(MANSFIELD, TX) Deep in the heart of Texas Saturday night, the St. Louis SLAM continued their stellar play in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA) with another dominant triumph.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Their Lone Star State trek resulted in a 49-6 victory over the Dallas Elite Mustangs at R.L. Anderson Stadium that pushed their record to 5-0 and remain the top team in the WFA Pro American Conference.
In the overwhelming win, second-year starter Jada Humphrey had three scores with a pair of endzone runs and a touchdown reception.
Meanwhile, the SLAM’s defensive unit went “all-in” for their turf version of “Texas Hold ‘Em” by limiting the Mustangs – a team that averaged 30 points heading into Saturday’s tussle – to zero points in the second half and a solo score overall.
Some say that “All things are bigger in Texas.” The SLAM certainly lived up to that with their output.
St. Louis claimed a quick score in the first quarter with Humphrey’s two-yard plunge that gave the visitors a 7-0 lead following place kicker Kaylee Neutzling’s successful PAT.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Dallas (1-3) attempted a drive on the ensuing possession, but quarterback Destinee Hernandez’s attempted pass was intercepted by the SLAM’s secondary, resulting in St. Louis starting their next drive at the Mustangs’ 46-yard-line.
The SLAM then produced a six-play, 54-yard scoring drive, punctuated by quarterback Jaime Gaal’s three-yard touchdown pass to Sydney Bloch – the hard-charging rookie’s sixth of the season – at the 4:35 mark. Neutzling added the kick afterwards that pushed the score to 14-0.
Dallas couldn’t muster much on their next possession and handed St. Louis good field position at the Mustangs’ 30 yard-line deep in the first quarter. With about :20 remaining in the frame, Gaal connected with trusted receiver Kerri McMahan for a 19-yard touchdown pass that extended their lead to 21-0 following another successful PAT kick.
An additional clamp down by the experienced St. Louis defense resulted in another change of possession early in the second quarter. Paced by the seasoned SLAM “O-line,” a solid, 11-play, 70-yard drive maintained their Texas swing. Capped by Gaal’s six-yard touchdown pass to Humphrey at the 5:49 mark and the successful kick that followed, the SLAM pushed the advantage to 28-0.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
As intermission loomed, St. Louis posted another lengthy first-half drive. Starting at their own 26, the SLAM churned 74 yards off nine plays for another score. The capper was McMahan’s second touchdown grab of the night – and eleventh of the season – from Gaal from four yards out with thirty seconds left. Their lead was pushed to 35-0 after the successful PAT.
To their credit, the Mustangs broke the goose egg with a frenzied 69-yard push that was finished by Zaria Whittaker’s 18-yard touchdown catch with two seconds left in the half. Dallas attempted a two-point conversion afterwards but failed and the SLAM held a 35-6 lead at halftime.
The late surrender of points by St. Louis’ defense resulted in the collective becoming a venomous rattlesnake in the second half. They honestly never allowed the Mustangs to potentially build any kind of momentum.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
During the process, the SLAM widened their lead in the third quarter. Running back Patrice Fitzpatrick notched her first career touchdown with a one-yard plunge on fourth down with 10:18 remaining. Neutzling added the PAT kick as the score widened to 42-6.
St. Louis took it to the bank later in the frame with a seven play, 59-yard drive that was capped by Humphrey’s 38-yard touchdown scamper with five minutes left in the third quarter. Neutzling completed her 7-for-7 success rate on PAT kicks that pushed the SLAM’s lead to 49-6.
With a continuous clock in the fourth quarter, St. Louis was content to maintain the differential with no further scoring. The SLAM outpaced the Mustangs 14-0 in the second half to claim the 43-point win and remain undefeated on the season.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Gaal threw four touchdown passes on the night, pushing the All-American’s ledger to a WFA-leading 19 on the season.
The SLAM finishes their regular season on Saturday, June 15 at home against the Minnesota Vixen (3-1), who currently sits second in the WFA Pro American standings.
There’s plenty of intrigue going into the upcoming battle at St. Mary’s High School. St. Louis edged the Vixen by a solo point on the road, 41-40, earlier this season. Additionally, Minnesota claimed a very-impressive 42-34 victory Saturday over the D.C. Divas, a top-tiered team in the WFA Pro National conference that had previously won a pair of championship trophies.
The meeting between the Pro American rivals should determine who claims the top seed in the conference’s upcoming post-season complexion held later this summer. Long story short, if the SLAM nets the win two Saturdays from now, they are in the driver’s seat.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Conversely, if Minnesota – winners of three straight – claim a road win at St. Mary’s, the top seed might be based upon calculated Massey rankings…and one must has to leave it to an algorithm in order to figure it out.
No doubt, the SLAM/Vixen game should contain similar drama that was experienced earlier this season, due to the impressive play from both squads.
We’d recommend that you buy a ticket to personally witness some high-caliber football.
For more information on the SLAM, go to their official website.
(Story constructed by online coverage provided by the St. Louis SLAM’s official Facebook page via multi-media journalist Taylor Hay.)
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 Arch City 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.
