By Megan Carpenter, Staff Writer
The third time is a charm. That’s what the Reading Express and head coach Chris Thompson are hoping for as they head to Green Bay for the third time this season. The Express will face the Blizzard tonight in a situation unlike the previous two meetings – it’s the playoffs.
“No one expected us to be one of eight left,” Thompson says referring to how far the team has come in the playoffs. Despite overcoming challenges to make it this far, the team will face another challenge in Green Bay, a team they have already lost to twice during the regular season.
“We don’t mind being in the underdog position,” reveals Thompson about the team’s feelings going into tonight’s game. “We just have to protect the football,” he continues, “turnovers can make or break a game, a season.” Thompson is happy the Express has had the opportunity to play Green Bay already this season, having the opportunity to feel the team out in game play. He is thinking positively about tonight, “Hopefully we can go out there and prove some people wrong.”
Has the Express already proven people wrong? “I hope so,” says Thompson, believing that the team’s recent performance has changed the minds of doubters. Last weekend the Express won their first playoff game of the postseason against the Chicago Slaughter scoring 76 points, a franchise record for the most in a playoff game. According to Thompson, that win proved to the team just what they are capable of. He calls that game performance “by far one of the best overall team performances we’ve ever had.”
“Our confidence level has risen,” Thompson says referring to the team. He adds, “Our belief in our capability has risen.” Thompson believes that the team may have finally achieved the right mix of talent, including a variation of veterans and rookies, which could prove to be very successful continuing on into the postseason.
Game Details: Tonight's IFL Playoffs second-round game at the Resch Center in Green Bay kicksoff at 8:30 p.m. EST. Express fans can follow the action via a
Live PPV Webcast on America One, or through
Live Scoring on the official IFL Web site.
Photo from Green Bay Blizzard 
