Game Info
Matchup: Green Bay Blizzard (2-11) at Iowa Barnstormers (8-2)
Arena: Wells Fargo Arena (15,110)
Location: Des Moines, IA
Kickoff: 7:05 p.m. CT
TV: Mediacom Channel 22
TV Commentators: Larry Morgan (PxP) and Brent Bruns (Color)
Radio: 1040am WHO
Radio Commentators: Joe Stasi (PxP) and Larry Cotlar (Color)
The Fourth Time’s the Charm for Iowa Barnstormers against Green Bay
The Iowa Barnstormers are fresh off a 50-47 win over Wichita Falls (9-3) and are in the driver’s seat headed to the playoffs. In their first game coming off the big win, Iowa will face the Green Bay Blizzard (2-11).
Not too hard, right?
Wrong.
The two teams will square off Friday Night at Wells Fargo Arena for their fourth and final game of the season, and it’s expected to be close.
In each of the past two games against the Blizzard, the Barnstormers needed a touchdown in the final minute of regulation to earn victories.
“They’re a big threat,” Barnstormers coach Dixie Wooten said. “When you play somebody four times, they know everything you want to do to them. They know what type of players you have.”
The Blizzard will be trying to avoid a sweep, as the Barnstormers have closed out each of the past three games against Green Bay.
“They are going to come in here focused because no one wants to get swept,” Wooten said. “We have to treat them like they are the number one team in the league.”
Although Green Bay is 2-11, the Blizzard have put up fights against top teams in the league.
The team took Spokane (7-5), Arizona (8-4), and Sioux Falls (11-1) to one possession games during the season so far. That’s not to mention the close games that Green Bay has had against Iowa.
However, not being able to close out the close games has come back to bite the Blizzard. They will come into Des Moines this week on a nine-game losing streak.
“We just worry about the next game,” Wooten said. “Beating Wichita was a big win because it was the next game. Now we’re on to Green Bay. We’re treating Green Bay like they’re undefeated.”
That’s what the Barnstormers have been doing each game this season, and it has paid off in the win column.
Iowa’s Playoff Push
“Having Wichita Falls and Sioux Falls in your Conference, every game is huge,” quarterback Travis Partridge said.
In fact, having the two teams in the same conference was so big for the Barnstormers, that 10-2 puts them only one game ahead of elimination.
However, after the win last week, things are looking good for Iowa.
“As big a win as that was last week, if we lose this one, you might as well throw that one out the window,” Partridge said.
Playoff Picture
| Indoor Football League Standings | ||||
| United Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Sioux Falls | 11-1 | ||
| 2 | Iowa | 10-2 | 1 | |
| 3 | Wichita Falls | 9-3 | 2 | |
| 4 | Green Bay – e | 2-11 | 9.5 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids – e | 1-12 | 10.5 | |
| Intense Conference | ||||
| Position | Team | Record | GB | |
| 1 | Arizona | 8-4 | ||
| 2 | Nebraska | 7-5 | 1 | |
| 3 | Arizona | 7-5 | 1 | |
| 4 | Salt Lake | 3-9 | 5 | |
| 5 | Colorado | 3-9 | 5 | |
e – Eliminated from the playoffs.
x – Clinched playoff spot.
y – Clinched conference.
z – Clinched home field advantage through playoffs.
Week 15 Schedule
Friday, May 26
Green Bay Blizzard at Iowa Barnstormers | 7:05 p.m.
Colorado Crush at Spokane Empire | 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 27
Wichita Falls Nighthawks at Sioux Falls Storm | 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, May 28
Nebraska Danger at Arizona Rattlers | 5:00 p.m.
Monday, May 29
Cedar Rapids Titans at Salt Lake Screaming Eagles | 8:00 p.m.
Main Photo Credit: Connor Ferguson, Last Word on Sports
