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<< Back to Gameday Recaps
April 2, 2005 ~ Against the Jacksonville Dixie Blues
On an unseasonably cold, and blustery April night. The Atlanta Xplosion dominated its home opener with a 41-16 win over the Jacksonville Dixie Blues Saturday night. The field was wet and the crowd was cold, but that didn't stop loyal fans watching the ATLANTA XPLOSION role off a total of 445 total offensive yards.
"The offense did exactly what they were supposed to do," says head coach Beniamino. "They controlled the ball 44 minutes and 11 seconds which helped keep our defense off the field." The Jacksonville Dixie Blues opened off the game with an opening drive that ended by a fumble recovery in the end zone by #33 Denise Beniamino. The Xplosion offense took over and drove 80 yards to cap off an 11 yard run by #26 Takela Corbitt (11-97 yards and 2 touchdowns). The extra point was added by #16 Jessalyn Martin and the Xplosion led 7-0. The defense, led by #44 Carla Odom (6 tackles with 1 fumble recovery), took the field and three plays later the offense was back to work. The offense drove another 72 yards which was finished by QB #13 Cheryl Glover (3-19 yards and 2 touchdowns), 4 yard plunge and the Xplosion was up 13-0 in the second quarter of play. Jessalyn Martin's second extra point was good, and the Xplosion lead was 14-0. On the pursuing kickoff, Jacksonville's #8 took the kickoff 65 yards and the lead was diminished to 14-6. The two-point conversion by Jacksonville was good and the score was cut to 14-8.
The next touchdown came after a fumble recovery from #44 Carla Odom, which gave the ball to the Xplosion at Jacksonville's 18-yard line. Charmaine Chin (10-71 yards/one touchdown and a two-point conversion) accounted for all of those 18 yards. The extra point was hindered by a bad snap and the Xplosion lead was 20-8 with about five minutes to go in the half.
After another stellar defensive stand, the Xplosion traveled 65 yards capped by #26 Takela Corbitt's second touchdown from 2 yards out. Charmaine Chin added the two points and the Xplosion led at halftime 28-8.
The second half started with a 47 yard Kickoff return by #29 Keisha Hamilton (11-74 yards rushing/one touchdown/ 121 all purpose yards). QB Cheryl Glover finished the drive with her second touchdown 2 yard run. Jessalyn Martin added her third extra point kick and the Xplosion lead was increased to 35-8. After a Jacksonville drive, the Dixie Blues added another touchdown pass with a two-point conversion to cut the lead to 35-16. The Xplosion offense then answered back with a 65 yard drive which was ended by #29 Keisha Hamilton's 17 yard run. The point after was no good, and the Xplosion ended the game victorious, 41-16.
"This was a great win for our ladies," says Beniamino. "Our girls have been working hard all year and it showed today. The offensive line dominated up front while the defense made sure to keep us on the field. That was the big difference today."
The Xplosion receive a forfeit next week from the Texas Revolution which will bring their record to 2-0. The Xplosion's next game will be home on April 16th at 7:00 p.m. against one of the leagues strongest contenders, The Chicago Force. To purchase tickets you may call our ticket office at 678-592-1217
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