Two teams meet at 4 p.m. Sunday at McGlinn fields, and only one of them advances to the playoffs. In a must-win game for both squads, the 3-2 defending champions from Badin take on the 2-1-2 Lyons Lyons.
"We're not ready for our season to be over," Badin wide receiver and running back Meg Charlebois said. "It's a huge game, and we're going to give it all we've got."
Badin heads into the final game of the regular season coming off a 13-7 loss to Welsh Family, while Lyons skids into the do-or-die contest after failing to score in each of its past two games.
"We're looking to put some big points on the board," Lyons offensive lineman Laura Riebschleger said.
That goal might be tough to accomplish against an aggressive Badin defense.
"The defense is going to continue its level of intensity and will look for turnovers," Badin linebacker Christina O'Donnell said.
After barely missing the 2003 playoffs, Lyons upperclassmen said they would use their experience as motivation for the final game.
"We don't want to be in that situation again," junior linebacker Mosey Nuccio said.
Looking to rebound from a one-touchdown loss to Welsh Family, Badin continues its quest to defend its interhall title.
"Whoever wants this game more is going to win it, and we've worked too hard this season to lie down now," O'Donnell said.
Howard vs. Off-Campus
The teams at the bottom of the women's gold league standings have labeled their upcoming game the "showdown of the losers." Winner takes all - a single win and bragging rights.
Howard (0-3-1) and Off-Campus (0-4) are both planning to leave it all on the field on Sunday at 5 p.m. at the West Quad field as one of them will get that elusive first win.
"I talked to a few of the girls from off-campus and we decided this was like the showdown of the losers because we're both at the bottom of the brackets," Howard captain Callie Whelan said. "So we're excited to see who can be the best of the worst."
But do not expect this match to be meaningless. After being overmatched by top teams like Welsh Family and Badin, Howard and Off-Campus will finally have the opportunity to face an opponent of similar stature to duke it out for the slot directly above last place in the division.
Of the two teams, Howard has enjoyed greater success this season based solely on its tie against Welsh Family, the No. 1 team in the division. With at least one good game under their belt, the Ducks will look to end their season on a positive note.
"Across the board, our offense has really come together and our defense has too," Whelan said. "The whole team has really come together and it'll be exciting to play a team of equal caliber."
Off-Campus has been taking a much more relaxed path during this season.
"We're really trying to improve our offense and our defense," Off-Campus captain Lauren Blum said. "We really seem to have plateaued at terrible. So maybe we can climb off that."
Lewis vs. Welsh Family
Four years ago, Lewis and Welsh met for the flag football championship game. Welsh Family won by a point, and thus began the rivalry between the two teams.
They weren't in the same league following the stadium showdown, but now, after two years, the teams will meet in regular season play.
"We've had a long standing rivalry with them," Welsh Family captain Mary Prendergast said. "I was there four years ago when we beat them in the stadium. It doesn't really matter what their record is - it's a big game and we are really geared up to play in it"
Welsh Family has been off to a great start this year with a record of 3-0-1. The Whirlwinds are currently undefeated, but Lewis certainly has the motivation to do it
"This is the first time we've seen them in regular season play in two years," Lewis Captain Julia Burke said. "I just missed the stadium game by a year, but I've heard about it several times. Both teams are intense and get really geared up for the game."
