Gameday Recap

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Force Clinch Division Title

Chicago, IL.Saturday afternoon’s contest at Holmgren Athletic Complex featured two undefeated 6-0 teams. Bragging rights and post season positioning were at stake. The Force, coming off a confidence building win over the Iowa Crush one week earlier, rode that wave to a convincing 40-0 thrashing of the Clarksville Fox that clinched the division title for Chicago.

The Force kicked off and established their defensive domination on Clarksville’s first possession. Crisp tackling by S Linda Bache, DE Amanda Malsch, and a crunching hit by LB Darcy Leslie set the tone that the Fox had no answer for. The Force didn’t waste any time when they touched the ball for the first time at the Fox 42 yard line. RB sensation Melissa Smith, who the Fox defense found out in a hurry that one player can’t bring her down, ran the ball 4 straight times highlighted by a 28 yard sweeping run from the left side, that proved to be the winning score. Carolyn Lee who has been almost perfect since taking over the extra point duties two weeks ago, made the score 7-0. Lee followed with a kick off deep into Fox territory at their 10 yard line. Swarming defense by LB’s Jessica McPeake, Tricia Charbonneau, Leslie, and Bache, resulted in four and out. Smith, named game day MVP, ran the ball on three consecutive calls, and bulldozed her way through from 1 yard out for her second TD on the day. All told, Smith finished with 89 yards on 14 carries. Lee made the score 14-0 with just under 6 minutes to go in the first quarter.

QB Sami Grisafe who seems to be finding her rhythm, made the score 20-0 when she made a great fake inside that froze the Fox defense. Allowing her to roll out right and hit a wide-open TE Kim Marks in the end zone. Bache, named defensive game day MVP, got her first of two interceptions on the day, at the Force 28. Two big pass completions from Grisafe to WR Brandi Srda of 30 and 21 yards, set up a beautiful 21 yard TD strike to WR Albi Zhubi to make the score 28-0 at halftime. Fullback Bridget Fahrner got into the scoring column at 6:13 of the third after 4 straight runs of 9, 13, 5 and right up the middle from two yards out thanks to a good block by offensive guard Keesha Brooks. The final tally of the game was one for the highlight reel. With 2:38 to go and the Fox pinned back in their zone, McPeake despite a broken finger, blocked the punt attempt at the three. Leslie picked it up and dove into the end zone to the delight of the screaming capacity home crowd. “I wasn’t thinking about the injury, explained McPeake. “I just try to go hard on every play. I was fortunate to get my hand on the ball.”

It’s no secret if you have followed the Force the last couple of games that the offense has been impressive racking up 96 points. Their execution and confidence is evident, a good sign heading into the postseason with one home game remaining against the Wisconsin Warriors on June 14. “We have certainly picked up the pace the last two games”, said Bache. “We have a lot of talent, and should continue to improve. I expect good things.”

The Chicago Force finish out their regular season June 14th at Home against the Wisconsin Wolves. Game time is 3pm.