Gameday Recap

Contact: George Howe,
Media Relations (773) 368-4848

Playoffs, Here We Come

Kansas City, MO. There was no post game celebration. Nor claim to a division title. In less than three hours last Saturday afternoon, a chance for a perfect 8-0 regular season record went by the wayside. The Force traveled to Kansas City June 5 for the highly anticipated rematch with the Tribe. Chicago took game one 14-12 with timely offense and solid defensive play. It was a completely different story this time, as sloppy play, missed opportunities, and defensive breakdowns, allowed the Tribe to dominate 30-12.

Temperatures hovered in the 90's for the game that would decide the playoff fate of both teams. Chicago could secure home field advantage for the first round of playoffs with a win. A loss would either put the Force on the road or possibly out of the playoffs entirely. KC's only playoff hope was not just to win, but to win by enough points to overtake Chicago in the overall rankings. Despite losing, Chicago still secured the wild card spot as a result of their previous win over KC and a better overall record.

The Force jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first quarter when Kim Marks blocked a Tribe punt and Alisha Brennon scooped it up and ran it in for a touchdown. The PAT by Carolyn Lee was good, but Chicago was flagged for a mouthpiece violation ... a rarely-called offense. It was the first in a series of questionable calls by the officiating crew. The re-kick failed and Chicago led 6-0. KC answered immediately with a 37 yard touchdown run on a trick play. The Tribe offense quick-snapped and the Force defense - confused by an official's whistle - never got into position. KC converted the PAT to go up 7-6.

Chicago QB Sami Grisafe then fumbled on the first play of the next possession and KC quickly turned that opportunity into another touchdown. The Tribe also added a field goal at the end of the 2nd quarter to go into halftime with a 16-6 lead.

The second half featured more Force turnovers - 2 INT's and two more fumbles - helping to derail an offense that was already struggling to score. Meanwhile KC added 2 more touchdowns as the Force defense missed tackles and blew pass coverage. The Chicago special teams played a part in the other Force score when they partially blocked another punt in the 4th quarter, which was again corralled by Brennon and returned to the KC 10 yard line. Two plays later RB Darcy Leslie burst in from 7 yards out to give the Chicago offense it's only score of the day. Final score Chicago 12 - KC 30.

Head Coach John Konecki, while relieved to make the playoffs, was clearly frustrated with the lack of execution from his team. "We cannot make a run in the playoffs if we continue to turn the ball over and fail to execute. In football, the team who wants it more usually wins. When we play in Dallas next Saturday, that better be us."

The Force must now travel to Texas to take on the higher-seeded Dallas Diamonds on June 12 at 7 pm.