Pittsburgh Passion: Week 2 Renews IWFL Rivalry With Philadelphia
By Larry Snyder
Photo: Pittsburgh Passion
The Pittsburgh Passion is back on the road this week, as they take the gridiron against the Philadephia Firebirds for an all-Pennsylvania battle in Week 2 of Independent Women’s Football League action.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. this Saturday at A.A. Garthwaite Stadium.
Last week, the Passion opened the 2014 season on the road as they played in their 100th game in franchise history. Pittsburgh (1-0) defeated the defending IWFL champions Carolina Phoenix 29-6 at Memorial Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Starting quarterback Lisa Horton picked up where she left off from last season as she put up 215 yards passing and two touchdowns to Rachel Wojdowski. The receiving duo of Wojdowski and Amanda Haeg combined for 15 receptions for 190 yards.
Last season, Horton contributed a team record and personal best with 1802 passing yards and 23 touchdown passes. Wojdowski was one of Horton’s favorite targets in 2013 as she had 36 receptions to go along with 766 yards and a team-record 13 touchdowns. Haeg had 25 catches for 368 yards and three touchdowns.
The ground attack in Carolina was led by running back Ciara Chic with 72 yards, while fullback Kadesha Clark added 44 yards and two touchdowns on the evening.
The defense was solid and kept the Phoenix offense in check as linebacker, Octavia Griswold led the charge with seven tackles. There was a melding of youth and experience in creating turnovers as rookie defensive back Ashley Strawn and fourth-year defensive back Krissy Edmonds each had one interception while veteran linebacker Beth Amato had a fumble recovery.
Pittsburgh’s defense also put points on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter when defensive tackle Kaitlain Niedermeyer brought down the ball carrier in the end zone for a safety. The Brentwood, Pa., native contributed to six other tackles during the contest.
Philadelphia opened the 2014 season on the road last week, and defeated the Washington Prodigy 20-6. The Passion are 2-0 all-time against the Firebirds.
Coming up on Week 3 for head coach Teresa Conn and the Passion is a road trip on April 26 to the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn to tangle with the New York Sharks. The Passion is 3-2 all-time against the Sharks.
The Passion will celebrate their home opener on Saturday, May 10 at 7 p.m. when they host the Montreal Blitz at Cupples Stadium, located at 930 East Carson Street on the South Side of Pittsburgh. It will be the first-ever meeting of the two squads. The Blitz won the 2012 IWFL championship.