Game Summary Atlanta Xplosion vs New York Sharks
April 7, 2004 - Independent Women's Football League (IWFL)
Atlanta Xplosion News Release
In what could have easily been billed as "The Game", The 2004 Atlanta Xplosion kicked off the regular season against the defending Eastern Conference Champions- the New York Sharks. And did the Xplosion begin the game with a BANG...
After 2004 Captains Charmaine Chin, Sue Cackowski, Natasha "SKYY" Slan, Charlene Vance, Kiwanii "KK" Gibson, and Dee "HAWAII" Ember won the coin toss at midfield, lethal returner Angela "DEF" Rowe took matters into her own hands (and legs) by taking the contest's opening kickoff 80 yards untouched for a score. With the new season just 15 seconds old, ATL was already on fire! After missing the point-after attempt, Atlanta lead early 6-0.
Following Atlanta's kickoff to New York, the Xplosion took the field with their physical "Darkside Defense". New York came out with a no-huddle offensive attack and moved the ball well downfield. In fact, Sharks Quarterback Val Halesworth guided the veteran unit all the way down to a 1st & Goal from the Atlanta 6-yard line. That's where Atlanta's "Darkside" took over. After a forced fumble and recovery by Atlanta was nullified by a neutral zone penalty, New York was smacked back to the 31 yard line with consecutive sacks by Celeste "HALEY" Rausch and "HAWAII" Ember. After one final pass attempt on 4th and Forever concluded New York's impressive 13-play drive, the vaunted defense held its ground, and New York turned the ball over on downs.
The high-scoring "Bombsquad" offense of Atlanta now took the field against arguably the best defensive unit they'd ever faced in New York. Led by their experienced Linebacker Missy Marmorale, the Sharks forced a three-and-out the Xplosion punting unit to come onto the field. As the shanked punt sailed towards the Atlanta sideline, the Xplosion coaching staff made a costly blunder. By not having the punt cover unit down the ball as it rolled dead onto the wet turf, New York's Lori DeVivio quickly stepped in, picked up the loose ball, and sprinted 35 yards for the tying score. This mental error was the first of many Atlanta would have on the day - New York added the extra point and grabbed the lead at 7-6 in the first quarter.
The Xplosion returned the ensuing kickoff 30 yards as "DEF" Rowe once again crossed in Sharks territory with her deadly speed, only to have the return brought all the way back 25 yards to the Atlanta 32 on a blocking penalty. The following possession was marked by lapses, as a holding call and false start only added to Atlanta's fledgling momentum on gains. On 4th Down, the punt unit lined up, only to have the Sharks block the kick attempt.
With outstanding field position from the Xplosion's 28-yard line, that stingy "Darkside D" held once again with a team sack on 4th down to give the ball back to Atlanta. The Second Quarter began with both teams traded field position over the next several possessions, with Atlanta seeing some progress in moving the chains. The clouds finally cleared midway through the second stanza with a Captain-to-Captain strike of 35-yards from Sue "CLINK" Cackowski to "SKYY" Slan. Three plays later, Cackowski hooked up with rookie sensation Audra "SHOCKEY" Thomas for a beautiful 33-yard touchdown pass. Another miscue on the extra point prevented Atlanta from converting, but "The BOOM" had regained the lead at 12-7 with just over 4 minutes remaining in the first half. New York's offense managed another 10 play drive, but could not score before halftime.
The third quarter belonged to the Xplosion. After forcing yet another three-and-out, the Sharks got off a short punt giving Atlanta decent field position at the New York 43. On third down, Cackowski went up top to -you guessed it - "DEF" Rowe who took the spiraled gift 33-yards for yet another score. Atlanta failed on the 2-point conversion, but now lead 18-7.
The next New York possession was marked with Sharks QB Halesworth being pressured and sacked yet again, so after ANOTHER three-and-out they were forced to punt- Bad Idea. Atlanta's punt return set up a wall and finally allowed Captain Charmaine Chin to get into open field and display her talents. Chin took the punt 60 yards down to the Sharks' 5-yard line- ATL's knocking on the door again! This time, Cackowski could not march the "Bombsquad" to pay dirt, so kicker Mary Kay "MK" Bateman came in and added a 24-yard field goal to push the Xplosion advantage to 21-7 with five and one-half minutes remaining in the third stanza.
Our aggressive, attacking defense force another turnover on downs with heavy QB pressures, hurries and another sack to give what appeared to be the drive to put the game away. With the ball on the Xplosion 44-yard line, New York picked of Cackowski for the second time of the contest. Apparently, it was all the momentum New York would need going into the final period trailing Atlanta 21-7 with fifteen minutes of football to go.
New York settled down in their no-huddle attack and began moving the chains. Atlanta defenders were in position to make plays, but did not execute. Offensively, Atlanta could not sustain drives to eat up valuable minutes off the clock. With the defense on the field way too long... and the offense on the field not nearly enough... New York roared to life in the final period scoring 3 touchdowns and walking away at the final buzzer with a 28 - 21 victory.
Head Coach M.G. Dawson on the game: "I accept FULL responsibility for our loss here today- from that blown call on the punt in the first quarter to missed assignments and turnovers late in the game- the finger of fault should point squarely at me. In easily the biggest game of our franchise's history, our ladies came to PLAY. For the better part of three quarters, I don't think there's a women's team on Earth that could have stuck with us out there. Up 14 points going into the fourth quarter, with a defense producing like that, there's no way we should come up short. I tip my hat to Coach Sanchez, his staff and the Sharks players- that's what Championship caliber teams do- find a way to win. I guarantee that this ball club will figure out a way to do the same in the big games- this one's on me."
The Atlanta Xplosion are off this week with a BYE before returning to HOTlanta for the Home Opener on April 17th versus the Knoxville Summitt. The Xplosion's home for 2004 games in Campbell High School in Smyrna, GA - BOOM time is at 5pm EST.
For information Contact Elizabeth Deschesne PR/Media Media@atlantaxplosion.com
Independent Women's Football League Stories from April 7, 2004
- Game Summary Atlanta Xplosion vs New York Sharks - Atlanta Xplosion
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