has 24 tackles and is second in the IFL in tackles this season. Green Bay's offensive line will also have to be stout in blocking defensive linemen Claude Davis and former Blizzard lineman Dajon Emory who have combined for 12 tackles with five of them being tackles for a loss.
This Friday is Kids Night! Kids 12 and under get in free with a purchase of a regularly-priced adult ticket in the Frostbite, Snowbank or Snowdrift sections! Then at Halftime, area cheer athletes from Green Bay Fusion will perform. Our annual Dash-for-Cash will follow, where local educators compete to collect fundraising dollars for their schools! The evening will conclude with our annual indoor laser light show and the ever-popular 5th Quarter! Bring your family out for a great game and an evening of entertainment!
Written By: Seth Kluck
