Pittsburgh Passion GameDay: Battle Of The Unbeatens In Playoff Matchup

The Showdown is finally here. The undefeated Pittsburgh Passion will open the 2014 Independent Women’s Fooltball League playoffs at home this afternoon as they host the unbeaten Keystone Assault.

The two Pennsylvania teams that tied with similar records of 8-0 at the top of the IWFL’s Mid-Atlantic Division will take the field at Cupples Stadium on the South Side for Round 1 of the playoffs at 4:00 p.m. Gates open at 3:30 p.m.

Let’s take a look at the tale of the tape on these two squads.

The Pittsburgh Passion asserted themselves all season to an undefeated 8-0 record by lighting up the scoreboard with 278 points and by limiting the opposition to just 24 points. Both of those accomplishments led the IWFL.

Pittsburgh’s opposition had a combined record of 22-18 this season. Four of their opponents on the schedule had records of .500 or better on the season. It was their fourth division title since 2007 and their fourth undefeated regular season.

The Black and Gold defense rose to the occasion and tied a team record with four shutouts this season. They did not permit any opponent to put up more than six points on the scoreboard. They also established a new team record for sacks with 26.

Not to be overlooked was special teams. Amy Fallon was 33 of 36 on extra points and contributed a team record four field goals including a career long 33-yard kick. Alex McAtee returned a punt for a 43-yard touchdown.

With what looks like a fairly similar record, on the other side of the field, the Keystone Assault went 8-0 this season by putting up 277 points on the scoreboard and allowing just 34 points to be scored by the opposition.

It should be noted that Keystone’s opposition had a combined record of 15-34 this season. Only one of their opponents made it to the .500 mark while two other teams failed to register a win this season.

The Assault defense did take care of business and put up five shutouts this season. However, coming in to today’s playoff game, they surrendered 20 points to the Washington Prodigy in their season finale.

Their common opponents were division rivals, the Philadelphia Firebirds (2-6) and the Baltimore Nighthawks (4-4). Pittsburgh shut out the Firebirds twice, 42-0 and 31-0 while they defeated the Nighthawks 38-6.

Meanwhile, the Assault downed the Nighthawks 13-6 and they shut out the Firebirds 21-0.

The winner of this contest, the Passion or the Assault, will meet the winner of the New York Sharks/Carolina Phoenix first-round playoff game for the Eastern Conference Championship on Saturday, July 12.

The 2014 Women’s Football Foundation Championship Week will take place over four days, Wednesday, July 23 to Saturday, July 26 in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

From The Clipboard: It will be a doubleheader at Cupples Stadium on Saturday as the Passion’s game will be followed by the Western PA Wildcatz of the Premier Amateur Football League in men’s football, who will take on the Strabane Spartans at 7:00 p.m. The Wildcatz are 4-0 in the PAFL and 7-1 overall while the Spartans are 1-3 in the PAFL.

The IWFL announced the members for the 2014 All-Star Game to be played on Saturday, July 26 in Rock Hill, SC. The following Pittsburgh players and coaches will represent the Eastern Conference in the contest.

On the first team is offensive coordinator Harvey Smith; quarterback Lisa Horton; wide receivers Rachel Wojdowski and Angela Baker; middle linebacker Tia Montgomery; defensive ends Jessica Nelko and Kim Zubovic; and defensive backs Sharon Vasquez and Michelle Peters.

Representing the Passion on the second team are offensive coordinator Adam Santoro; running backs Ciara Chic and Kadesha Clark; wide receiver Amand Haeg; tight end Kate Sullivan; offensive lineman Talisa Beachom; and defensive back Krissy Edmonds.