 |
|
|
| |
 |
 |
 |
Click here to visit
our new, secure Xplosion online store! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
<< Back to News
July 19, 2007
Atlanta Xplosion one game away from title game after 28-18 come from behind victory over DC Divas in Division Championship
For the Atlanta Xplosion, a victory over the visiting DC Divas for the Division Championship of the Independent
Women’s Football League (IWFL) was about a whole lot more than advancing to the Conference Championship
game July 28.
“This game was about respect,” said player-owner Takela Corbitt. “People all around this league said last year we didn’t deserve to win the IWFL title. They said it was a fluke. This win makes a statement for us.”
However, the 28-18 come-from-behind victory on July 14 was by no means a cakewalk for the defending IWFL champs. In fact, DC came to Atlanta undefeated and still basking from their 2006 championship title in a different league DC played in last year. The Divas drew first blood in the second quarter by concluding a 12-play, 74-yard drive with a 27-yard touchdown run by Tiffany Matthews. An attempt for a two-point conversion was thwarted by the Xplosion defense. It would be the first of three failed attempts by the Divas thanks to a swarming Xplosion defense lead by veteran Carla Odom’s two sacks in the first half.
With the defense limiting the visitors to just six points by halftime, the offense took over by taking the second half opening kickoff 62 yards on 13 plays. The drive was topped by a three-yard run to pay dirt by Lee Lee Cannon, her first of two touchdowns in the game.
As the Xplosion began finding their offensive rhythm, the Divas began crumbling defensively. DC, not prone to many mistakes, commenced with a tipped pass from quarterback Allyson Hamlin late in the third period that ended up in the hands of Xplosion linebacker Toni Fuller. That gave the Xplosion offense excellent field position at the Divas’ 34 yard line. It took seasoned quarterback Cheryl Glover only five plays to complete the 31-yard drive and score the Xplosion’s second touchdown of the game to give them an eight point lead.
Thanks to an errant punt by DC midway through the fourth quarter, Atlanta grabbed the oval at the Divas’ 41 yard line. The Xplosion scored their third touchdown of the contest and consumed 6:18 off the clock. Corbitt, the Xplosion player-owner, contributed to the effort by scoring from the three-yard line.
DC was hardly ready to capitulate to their hosts. On the ensuing kickoff following the Xplosion touchdown, DC’s Tara Stephenson, behind great blocking from special teams, raced 79 yards to the end zone. But again, that attempt for two was foiled by the Xplosion defense. The Divas then managed to score once again, this time on a 37-yard pass completion from Hamlin to Stephenson. Again, that old two point jinx reared its head and the Divas were unable to convert. Just to be certain and possibly because the Divas defense had tired some by being on the field so long, the Xplosion scored a fourth time on a 60-yard run from scrimmage by Cannon who finished the game rushing 7 times for 107 yards.
After the game, the Xplosion offensive line was given the game ball though owner Corbitt had something to say about it. “The offensive line deserves the game ball but so does our coaching staff,” she bellowed after the post-game prayer. “They got us good and ready for this one.”
The ultimate shouting is still to come. The Xplosion must now face an old nemesis, the New York Sharks, for the right to advance to the IWFL title game to be played August 11. The Xplosion hold a 2-0 edge on the Sharks in post-season play. In 2005, they edged the Sharks 3-0 to win that year’s conference title. Last year, they defeated New York 35-14 for the conference crown and then defeated the Detroit Demolition to take the championship game. This time, things are different. The Xplosion has enjoyed home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and, if they get by New York Saturday, will play for the league title in their newly adopted home field, Manus Stadium on the campus of Roswell High School
|
|
|
