The Green Bay Blizzard (9-2) entertain their final regular-season home crowd this Friday, June 14th, when they face the Jacksonville Sharks (2-8). Kickoff at the Resch Center is scheduled for 7:05 PM CST. Friday marks the first time that the Sharks and the Blizzard will meet, as this is Jacksonville's inaugural season in the IFL.
The Blizzard come into this week's matchup as winners of their last five games, including last week's nail-biter against the Massachusetts Pirates. Green Bay got off to a slow start, but a kick return by
Andre Williams gave the Blizzard the boost they needed to get going. The game was close in its entirety, eventually going score-for-score and was decided by a 34-yard field goal by Green Bay kicker
Andrew Mevis with only five seconds remaining. The final seconds ticked off the clock on the ensuing kickoff, with the Blizzard on top 36-33.
The Sharks make their first-ever trip up to Green Bay after a home win over the Tulsa Oilers. Jacksonville trailed early but remained within striking distance. The Sharks smelled blood in the water in the second half and made their comeback. Jacksonville's defense only allowed Tulsa to score twice after the half, while they scored four times, including a two-yard rushing touchdown from RB Tyler King as time expired. The Sharks secured their second win of the season with a final score of 45-42.
For Green Bay to secure a playoff spot, they will need to stop quarterback Fred Peyton Jr. He is coming off a solid performance, where he threw for three touchdowns while adding two rushing scores. Peyton Jr. was also named the Week 8 IFL Offensive Player of the Week, helping the Sharks earn their first victory of the season. On special teams, the Blizzard will also have to prepare for Tyler King, a proven kick return threat. King has 344 return yards and two touchdowns this season. The Green Bay offense will need a good game plan to limit defensive back Jabari Gorman. Gorman has 55 tackles, while also forcing two fumbles, the team leader in both.
If Jacksonville wants to end the Blizzard win streak and make the trip back home victorious, they will first need to slow down quarterback
Max Meylor. He has 25 passing touchdowns this season and only four interceptions. Meylor has also added 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024. On top of keeping #7 out of the End Zone, the Sharks must also keep Green Bay out of field goal range as their kicker
Andrew Mevis was clutch, scoring 12 points, including the game-winning field goal in the Blizzard's win over Massachusetts. This earned him both Green Bay Blizzard Player of the Game and IFL Special Teams Player of the Week honors. Jacksonville will also have to keep an eye out for defensive back
Ravarius Rivers. Rivers had two interceptions last week and has four total on the year. His two picks, plus 12 total tackles and a blocked field goal, garnered league recognition as IFL Defensive Player of the Week.
Friday night is Military Appreciation Night! All past and present service men and women with a valid Military ID receive a free ticket to the game at the Resch Center Box Office. Friday night's festivities will kick off with a block party outside the Resch Center from 5 PM until 6 PM. The party will include games, inflatables, military vehicles on display as well as a free concert from AJ Kross! Then, the first 1,000 fans through the gates will receive a Military Pennant courtesy of several Blizzard partners and sponsors. When the gates open, be sure to make your way to the merch stand, where a purchase of a military football, military hat, or the Desert Vets military jersey, you will be entered to win a one-of-a-kind custom military-themed Skee Ball machine courtesy of BayTek Entertainment. Halftime will feature a few songs by AJ Kross, as well as the West De Pere drumline, followed by our Snowstorm Contest! Then, join us on the field post-game for the 5th Quarter, where you can get pictures, and autographs from our players and coaches!
Written By: Seth Kluck
