The #1 seeded Green Bay Blizzard (14-3) hosts the #3 seeded Massachusetts Pirates (9-8) in the 2024 IFL Playoffs Eastern Conference Championship game this Friday, August 2nd. Kickoff at the Resch Center is scheduled for 7:05 PM CST. 

Green Bay comes into the Eastern Conference Championship off a win over the Quad City Steamwheelers last Friday in front of nearly 6,000 fans at the Resch Center! Both teams started slowly, driving deep into opposing territory but ending their possessions without points. A turnover on downs by Quad City and a missed field goal by the Blizzard left the game scoreless after the first quarter. Green Bay started the scoring off with a field goal early in the second quarter, then a touchdown from running back EJ Burgess Jr. a few minutes later. Both teams would add a field goal, and the Blizzard would take a 13-3 lead into the break. In the 3rd quarter, Burgess would score his second touchdown of the game, and the Steamwheelers would respond with a touchdown, which sent Green Bay into the fourth with a 10-point lead. However, the Blizzard would score twice in the fourth, thanks to touchdowns from Demetrius Moore and Lowell Patron Jr, as well as a timely interception by DB Ravarius Rivers. While Quad City matched the scores, they could not close the gap, giving Green Bay the 34-23 victory. 

Massachusetts comes into the matchup after pulling off an upset win over the Frisco Fighters last Saturday. In a slugfest between two Eastern Conference powerhouses, with 12 minutes left in the fourth quarter, Frisco boasted a 50-36 lead with their sights set on the Eastern Conference Championship. But the Pirates had other plans. They converted on two Alejandro Bennefield-to-Thomas Owens touchdowns, two deuces from former Blizzard kicker Henry Nell, and holding Frisco to a four-and-out between late-game scoring drives. The Pirates escape Texas with a 53-50 win. 

This is the third time the Blizzard and Pirates will meet this season. The first matchup was Week 1 of the IFL season when Massachusetts made the journey to Green Bay. The Blizzard led most of the game, at one time by as many as 18 points in the third quarter. Then, the Pirates scored three straight times while keeping Green Bay off the board. Massachusetts scored with 15 seconds left, taking their first lead of the game and giving them the 44-40 win. The second matchup was on June 8th, when the Pirates hosted the Blizzard. Massachusetts started the scoring and held a 12-point lead in the second quarter. A Green Bay kickoff return for a touchdown by Andre Williams flipped momentum, leading to another Blizzard touchdown late in the second to take the lead and an early third-quarter 8-point lead. The Pirates answered with back-to-back scores, missing both extra points to retake the lead. Both teams scored again, but with five seconds remaining and the score tied, Green Bay kicker Andrew Mevis nailed a clutch 29-yard field goal to give the Blizzard the win, 36-33. 

If Green Bay wants to advance to its first IFL Championship Game, stopping quarterback Alejandro Bennefield is paramount. Bennefield, in the Week 1 matchup against the Blizzard, had six touchdowns which earned him IFL Offensive Player of the Week. Also, Green Bay will have to corral running back Jimmie Robinson. Robinson is a threat both as a back and a kick returner, as he leads the IFL in rushing yards (999), is tied for third in the IFL in rushing touchdowns (29), and is fourth in return yards (936). Slowing down these two offensive threats will give Green Bay their best chance of advancing. The Blizzard offense will have to be efficient against the Pirates' defense, as they are third in the IFL in both fewest points allowed (666) and lowest average points per game (40.4).

If Massachusetts wants to head to Las Vegas for a chance to win it all, they will first need to tame quarterback Max Meylor. Meylor has 69 total touchdowns this season and is tied for third in the IFL in rushing touchdowns (29). The Pirates will also have to slow down running back EJ Burgess Jr. Burgess has seven touchdowns in the last four weeks, including three against the Tulsa Oilers in Week 16, which earned him Blizzard Player of the Game. Massachusetts' offense has to be precise against the Green Bay defense. The Blizzard defense ended the regular season ranked #1 in numerous different categories as well as only allowing 23 points to the Steamwheelers a week ago. A large part of the dominant Green Bay defense is defensive back Ravarius Rivers. Rivers is an IFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate who leads the league in interceptions (9) and is third in the league in tackles (100). He had 7.5 tackles and his ninth interception of the season last week, which earned him Blizzard Player of the Game. 

The winner of this matchup will advance to the IFL Championship on Saturday, August 17th, and square off against the winner of the Western Conference Championship game between the Arizona Wranglers (11-5) and the San Diego Strike Force (11-6). 

Friday night is sure to be filled with excitement! The gates open at 6:05 PM CST, then be on the lookout for food and drink specials. There will be half-priced tap Budweiser products as well as footlong hotdogs. After the first quarter, one lucky fan will be selected to win a one-of-a-kind Blizzard One More themed SkeeBall Deluxe courtesy of our friends from BayTek. Be sure to get your tickets here, fill the Resch Center, and BE LOUD! 

Written By: Seth Kluck