Gameday Recap

FORCE ADVANCES TO WFA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

By John Montgomery

Can the Chicago Force finally win that elusive championship? Will the third time be the charm?

The Force (11-0) won its third conference title in team history with a 46-27 win over the Boston Militia (10-1) on Saturday night at Lazier Field.

“It’s amazing to be in the championship game again,” Head coach John Konecki said. “It was a team win. We fought through some really tough conditions and got the win. I’m just proud of how they battled.”

Both teams had to deal with a 30-minute lightning delay in the fourth quarter with the Force leading 39-27. When play was resumed, both teams had to endure a steady rainfall making the ball slippery.

Jessica Javelet led the Force who earned a berth in the championship game scheduled for San Diego. Javelet changed jobs and decided to play for Chicago after helping the San Diego Surge win the title last year over the Chicago Force at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.

“I don’t think I have ever been part of this in sports,” Javelet admitted. “The Force is so organized. It has been an amazing pleasure to play for this team.”

Javelet may have been the best free agent pickup in football since Joe Montana or Peyton Manning. Javelet scored nine touchdowns this season. Javelet had an outstanding performance in the conference final by rushing for 183 yards and three touchdowns.

Javelet began her night with a 90-yard run in the opening quarter.

Javelet added two more touchdowns in the first half while the defense limited Boston’s Whitney Zelee to only 13 yards on eight carries and added five quarterback sacks. The Force finished the first half with a 26-0 advantage as Ashley Berggren caught a 20-yard touchdown pass to end the second quarter.

Last year, the Force nearly blew a 35-14 lead before prevailing 35-34.

Boston would rally again behind Zelee who scored three touchdowns to close Chicago’s lead to 36-27 when the sky would erupt with lightning.

Play resumed and the Force punched their ticket to San Diego as Jennifer Dulski recovered a fumble in the end zone with five minutes left. Dulski had ten tackles and a sack and was named the defensive game day MVP for her efforts.

“I take a lot of the blame for last year,” Konecki said after the win. “I went conservative in the second half. This year, the message was no letdowns...”

Zelee finished with 220 yards on 26 carries and ended the season with 43 rushing touchdowns.

The Force won this conference championship as quarterback Sami Grisafe completed 17-of 29 passes for 183 yards while Darcy Leslie contributed with 70 yards rushing in the second half. Jeanette Gray caught seven passes before leaving with a minor injury.

The Force had 486 yards on offense while allowing 362 yards. Boston quarterback Allison Cahill was sacked six times and completed only 17-of-39 passes.

The Force travel to San Diego and will play the Dallas Diamonds, August 3 for the National Championship title.

For more information please visit chicagoforcefootball.com or call the Force hotline at (872) 222-5078.