After picking up a dominant victory last weekend at its season launch, the St. Louis SLAM hits the road this Saturday for the “I-70 Series” of women’s tackle football in quest of its second straight duke.
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
The SLAM (1-0) travels cross-state and battles the KC Titans at Shawnee Mission South High School (5800 W. 107th, Overland Park, KS). Kickoff is at 7 pm.
At its home opener last Saturday at Lindenwood University, St. Louis decimated Derby City 71-0 to springboard its Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) 2016 docket. Power was displayed early as the SLAM quickly defused the Dynamite, resulting in a 52-0 intermission lead, and the shutout was retained via its stingy defense.
“I think the SLAM did an awesome job,” assessed defensive back Jelani Kelly. “Our defense did a great job in keeping the other team from scoring and the offense was able to put an astounding number of points on the board.”
Last Saturday, both the returning starter and her sistren were anxious and excited to record snaps and construct the foundation for future success in the WFA American Conference.
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
“Getting back on the field was great,” Kelly said. “Leading up to the first game, there was a lot of hard work and preparation for the season, but the week of the first game, in particular, seemed like the longest week. Once the day had finally arrived, I felt as if it was my very first game again.”
The 52-point lead accumulated at halftime presented the opportunity for the SLAM newcomers to gain valuable on-field time. Both Kelly and long-tenured team mates were impressed with what they saw from the rookies’ contributions to the overall effort.
“They played so well that the coaching staff had no problem in allowing many of them to get an ample amount of playing time,” she said. “Every position, from the O-line and D-line to the secondary on defense and, as we call them, the ‘skill’ on offense had at least one player that made big things happen throughout the game. I can tell you one thing , I am definitely looking forward to this season because of all of the talent and hard work the SLAM will have to showcase this year.”
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
If anything, the depth St. Louis displayed last Saturday will be imperative as the squad will face tougher opposition, such as Kansas City this weekend, as its WFA regular season continues.
“We have a lot of talent and hard workers on the team,” said Kelly of the team’s complexion. “This will allow more frequent substitutions, equating to fresh players on the field without sacrificing the high level of play and skill. We will be able to play each down full speed with precision, which ultimately will be shown on the scoreboard.”
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
The KC Titans, who take to the field for the first time Saturday, were 6-4 in 2015 and went two rounds deep in last year’s WFA post-season. Numerous weapons return for the squad that split its pair of games against the SLAM last year. With one game in hand, St. Louis could potentially capitalize on early Titan miscues and net a pivotal road victory.
“I believe it will come down to execution,” predicted Kelly. “We are a well-coached team and we’ve had weeks of preparation, so there’s no question in my mind whether or not we are capable of winning this game.”
Game-day confidence and on-field proficiency will be keys as the “Show-Me State” women’s football legacies tangle and look to retain a goose-egg in the loss column.
Photo Credit: Mick Lite Photography
“I think if we, as a whole, go into this game with the right mind set and execute our plays as we should, we will be coming home with another win in the books,” Kelly said.
Admission at the event is $10 while children 12 and under get in free.
Live online audio coverage of the game is available by going to THIS LINK. When you reach the page, click on Channel 9 (WFA Football) and then from the games listed, click the white box next to the letter “G” (Kansas City Home Play-By-Play).
For more information on the St. Louis SLAM, who returns to home play April 23 against the Chicago Blitz, go to stlslam.com.
