Gameday Recap

FORCE ADVANCE TO CONFERENCE FINALS

By John Montgomery The Chicago Force have discovered a new secret weapon on offense. The Force (10-0) had one of the best offenses in the WFA scoring 425 points in the regular season with quarterback Sami Grisafe, running backs Melissa Smith and Brandy Hatcher, and wide receivers Jeanette Gray and Elizabeth Strozinsky. Now, head coach John Konecki has added defensive lineman Arteria Ziegler. Ziegler scored four touchdowns and rushed for 139 yards to lead the Force into the National conference finals after a 67-14 win over the Jacksonville Dixie Blues(9-1).

"She has played a lot of different spots for us," head coach John Konecki said after the win. "We put her in at tailback and she did a nice job in practice. We knew one of our backs (Brandy Hatcher) was going to be away this week. The goal was to rest Melissa (Smith) and we knew we could. What I like now is we have four legitimate tailbacks." "I was excited but I took the defensive mindset to offense," Ziegler said after winning offensive MVP honors in her first start. "I wasn't nervous. I trust my line and run behind them. They make the blocks for me." Ziegler grew up in football-crazy Texas and joined the Chicago Force in 2010 playing defensive and offensive line. According to Konecki, Ziegler earned her playing time on offense by performing well in practice.

"Ziggy (Arteria) did a great job," quarterback Sami Grisafe said. "She came in and played her heart out. She really works hard. We're lucky to have her. She had a great performance today." The Force won despite playing without Hatcher and Gray as Ziegler scored three touchdowns in the second half to put the game out of reach after Chicago built a 40-0 advantage in the first 30 minutes of football. Grisafe had two touchdown passes in the first half while Mary Choules rushed for 162 yards and two touchdowns in the win.

"We knew they have been impossible to stop (on offense) all year long," Jacksonville head coach Don Braddock said. We thought we might be able to score with them. We don't pass the ball well. They were really effective on defense. They have a good team."

The Force will face the Boston Militia(10-0) in the conference finals on Saturday, July 21 at 7 pm in Evanston, IL. The winner advances to the WFA championship game in Pittsburgh at Heinz Field on Saturday, August 4. The title game will be televised on ESPN. The Militia is the defending champion.

The Force jumped out to a 24-0 lead in the opening quarter despite a fumble by Choules on the initial drive. Chicago scored on three straight series after the miscue by Choules. Grisafe threw touchdown passes to Albi Zhubi and Trish Harper. Smith closed out the first quarter scoring on a one-yard run.

One impressed spectator was Cubs co-owner Laura Ricketts. Ricketts did the ceremonial coin toss before the playoff game. "I was very impressed with the organization," Ricketts stated. "It's exciting to be here and I have known about the Chicago Force but my schedule hasn't allowed me to be here. it's exciting to be here when they are playing well."

Maybe Ricketts can help the championship drought of the Force. Grisafe had another big night completing 9-of-17 passes for 163 yards. Now, the Force will prepare to play Boston. Boston beat Chicago last season in the playoffs 50-23.

"We have to bring our 'A' game," Grisafe admitted. "They have obviously been the focus of our team when you look at the schedule," Konecki said after the win. "We thought at some point in time we would play Boston."

That game might actually be determined on defense with two high- powered offenses on the same field. The Force had five shutouts during the regular season. Ziegler did a fine job on defense for the Force in her second season.

Ziegler explained the team's success on defense under first-year defensive coordinator Adam Lewandowski. "Everybody trusts everybody," Ziegler said. "Everybody knows their responsibility. You have to trust the player next to you. We are a band of sisters." The defensive MVP was awarded to 2 players - Candace Griffin and Ashley Berggren. Berggren had 5 tackles for a loss and a sack, and Griffin had 5 tackles and a fumble recovery in solid play on defense and special teams.

Chicago will face its toughest test against Boston in two weeks at Lazier Field in Evanston. Kickoff is at 7pm.


See this game's coverage in the Windy City Times!
Chicago Force win big in playoffs