The Iowa Barnstormers lost two offensive linemen midweek leading up to their matchup with the Green Bay Blizzard. They were left with just two offensive linemen to play in Saturday’s game, at least until B.J. Butler stepped up.
Butler, on Saturday, filled in at left guard for the Barnstormers, and at times played both ways in the 27-26 win.
B.J. Butler Works Both Sides for Iowa Barnstormers
“B.J. did great today,” offensive line captain Dangelo McCray said. “He stepped up to the plate. He gave us everything he had on both sides of the ball.”
The Barnstormers needed every bit of what Butler gave them in the one-point victory.
“It felt amazing,” Butler said. “I’ve been playing both positions my entire life. I look at myself as a utility guy. I come in and step up and do what I can do for my team.”
Butler, a former Louisville star, ended the game with two tackles and perhaps a more impressive two pass-blocks.
“Those two big blocks were game changing plays, because that gave us the momentum,” McCray said. “We came back out and got points on the board.”
The Barnstormers entered halftime with a 14-12 lead, but trailed 26-14 with 10:17 to play in the game.
“We pretty much had to finish the game strong,” McCray said. “We were struggling on offense the first three quarters.”
The Barnstormers scored on each of their next two drives, taking a one-point lead with one minute to go.
“The first touchdown just gave our team some momentum,” McCray said. “Then [DaeJohn] Love came through with the interception.”
The victory was the Barnstormers’ third straight, improving them to 4-2 on the season.
They will go for their third straight home victory this Saturday when they take on the Nebraska Danger at 7:00 p.m.
“Coach told me growing up, big time players make big time plays in big time games,” Butler said. “[Our team] made big time plays to win.”
Main Photo Credit: Connor Ferguson, Last Word on Sports
