Gameday Recap

FORCE WINS PLAYOFF OPENER

By John Montgomery The Chicago Force(9-0) won its WFA playoff opener on Saturday night 70-14 over the Indianapolis Crash (6-4). The Force put on another impressive offensive display as Sami Grisafe threw for 400 yards and four touchdown passes, and rookie Mary Choules rushed for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

"I thought we had the pedal to the metal," said Force head coach John Konecki of the game at Evanston High School. We were firing on all cylinders. A lot of players made big plays tonight."

"It's a little bit of a weight off of our shoulders," admitted Choules who has rushed for a total 308 yards and four touchdowns in her rookie season. "At the same time, we have to pick it up and bring it for the next game. There's no time for slacking. It's only going to get harder."

The Force scored on its first six possessions to build a 47-8 lead at halftime. Grisafe had two touchdown passes in the opening half while Smith scored three times before being given the evening off. The defense limited the Crash to only 15 yards rushing. Brenda VanCuick was named defensive game day MVP, she led the defense with 10 tackles, five for a loss.

Choules came to the Force after spending most of her athletic career in gymnastics. Choules attended Mahomet-Seymour High School and the University of Illinois. Choules scored on a 30-yard run in the opening quarter and added a one-yard run in the third quarter. Chicago started fast again jumping out to a 23-0 lead.

"I've said from day one that Mary is going to be a player," Konecki said after the win. "I knew she was going to be somebody who was going to contribute." "I've had a blast (in my first season)," Choules said after being named the game's MVP on offense. "I love the girls. I couldn't ask for a better group of people to be around."

Is this the year the Force win that elusive championship? The next chapter is Saturday night 7/7 when Chicago takes on the Jacksonville Dixie Blues in the 3rd round of playoffs at Evanston High School. Kickoff is at 7pm.