Here are this week’s game previews!
Knoxville Lightning v Columbus Comets
San Diego Rebellion v Los Angeles Warriors
Wisconsin Dragons v Grand Rapids Tidal Waves
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Knoxville Lightning D3 (1-3) @ Columbus Comets D2 (3-2)
May 19, 2018 – 7:00pm – Grove City Christian School – 4750 Hoover Road, Grove City, OH 43125
By: AnneMarie Snyder
“After getting our first win of the season, we have had to re-focus on the upcoming Comets game,” said Coach Tim Beasley. Coach Tim Beasley added, “The Comets are coming off of a big loss and they will be looking to get back on the winning side while we go for our second win of the season. The Comets have a tremendous running game with Carrie Hall running the ball. Our goal will be to contain her in the backfield and not allowing her to get those big runs. She’s going to be a tough to tackle but I think our girls are ready for the challenge. I expect the Comets to make some defensive changes after their loss to the Passion.”
Lydia Qualls, Veteran Running Back of 5 years stated, “After losing some of our strong veterans from last year, and starting this season with half of the team being rookies, I believe that the team as a whole has finally pulled together. We have been working hard and making a lot of changes from week to week.” Lydia continued by saying that, “Players are more understanding of the plays, and are beginning to execute them as well. The coaches have been doing a great job in putting in the extra time, by going back to the drawing board and figuring out what works and what doesn’t work for us, and also utilizing all of the players AND in different positions depending on what we are up against. I believe we showed evidence of our changes and hard work this past weekend with our WIN this past weekend against the Carolina Phoenix.” Lydia concluded by stating, “This week we intend on coming out with the same mentality and go harder.”
Offense and Defense line rookie, Amanda Keller, stated, “Being part of our first WIN last week was a truly great feeling, especially with such low squad numbers.” She also added, that we will definitely need everyone healthy this coming Saturday as we take on a Division II opponent with twice our numbers. “This could prove to be a true David and Goliath match up.” “One of the best things we have is Heart. No matter what the score has been, or how little time was left on the clock, we have NEVER given up. This weekend will be no different”. Keller concluded by stating, “I couldn’t be more proud that to be a part of this team and the WFA.”
If you cannot see us live, or want more information about our team, please visit our website and follow the action via our social media pages:
Webpage: www.knoxvillelightning.com
Facebook: Knoxville Lightning
Twitter: www.Twitter.com/knoxlightning14
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Los Angeles Warriors (5-0) vs San Diego Rebellion (4-1)
El Rancho High School, 6 p.m., Saturday, May 19th
by Warriors Staff
There are many words to describe this upcoming weekend’s game – retaliation, revenge, anticipation – but if nothing less, this game is going to be exciting! The WFA season has turned the corner that every game moving forward counts toward playoffs. And both teams are currently looking to make not just an appearance in playoffs but to have home field advantage. This game has huge implications for both teams.
For the Rebellion, this game is all about payback. There is only a single loss in their column, and the Warriors put it there with a win several weeks ago over them 48-8. Leading the attack this week will be Knengi Martin at quarterback who has thrown 4 touchdowns and over 250 yards. And with their strong defense, led by Elisa Nguyen who leads in overall tackles for the Rebellion, they will have to come up with a solution for the Warriors offense who averages 50 points a game.
This past weekend’s game for the Warriors showed that they do not have to rely on their run to win a game. With Erika Collins taking control in the huddle, she threw 5 touchdowns against the Kern County Crusaders to three different receivers. Each of those receivers experienced their first touchdown score of the season.
“Even though they are in Division II, and we beat them once, the team [Rebellion] loves football and they are going to be ready for this game,” Fuyuki Hamaguchi reflected. She was one of the breakout stars from this past weekend with catching two touchdowns – one including 75 yards – and a two-point conversion. “They can be harder to beat, so we need to take them seriously.”
The Warriors are preparing like they usually do every week: film, strength/weight training, and practice. The message around the team has not changed in which it is back to business. In a way, the Warriors play like the underdogs in every match up. And they are hoping to prove to social media and to themselves that they can keep their undefeated record.
“If WE [Warriors] are content with what has been accomplished thus far, then WE are an obstacle in our own path to championship,” Head Coach Bobby Patterson stresses to his team. He also goes on to share his respect for this team. He explains how he is a fan of the Rebellion when the Warriors are not playing them and hopes they go far into the playoffs. But when it comes to this Saturday, there are no friends on the football field.
The Warriors defend their home once again this week and attempt to keep the Rebellion out of their loss column.
If you cannot see us live or want more information about our team, then please visit our website to follow the action via our social media pages:
Live: https://www.facebook.com/SanDiegoRebellion
Website: www.lawarriorsfootball.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LosAngelesWarriorsFootball/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la_warriors_football/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/_la_warriors
Snapchat: la_warriors
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Wisconsin Dragons (2-2) vs Grand Rapids Tidal Waves (2-3)
Hart Park Stadium, Wauwatosa, WI – Saturday, May 19th, 7pm kickoff
by Scorch, Dragons Team Mascot
The Dragons have had a good thing going since their Week 3 bye reinvigorated the squad. The first win of the season was earned at home vs the Columbus (IN) Vanguards, where the defense was denied the shutout on the very last play of the game. The team then followed that up with a 51-19 road victory against the non-league Iowa Crush. The Dragons fly into Week 7 looking to continue their winning ways and to stay strong through the end of the regular season.
The last time the Tidal Waves were in Wisconsin, they dropped a 2-point heartbreaker to the Madison Blaze. Grand Rapids rallied back from that loss with a purpose, posting consecutive shutouts, first against Flint and then in the rematch vs the Blaze. Their most recent game was a loss in Cleveland that marked the middle of their 7-game stand between Week 2 and Week 10 byes.
A cadre of Dragons took advantage of the April 21st bye to scout the Tidal Waves at Blaze game live. It was a great opportunity to gain firsthand exposure to two future opponents, plus it gave a few Dragons veterans a chance to reconnect with former teammates on both the Madison and Grand Rapids rosters.
Defensively, the Dragons have really stepped it up, allowing far fewer points over the last two games combined than they did in either of the first two games this season. Communication and adaptability have been the focus of recent practices.
“I have a very good feeling about this weekend’s game vs the Tidal Waves,” enthuses Coach Nate Harris. “I sense the team has come together as a family and is having fun playing football. The last 2 wins helped tremendously with the confidence of our team.”
The offensive squad keeps improving week by week as well. After putting up just four touchdowns total in the first three games, the Dragons’ breakout in Iowa is a sure sign of things to come. However, they aren’t taking their future opponents lightly.
Dragons’ Coach Snoopy Shuster says, “I have a tremendous amount of respect for [Grand Rapids] HC Troy as we used to coach together. And several of his players used to be my players. We’re both coming in with similar records. So this should be quite a game.”
The Dragons would love to see and hear you in the stands, but if you can’t be there in person, follow the team online at www.widragons.com and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/wisconsindragons/, as well as the live scoring updates at http://www.wfaprofootball.com/live-score-updates/.
GO DRAGONS!!