Gameday Recap

Contact: George Howe,
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Home Field Suits Force

Chicago, IL The Force looked, seemed, and played like a team that was glad to be back home in familiar surroundings. With the warm sunshine bathing the field all afternoon, in front of a large enthusiastic crowd on Memorial Day weekend, the Force dismantled the Minnesota Vixen 53-0 to go 5-1 with two regular season games remaining. Head Coach John Konecki stressed to his team all week at practice that he wanted to set the tempo right from the opening whistle and his squad got the message.

The Vixen learned quickly that they would get a steady dose of Defensive Coordinator Jerry Verde’s multiple sets which they had no answer for. The Vixen could only muster up one first down the entire game, which actually came as a result of a Chicago penalty. On Minnesota’s first series, Amanda Malsch, Darcy Leslie, Kim Marks, Veronica Hernandez, Sofia Sianez, Jenn Schulz, and Game Day Defensive MVP Amber Burns (4 tackles, a fumble recovery and a safety), stuffed them three straight times with gang tackling, forcing a punt. Quarterback Albi Zhubi, also a return specialist, set things up with an 8 yard run to the Vixen 43. Two plays later at 12:05 Zhubi hit Offensive Game Day Offensive MVP Patricia Harper with a quick pass in the flat. Harper stiff-armed one defender and galloped down the left sideline for six. Carolyn Lee’s extra point made it 7-0.

The Vixen defense didn’t even catch its collective breath as once again the Force was on the move. Zhubi found WR Martha Dantuma for 5 yards into Minnesota territory. Next Zhubi pitched to RB Darlene “Blue” Hall. Two nice blocks by Dawn Pederson and Stephanie Miller, freed Hall for 15 yards to the 31. Coach “K” once again called Harper’s number on what appeared to be the same play. A short Zhubi pass to the left side, another Harper touchdown. Lee’s extra point made it a 14-0 advantage at the 8:05 mark. “The nice thing about the spread offense is that you toss the ball out there and our receivers make things happen,” explained Konecki. “Harper is a special player.”

The Vixen offense continued to stall while Chicago ran like a well oiled machine, amassing 469 total yards. Hall tallied her name in the box score with the first of two scores on the day. With 2:26 to go in the opening quarter Hall eluded several defenders going in from 21 yards out. The extra point made it 21-0. Hall a 10 year veteran of women’s football has proved to be a valuable late season acquisition. “She adds depth and experience,” Said Konecki. “She makes others compete for playing time which makes us better.”

In what was the most peculiar play of the season and a lesson in football IQ, the Force had the ball at their own 35 with 10:55 left until halftime. On a lateral pass behind the line of scrimmage from Zhubi to rookie RB Candace Griffin, the pass was dropped and appeared to the crowd and the Vixen defense to be incomplete, Coach “K” quickly but quietly instructed Griffin to pick up the live ball. Griffin scooped it up and ran untouched down the right sideline for the self recovery score. The extra point made it 28-0. “That won’t be happening to me for the rest of my career for sure,” said a relieved Griffin who also had two scores on the day. After an interception by CB Mary Valene at the Vixen 48, Harper got the hat trick when Zhubi’s pass hit Harper in stride without a defender within 20 yards of her. “I’m half shocked and certainly excited,” said Harper. “I never thought that I would score 3 times. I’m proud to be able to help the team.”

The Force travel to Kansas City May 30 to take on the Tribe. A win will clinch the division title and secure a spot in the playoffs. Game time is 6pm.