ALTOONA, IA - The Des Moines Blaze moved to 2-1 on the young SPFL season with a 14-2 victory over their old Midwest Football Alliance foe, the Midwest Rampage Saturday night. Both now members of the SPFL, the Blaze and Rampage squared off in the first two MFA Championship Games in 2011 and 2012, with Des Moines scoring their first two of five consecutive league titles. The Rampage entered this game 2-0 after winning the 2018 SPFL title and going on a two-year hiatus. 

For the second week in a row, weather was a big factor. Rain and high winds grounded both passing games. The Blaze defense responded with their third stellar performance in as many weeks, allowing just six points this season, those to the defending league champion Sioux Empire Crusaders. The Rampages lone two points came on an errant second half punt snap resulting in a safety.

Offensively, Des Moines popped big runs on two consecutive first half possessions to jump out to a commanding lead. LaMar Sayles Jr. broke free for 48 yards, leading to a six-yard Sayles score two plays later. On the ensuing possession, a Jay Batiste cutback sprung him for a 38-yard touchdown. 

"It was a good win, considering the conditions," said Head Coach Tyrone Tyler. "One of these days, hopefully, we'll get some decent weather and be able to open things up a little offensively. But our defense has been lights out through three weeks."

The Blaze will be back in action this Saturday at the Spring Creek Sports Complex in Altoona when they host the Albert Lee Grizzlies. Kickoff is at 6 pm.