ALTOONA, IA - The Des Moines Blaze (8-1) won their eighth straight contest Saturday in a 40-0 first round playoff defeat of the visiting North Iowa Bucks. The Blaze bested the Bucks in the regular season finale, 41-0. 

The stifling Blaze defense and LaMar Sayles Jr.'s two rushing touchdowns told the story of a14-0 first half. The D really got going in the third quarter. Dwine Rankins intercepted a Brian Criff pass and weaved 36 yards for the score. On the ensuing possession it was Chris Reeves who took an interception back to the Buck two yard line, resulting in a Jeremy Batiste rushing touchdown. 

The fourth quarter hit on the quarterback would float a pass into the lap of defensive end Tyler Palmer, who would return it for a score. Reeves would pick up his second interception before Dallas Groom capped the scoring with a seven-yard touchdown run. 

"We're still improving in certain areas, cleaning up penalties, and preaching fundamentals," said Blaze Head Coach Tyrone Tyler. "This wasn't our cleanest game and we know the competition gets better every week in the post season."

Des Moines hosts the Med City Freeze (7-2) in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final this Saturday at the Spring Creek Sports Complex in Altoona. The Blaze defeated Med City 32-8 in the regular season. The winner advances to the SPFL Championship.