Game Recap: Green Bay Blizzard vs San Antonio Gunslingers
Welcome to Week 12! The Green Bay Blizzard (8-1) played host to current Western Conference #4 seed, the Gunslingers of San Antonio (3-5). While the Cheeseheads usually play next door at historic Lambeau Field, tonight was Dairy Night at Freeze Field. While the Gunslingers were coming into the night on back-to-back losses, the Blizzard looked to "MOO'V" their current 5-game winning streak ahead. Get ready to unpack the action, and I promise not to be too cheesy with my dairy references.
The Gunslingers would begin with a well-cultivated field position as they had an excellent return on the opening kickoff. San Antonio would score quickly on a pass from QB Fred Payton Jr to WR Austin Upshaw. The Blizzard would respond by churning out 35 yards on the ground over their first few plays and the drive would conclude on a passing touchdown from QB Liam Thompson to WR Trevon Alexander. However, the Gunslingers were not holstering their offense, as they immediately answered with a touchdown pass from Payton Jr to WR Deon Cook. On the second drive for the Blizzard, the Gunslingers defense looked "udderly" lost as RB Kairee Robinson ripped off an 18-yard rushing touchdown. The extra point would be missed, leaving San Antonio ahead by one. The Gunslingers hoped to continue to apply pressure, but late into their next drive, RB KJ Smith would cough up the ball, and DB Marcus Hillman would recover for Green Bay as time expired in the first quarter. San Antonio led 14-13.
Green Bay capitalized on another connection from Thompson to Alexander, and the point after would fail again. The following Gunslingers possession would stall on 4th down when DL Tevaughn Grant sacked Payton Jr. The Blizzard would keep their offensive prowess on full tilt as they found the endzone again, this time on a connection from Thompson to WR Sylvere Campbell; the extra point was unsuccessful yet again. The fumble and 4th down stop proved to be huge moo-mentum swings as it allowed Green Bay to not only tie the game, but take a lead. San Antonio would find their footing on offense again as they would find the endzone again as WR Glen Gibbons would come down with the pass. With just 15 seconds left on the clock, the Blizzard attempted to get decent field position to attempt a field goal. However, the attempt would fall short. At the end of the half, Green Bay would now lead, 25-21.
The Blizzard came out hot in the second half. Robinson was out buttering up the defense as he ran in his second score, this time from 21-yards out. The Gunslingers would continue to stay in the game, despite their hiccups offensively in the first half. San Antonio responded on a dink-and-dunk sequence where Gibbons would haul in his second passing touchdown of the game. But the Gunslingers had no answer defensively, as the Blizzard offense continued to churn out scoring possessions. Thompson would dash his way into the endzone to extend the Blizzard lead again. The Blizzard defense, however, was legen-DAIRY as DB Najei Snyder intercepted a pass. The Blizzard offense continued to herd its way down the field and hit a fourth goal situation as the third quarter came to an end. Green Bay was in front 39-28.
The first play of the final quarter Robinson would punch his way across pay dirt for his third rushing touchdown. Another udderly dominant play was made as DB Franky West Jr intercepted the ball on the first play of the next San Antonio drive. In just a few plays, Robinson would graze the endzone for his fourth rushing touchdown of the evening. San Antonio just had zero responses left, as Payton Jr was sacked by DL Jonathan Ross on 4th and 25, turning the ball over for the third straight possession, and fifth time in the game. For a couple of good measure opportunities, Blizzard QB Cole Stenstrom would enter on the next drive and would connect with Robinson for a touchdown, and K Andrew Mevis would drill the deuce. Conceding defeat, the Gunslingers would milk the remainder of the game clock. No cow-culations were needed. The final score was San Antonio 28, Green Bay 62.
While the first half looked to be a barn-burner, the Gunslingers would lose their 3rd straight and fall to 3-6. They travel to Jacksonville to take on the Sharks next week. Meanwhile, Green Bay continues its winning ways, extending their current win streak to 6 and improving to a league-best, 9-1. The Blizzard travel to Moline, IL to take on the Quad City Steamwheelers for the third time this season. Green Bay's only loss on the campaign was on the road at Quad City back in week 5. The Blizzard did defeat Quad City by 25 back in week 9 and have a current season split on the series. Catch the next game on overnght.com or join the Blizzard staff at the away game watch party. More details will be posted in the coming days.
Written by: Tyler Klackner
