 |
|
|
| |
 |
 |
 |
Click here to visit
our new, secure Xplosion online store! |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
<< Back to Gameday Recaps
July 23 2005 ~ Against New York
Xplosion Win 3-0 Against the New York Sharks!
XPLOSION EARNS SPOT IN IWFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!
Saturday the ATLANTA XPLOSION went to New York and did the “Impossible.” For the previous five years, NOBODY has beaten the Sharks on their own turf. This game featured two undefeated (11-0) teams going head to head, with only one advancing their undefeated record to 12-0, and a earning a chance to represent the Eastern Conference in the Championship game. Heroically, the team that came ahead was the ATLANTA XPLOSION by a score of 3-0.
Fittingly enough, this game was played in New York due to the league’s tiebreaker rule for home field advantage which states; “if two teams share the same record, the team who has given up fewer points defensively would win home field advantage”. The Sharks defense, giving up three fewer points defensively overall in the season, would win that right. However, in a defensive battle for the Eastern Conference Championship game, it would be the Xplosion’s defense who would win that battle pitching a shutout to the Sharks, and prevailing by those same three points they lost home field advantage to.
“The defense came up huge today,” said first year head coach Phil Beniamino. “I’ve been saying this all year that these girls are the best in the league, and they proved why Saturday night.”
Saturday’s game would begin with a 55 yard ATLANTA XPLOSION opening drive to the New York’s 13-yard line. On fourth down, head coach Beniamino chose to have #16 Jessalyn Martin kick a field goal, and Martin’s kick sailed through the goal posts from 30 yards out. The Xplosion took the lead 3-0.
“It wasn’t even an option in my mind,” stated Beniamino.“Martin has proved all year to be the best field goal kicker in the league, and anytime you can get points on the number one ranked defense, that’s what you do.”
It turns out that those points became the only points, sending the Xplosion to the Championship game.
The Sharks offense finally hit the field with their first possession of the night. After a few completions and a couple of running plays the Sharks found themselves on the Xplosion’s 35 yard line. Then cornerback, #20 captain Kristal “Shorty/Velcro” Holmes, stepped in front of Quarterback Val Halesworth’s pass, intercepting and returning it to the New York 39-yard line. But penalties brought the pass back, as the Xplosion took over again. The Xplosion’s next drive would take the game into the second quarter and ultimately end up with a punt back in the hands of the Sharks. During this series, the Xplosion’s defense made quick work of the Sharks and turned the ball back to the offense after four consecutive plays.
Our defense was relentless today,” added Beniamino. “They were facing a well respected Val Halesworth who is ranked #1 in passing efficiency this year, and kept her on the move all day."
Atlanta took over the ball at their own 28-yard line and began to go to work. After hook-ups from QB #11 Sue Cackowski to #81 Dede Hutcherson, the Xplosion was back in Shark territory at their 30 yard line. Unfortunately, plagued by penalties all night long, they ended up going back to midfield and were forced to punt. However, just one play after Captain LB Kiwanii “Killer KK” Gibson sacked Halesworth, #27 Cherie “Re-Re” Collins stepped in front of the next pass for the Xplosion’s second interception of the game. Collins returned it all the way back to the Sharks 28 yard line, but once again, a penalty took them back to midfield where the offense took over.
“Penalties hurt us bad today,” added Beniamino. “Perhaps our girls were a little bit nervous out there. We piled up over 200 yards in penalties and still came away with a win. That’s pretty impressive to me!”
The defensive battle continued as QB Cackowski threw her first interception of the day and the Sharks took over inside Atlanta’s 30 yard line. But defensive pressure and sacks by Xplosion’s #2 Toni Fuller, #44 Carla “Smiley” Odom, and #56 Kiwanii “KK” Gibson helped to force the Sharks to turn the ball over on downs. Atlanta took a knee and ended the half with the lead 3-0.
The second half continued much like the end of the first. The Sharks took the kickoff and went three plays before being forced to punt back to the Xplosion. Atlanta finished the rest of the third quarter moving the ball up and “down” the field. Running backs #12 Charmaine “Maine” Chin and #26 Takela “Truck” Corbitt helped move the ball inside New York’s 30-yard line. However, once again, penalties brought them back “down” the field to the fifty, where they were forced to punt.
The Shark’s took over again but received another dose of defense at its finest. Captain #58 Dee “Hawaii” Ember, #99 Amanda “Too Big” Kinney, #71 Charissa “Scar” Carstarphen, #55 Jeanice “Chosen” Bailey, #76 Kimba “Gemini” Reams, continued to apply pressure to the Sharks. This led to their third turnover to the defense when #71 Charissa Carstarphen recovered a fumble at New York’s 35-yard line. Xplosion’s offense took it inside the Shark’s 10 yard line when hit by a few more penalties and ended the game on time.
“Hey, were tickled to death to be (12-0) and in the Championship game after defeating a great team like New York on their home field”, Beniamino stated. However, nobody will remember this season unless we win it all!”
The ATLANTA XPLOSION enters the IWFL Championship game August 6th in Manchester, New Hampshire, to take on the Sacramento Sirens (12-0). Sacramento is defending its championship for its third consecutive year.
|
 |
|
