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WFA Pro Defending Champs' 46-0 Victory Pushes Win Streak To 13 Games
(ST. LOUIS, MO) After the St. Louis SLAM posted a dominant 46-0 victory over Derby City DynamiteSaturday night at St. Mary’s High School, one of the officials looked at the scoreboard and gave the impression that he was surprised that the local team didn’t score more.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Honestly, there was no snarky comment about the defending champions of the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) Pro Division. He just knew how good they currently are. Performing at optimal levels early, they possessed a 33-0 lead when the first quarter finished and decimating follow-ups could have ensued.
In the end, the SLAM did not make the final differential ridiculous but nonetheless sent out a pretty clear message after final horn.
Knocking them off the top of the WFA mountain later this summer will not be easy.
With the triumph, the SLAM (4-0) currently tops in the eight-team Pro American standings as the lone undefeated squad and pushed their winning streak to 13 straight.
“We knew we had to come out early and dictate the tone,” reflected SLAM co-captain Pamela Greenafter the game. “We wanted to come out tonight on a positive note.”
“We had a lot of injuries in our last game, so we wanted to come out and show everyone that we have depth,” added line mate Tamikka Brents.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
That wealth of experience and talent was on full display against the visitors – a scrappy WFA Division 2 rep from Louisville, Kentucky – from the get-go.
By taking advantage of excellent field position on their opening offensive drive, the SLAM scored on their second snap from scrimmage with Jada Humprhey’s one-yard touchdown waltz. Reserve place kicker Kerri McMahan added the PAT that resulted in a 7-0 lead at the 11:45 mark.
On the ensuing Derby City possession, a fumble in the trenches was recovered by SLAM defensive lineman Jennifer Perkins at the Dynamite 25-yard-line.
Four plays later, St. Louis quarterback Jaime Gaalconnected with McMahan from four yards out with 10:32 left in the quarter. McMahan hit another PAT kick, and the locals held a 14-0 advantage.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Things worsened for the Kentuckians on their next drive. Derby City quarterback Nicole Lockett’spass was intercepted by SLAM standout Brooklyn Devitt at midfield and returned to the Dynamite 33-yard-line.
Gaal quickly tacked another touchdown throw, a 14-yard strike to Amanda Richardson with 8:01 left in the quarter that extended the SLAM’s lead to 20-0.
This offensive trend continued for the remainder of the quarter thanks to solid linework of Green, Brents, Marion Ball, Caitlin Erickson and Antonnia Washington, resulting in two more SLAM endzone trips.
“Without them, we don’t get anything done,” acknowledged SLAM multi-specialist Keyonna Smith, who caught a pair of touchdowns Saturday. “I’m personally proud about the work that they put in. Regardless of who we’re up against, they put in the work, both physically and mentally.”
Gaal first connected with Smith at the 2:56 mark with a 44-yard touchdown pass that pushed the score to 26-0.
The first-quarter onslaught concluded with :13 remaining after rookie Aaryana Cook claimed her third touchdown catch of the season, a ten-yard snare from Gaal. McMahan’s PAT kick cleared and the five-time WFA champs sported a 33-0 lead.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
The Dynamite were forced to punt in their first possession of the second quarter and the SLAM once again made quick work leading to another trip to the pay window. Gaal notched her fifth touchdown of the game with a 33-yard throw to Smith with 12:30 left in the half.
Smith – who has played with the team on both sides of the ball for fifteen seasons – has mostly been featured defensively in recent campaigns. However, the offensive ledger has blossomed the last two games with five end zone trips.
“It feels like I’m getting back to regular business,” she said of the surge of receptions. “It’s Year 15 and I’m getting back to what I’m used to.”
McMahan added the PAT kick afterwards that pushed the SLAM’s lead to 40-0, which would be the score posted at intermission.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
The second half saw the SLAM defense continue their stellar play and even post points of their own. St. Louis defensive back Ciara Morgan intercepted Lockett’s pass attempt with about 8:30 left in the third quarter and claimed a 54-yard “pick-six” that pushed the score to 46-0.
The unit – paced by Smith, Perkins, Devitt, Morgan, Mary Altepeter, Jasmine Yandell, Taylor Hay, Tay Johnson, Raven Williams, Kinnaudy Daniles, Jennifer Tussey and a host of others – went on to snip with wick of the Dynamite and collect their third shutout in four games played.
“Football is a game of highs and lows,” reflected Smith. “When we hit our lows, we do a great job of picking each other up. I love how my team really rallies each other and rise to the challenge.”
Offensively, Gaal finished the night with 16 completions for 273 yards and five touchdowns. The veteran pushed her total TD passes to 17 on the season and has yet to be intercepted.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
The SLAM continues divisional play next Saturday as they travel north to face the Minnesota Vixen (2-1). St. Louis edged their rival, 34-27, earlier this month at home and are fully aware that their opponent seeks revenge.
“We know we have a big test next week,” said Brents. “We’re looking for Minnesota.”
“I expect my team to show up and do what we’re supposed to do,” said Smith.
For more information on the SLAM, go to their official website.
SLAM OFFENSIVE STATISTICS – Unofficial
PASSING – Gaal: 16-30, 273 Yds, 5 TDs, 0 INT.
RUSHING – Cooksey 6-35. Humphrey 4-18, 1 TD. Fitzpatrick 4-9.
RECEIVING – Smith 6-147, 2 TDs. Humphrey 2-34. Richardson 2-30, 1 TD. McMahan 2-25, 1 TD. Daza 2-22. Cooke 1-10, 1 TD. Cooksey 2-6.
KICKING – McMahan 5-6 PATs
By trade, he is a six-time, regional Emmy Award-winning news videographer/editor for KTVI/KPLR-TV. By hobby, he is a writer for Litehouse Media, dating back to February 2014. Emphasis is on featuring and promoting local women's sports, but will cover anything that is not reported by traditional media outlets. Also a contributor to local concert reviews. Finally, he prefers Diet Ski over coffee.
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