Heading into the weekend, the St. Louis SLAM have claimed ten straight victories on home turf – a stretch that dates back to May 2022.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
If the “orange and black attack” claims another local win Saturday night, not only will they maintain that streak, but it more importantly pushes their quest for a fifth national championship in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA).
The undefeated SLAM (7-0) hosts Minnesota Vixen (5-2) in the WFA Pro American Conference title game held at St. Mary’s High School (4701 S. Grand Blvd.)
Kickoff for the tussle is set for 7 p.m. General admission tickets on-site are $15 while children under 10 are free.
Stakes are high as the winner advances to the WFA Pro championship finale in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Tom Benson Field on July 27.
“To people that may not know, there is still pro football in ‘The Lou!’” promoted SLAM offensive line specialist Tamikka Brents. “Come out and cheer us on as we battle to become back-to-back American Conference champions and punch our ticket to Canton! To our new and old fans alike, we have felt all the love and support and we appreciate y’all!!!”
Saturday’s triumphant SLAM/Vixen rep faces either WFA Pro National Conference finalists Pittsburgh (7-0) or Boston (5-2), who also have their own respective East Coast showdown Saturday.
The undefeated SLAM topped Cali War, 28-6, in a WFA Pro American Conference semifinal two Saturdays ago at St. Mary’s. (RECAP)
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
St. Louis held a tight 14-6 edge at intermission and knew that they needed to ramp up their play in the second half.
“Collectively, we weren’t happy about how we were playing,” reflected Brents of the mid-point differential. “Then Coach (Quincy Davis) told us that he expected more, that we need to remain the SLAM and execute how we are coached. So, we did just that.”
St. Louis blanked the visitors in the second half, 14-0, en route to the 22-point semifinal triumph.
Quarterback Jaime Gaal threw a pair of touchdown passes in the victory that pushed the All-American’s total to a WFA-leading 25 on the season. One was claimed by running-back Jada Humphrey, who also had two touchdown romps on the night.
With solid work of the O-line consisting of Brents and veteran teammates Caitlin Erickson, Antonnia Washington, Pamela Green and Marion Ball, the SLAM offense currently ranks second in WFA Pro (45.7 PPG) heading into the weekend.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
Adding to the offensive boost is the stellar work of receivers Kerri McMahan and Sydney Bloch, who have claimed 13 and 7 touchdown grabs, respectively, this season. Running back Amanda Richardson and co-captain Jamie Skinner have also been instrumental in maintaining traction.
Defensively during the semifinal win, the SLAM performed at optimal levels throughout. WFA Pro All-Americans Myah LeFlore, Tay Johnson, Alisha Straws and Mary Altepeter alongside Maddie Embree, Kaylee Neutzling, Keyonna Smith, Ciara Morgan, Kinnaudy Daniels, Brooklynn Devitt, Danielle Price and a host of others held Cali scoreless in the second half.
Heading into the weekend, St. Louis’ defense is currently ranked second in WFA Pro (13.8 PPG).
Depth at all positions has been a highlight of the SLAM this season.
“We love that we have such talented vets and rookies alike,” said Brents of the charter. “But we’re even more appreciative that everyone works hard and are coachable.”
Saturday’s meeting with the Vixen will be the third between the pair this season. St. Louis survived a 41-40 road nail biter in early-May but opened eyes with their 42-7 thumping against their arch rival in the re-match at home in mid-June.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
“There’s a lot of things that changed for us during the time between those games,” reflected Brents of the home-and-home series. “We were more comfortable as a unit in the second game, it was at home, and we weren’t missing players.
“Although we want to dominate in every game, that last meeting was to decide who had home field advantage in the playoffs. We wanted to make sure the path to Canton went through St. Louis.”
The SLAM’s June win, which secured the team top seeding for the conference playoffs, helped the team physically, mentally, and fiscally.
“We loved having home field advantage,” reflected Brents. “We get a bigger crowd. We can sleep in our own beds. No nine-plus-hour bus rides and it saved us from having to fundraise even more.”
Even with prior regular-season success, the SLAM’s slate is now wiped clean, and Minnesota looks to play spoiler this weekend.
The Vixen, seeded second in the Pro American conference post-season bracket, topped third-seeded Mile High Blaze (CO) at home two Saturdays ago, 35-13.
In the semifinal victory, Minnesota posted 35 uncontested points to easily set the tone and inevitably advance.
Vixen running backs Sarah Rosche and Johanna Vermöhlen each ran for two touchdowns on the evening. Both Rosche, a tenured veteran, and Vermöhlen, a newcomer to the squad, have comparable stats.
Erin Kelley had a touchdown pass in the victory, which pushed the quarterback’s total to 14 this season. Prime target Jackie Radford was the recipient, who now has nine six-point snares heading into the weekend.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
The Vixen’s offense is currently ranked fourth in WFA Pro (40.3 PPG).
Defensively, Minnesota allowed a pair of Blaze scores in the semifinal’s remaining two minutes, but overall dominated. Sam Barber, Caitlin Hill, Emily Sampson and Jocelyn Tanner lead a unit that is ranked eighth in WFA Pro (24.5 PPG).
After suffering two setbacks against the SLAM during the regular season, the Vixen would love to snag the upset over the top seed and return to the WFA Pro finale that they last played at two seasons ago.
“They want to beat us, so they are going to do everything in their power to get the W, same as us,” projected the SLAM’s Brents. “Playoff football is a different animal. Emotions, physicality, hunger is intensified. So, I anticipate a dogfight.”
One team will be muzzled after the final whistle blows Saturday night.
Photo Credit: Gerald Affeldt
The SLAM doesn’t want to be caged out of the championship picture. The “fifth ‘ship” has been the coveted goal since they competed at last year’s WFA Pro trophy game and hoisted their last national title in 2019.
“It’s hard to even put into words how badly we want this,” said Brents of the team’s intensity heading into battle. “We have been working for this since the last whistle of the championship last season. We know we can do it and we want to show the world who the SLAM are.”
Online, complimentary coverage will be provided by LiveStream STL by going to this link.
For more information on the SLAM, go to their official website.
Arch City Media will have a full recap posted Sunday afternoon.
