Gameday Recap

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Defense Shines In Victory

KENOSHA, WI. Saturday night’s game at Ameche Field started out bathed in bright sunshine and very gusty winds. With five minutes to play in the first half and dusk quickly approaching, the stadium lights malfunctioned leaving both teams competing in almost total darkness. The defense shone brightly throughout, was credited with two scores, and lead the undefeated (3-0) Force to a 26-14 victory and first place in their division.

The Warriors (1-2) despite suiting up only 27 players, were clearly the most physical of any prior Force opponent. They kept the Force offense off the field for most of the first quarter with a combination of runs and short passes, but were denied any chance of scoring thanks to an unrelenting defense led by LB’s Jessica McPeake, Pam Schaffrath, and Safety Linda Bache. At 11:38 of the first, Warrior QB Stefanie Brettingen dropped back to pass from the Force 35. DB Brandi Srda read the play nicely, stepped in front of the receiver for the interception and streaked down the right sideline untouched for a 55 yard touchdown return, and a 6-0 lead. Srda, a valuable two-way player has scored three touchdowns in as many games.

The Force defense was at it again. At 11:05 of the second quarter, the Warrior’s punt attempt from their own 21 was blocked by a bulldozing rush from DT Amanda Malsch. LB Darcy Leslie picked up the loose ball and ran it in for the score from 4 yards out, to make it 12-0.

The Warriors got on the board with just 22 ticks left on the clock. CB Abigail Coons intercepted QB Angie Bandstra at the Warrior 30 and ran it in for the touchdown. The two point try was good for a 12-8 halftime score. The Warrior’s opening offensive series of the third quarter was greeted by a swarming assault by the entire left side of the Force defense that caused RB Elizabeth Strozinsky to cough up the ball. Leslie, who has a nose for the ball, pounced on it at the Warrior 33. "Christmas came to me two times today," said Leslie with a wide grin on her face.

The offense took full advantage of the miscue, recording three straight first downs with great blocking, a heads up play by QB Sami Grisafe turning a broken play into a five yard gain, and strong running by RB Melissa Smith, FB Bridget Fahrner, and RB Marcie Myers. Myers ran right up the middle for the touchdown to stake the Force to an 18-8 advantage. The Warrior’s once again made it close. At 2:22, Strozinsky, now playing defensive back, picked off Grisafe at the 48, and scampered 52 yards to close the gap to 18-14.

The Force put the game out of reach with 12:06 to play with what they do best, running the ball down the throats of the opponent. It was all Myers, darting out of the backfield five times including a flashy 10 yard run across the goal line. It was only fitting that Head Coach Jim Stahl called Myer’s number again on the two point conversion. She didn’t disappoint, converting the only one after three previous tries. "Marcie is gaining more confidence and knowledge each time that she steps on the field," explained Stahl. "She has a quick first step, follows her blockers and had a nice game tonight."

The Force got good contributions from many reserves that Coaches Rich Bradford and Gary Kuykendall called on to preserve the victory. Accolades go out to Albi Zhubi, Jennifer Benson, Michelle Gottschalk, Jeannine Nebbeling, Sofia Sianez, Kim Reed, Kara Wabbel, Diane Didier, and Patricia Harper.