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The Green Bay Blizzard (12-6) had to travel to Moline, Illinois to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers (12-6) in a heavyweight showdown in the Eastern Conference Finals with a trip to Tuscon, Arizona & the IFL Championship Game at stake.
Green Bay jumped out to an early 16-7 first quarter lead, but by the time halftime rolled around, Quad City had rallied and made it a 37-34 Blizzard lead heading into the break.
Quad City came out of the gate fast to start the second half, needing just two plays to take their first lead of the game at 41-37, moments later 43-37 after Steamwheelers kicker Kyle Kaplan hit the deuce. Almost immediately after Green Bay regained the lead at 44-43, Quad City scored again – aided by Green Bay penalties – to take a 50-44 lead.
With 15 minutes remaining in the game, the Blizzard responded by taking a 69-56 lead in the fourth quarter. However, a dramatic finish was in store. Quad City cut the Green Bay lead to 69-64, but Green Bay wasn’t able to respond with a penalty riddled drive that led to a missed field goal. With under a minute remaining, Quad City had the ball with a chance to take the lead, but a long play was called back due to a penalty & then Quad City was called for a holding penalty in the end zone, which resulted in a safety giving Green Bay a 71-64 lead.
The Steamwheelers were forced to go with an onside kick & after an official review, the ball did not go 10 yards, giving the possession arrow to the Blizzard & Green Bay was able to run out the clock giving them the Eastern Conference Championship.
The Blizzard (12-6) will be traveling to Tuscon, Arizona to take on the Vegas Knighthawks (12-6) in the IFL Championship game on Saturday, August 23rd. Kickoff in Tuscon will be at 9:30 PM CST. Green Bay will attempt to bring home their first IFL Championship to Title Town.
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