Pre game summary for the Northern Ice
Published on October 22, 2003 under Women's Professional Football League (WPFL)
Northern Ice News Release
In this game we will be matching up two very talented teams. Each has its own style and strength. Whereas Long Beach takes to the air, the Northern Ice pound the ground.
Using the stats against Long Beach's toughest rivals, Arizona Caliente, and the three time Champion Houston Energy, we will have a great look into the play we can expect from them on Saturday.
Long Beach is a dominant passing team using a primary three, if not all of their receivers. Their primary receivers were Tiffany and Taffany Maxwell and Kelley Teegardin gaining a collective 316 yards. But four other receivers were utilized combining for 117 yards.
The After Shock accumulated twice as many yards in the air than they did on the ground, averaging 13.8 yards per completion. Their starting quarterback, Mary Montgomery, had a 61.5% completion average and with her leadership scored 6 of their seven touchdowns from the sky. In her 52 attempts she threw only one interception between the two games.
Although less utilized they maintain a respectable running game. Averaging 3.96 yards per carry, their running game can keep teams honest.
Passing game winner: Long beach
Now on the other hand, the running game of the Northern Ice is their bread and butter. Behind a strong O line the backs and QB get the time they need to create plays that "work". Their backs are quick and shifty and known to achieve great feats despite compromising positions (Example: when Van Cuick's helmet was torn off and she ran for another 25 yards without it verses Indiana).
The Ice have mastered the art of the Double Wing offense. These ladies have taken a very simple offense to the likes of perfection. They can run right up the gut for ten plus yard easily behind their "take no prisoners" O line. But what really makes them exciting and effective are their counter plays and the strong blocking that allows their speed to get outside and to the end zone.
Running game winner: No. Ice
When it comes to defenses, they are pretty even. Both teams can snag interceptions from the air gracefully. In the two games we are comparing this one to the accumulated two interceptions, three sacks, and forced one fumble making their aggressive play similar to the play of the Ice. The Ice had three interceptions in their final game of the year alone.
Defense: Tie
Let's talk QB's. Both ladies, Margaret and the Ice's Petra Olsen, are QB's with amazing qualities. Olsen has been called the "Female Favre" by many noting her ability to scramble better than an egg, throw on the run, and gun it to a receiver for some 40 plus yard away. Margaret has a keener ability to hit her reliable receivers time and time again on short routs with pinpoint precision. QB's : Tied
Lastly, with great pleasure and joy, that brings us to special teams. This is where the game will be decided. Let this be a lesson to everyone out there who thinks special teams is for the meek and mild. In my opinion this is the team that HAS to be strong. This group of players march on the field to receive and distribute the ball after punts determining field positioning, and often times scoring.
The way a team comes of after that first kickoff can often make or break a psychologically strong team. A team must have their most reliable blockers out on the filed. So many games are won and lost with the scrappy group.
Here is where the Achilles' heel of the Shock has been found. In the two games that have been used to compare to what Saturday predicts, their special teams are nowhere to be found. They have not run either a punt or kickoff back for a score. They have gained poor field position, but even more costly are the number of failed attempts of their point after kicks and two point conversions. They failed to hit 3 extra point kicks and two two-point conversion attempts, successfully completing one, with a pass.
Now the Ice may just have the strongest special teams in the league. They have forced fumbles and regained ball control, scored game in and game out, and the kicker as good as gold on extra points with a great leg for field goals. The offense for the Ice often find themselves with great field position and their kickoff and (rarely used) punt team display some monster hits.
No question advantage here: Northern Ice
Lastly, the Ice find themselves playing in the familiar surroundings of Anderson Field, in Kenosha. Advantage goes to the Ice with the league's craziest, most loyal fans. Every team wants these bragging rights but how many teams have at times 10 + men stripped down to spell out the team on their chests...every game!
Field Advantage: Ice
The win will go to the team with the least penalties committed and the one who capitalizes on the weaknesses and mistake of the other. Both teams are strong fundamentally and this should make for a great game to watch no matter who you are. So come out and cheer on your Northern Ice, tailgating begins at four PM.
Women's Professional Football League Stories from October 22, 2003
- Pre game summary for the Northern Ice - Northern Ice
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
