Farley's defense finished what its offense started, and when the game was over, the Finest came out on top by a score of 19-6.
Welsh Family quarterback Melissa Sands hit receiver Kelly Bushelle for a touchdown on their opening drive, but the Whirlwind offense was unable to muster another score for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, the Farley offense rolled again, scoring three touchdowns for their third straight game - also their third straight win.
The game was an important contest for both teams, and Farley's final 3-3 record puts them in a good position to make the gold league playoffs. Welsh Family will have to win its next game against McGlinn to advance to the postseason.
What is most remarkable about Farley's win is that it caps a run at .500 that the team completed after starting its season 0-3.
"I'm really proud of us," Farley's Kim Crehan said. "This was our winningest season in long time. We started 0-3, but to come back was great."
Depending on the outcomes of remaining games, Farley could find itself in its first playoff game in years, due to the Finest offense's awakening in its last three games after a dormant start to the year. None of Farley's current residents have seen a postseason berth.
Their passing attack has been dominant as of late, and this game was no different. Reciever and defensive back Annie Parrett accounted for all of the team's points with two touchdown catches and another interception return for a score. Brittany Baron also contributed on defense with an interception.
"The girls stepped up really well [and] the offense and defense make me really proud," said Farley coach Alex Staffieri.
"We moved the ball well, and their offense moved the ball on us, but our defense was bend not break."
The Welsh Family team was unhappy with its loss, but is still hoping to make it to the playoffs with a win in its next game.
"It was really disappointing, just poor execution," Whirlwind coach Ben McClain said. "You saw the first drive - we came out well, but we couldn't follow up."
McGlinn 0, Pasquerilla West 0
The McGlinn Shamrocks (4-0-1) marched down the field on a drive that gave them a first and goal on the four yard line.
The Pasquerilla West (2-1-2) defense stepped up on four consecutive plays and forced incompletions on all four downs to give the Weasel offense back the ball. The turnover on downs stopped either team's best chance of scoring and helped end the game in a 0-0 tie.
The Weasel defense dominated the game, forcing Shamrock quarterback Becky Brown to throw two interceptions. The first interception came in the first half and was first tipped by defensive lineman Julie Putnam,then caught one- handed by linebacker Heather Van Hoegarden. The second interception came late in the second half and stopped a strong-looking drive by McGlinn. Van Hoegarden, who on the same drive was called for pass interference on fourth down, caught the interception over her shoulder to give the ball back to the Weasels.
"We definitely stepped up on defense tonight," said Pasquerilla West defensive coordinator Joe McCarthy. "The line, the linebackers, the defensive backs, everybody."
As well as the two picks, the Weasel defense also put Brown under pressure on almost every play with two sacks by Putnam.
The Shamrocks matched the Weasels in stingy defenses. Using a three-man rush, Weasel quarterback Cara Davies was forced to leave the pocket and hurry her passes on most passing plays. But Davies was too quick for the Shamrock rush and was able to get the pass off more often than not.
On the Weasel possession following the goal line stop, McGlinn was given new life with an interception by defensive back Raquel Ferrer.
But the offense could not capitalize, as the Shamrocks gave Pasquerilla West the ball right back with the second Van Hoegarden interception.
"We would rather have had the win," said Shamrocks offensive coordinator Daniel Gray, "but we are still undefeated and have a guaranteed playoff spot."
Pangborn 34, Breen-Phillips 6
The Phoxes' speedy running game and efficient passing were too much for Breen-Phillips to handle Tuesday night as Pangborn finished off their regular season with a dominating 34-6 victory.
The bulk of Pangborn's scoring came late in the game when the offense was able to put up three touchdowns in only six offensive plays. The first of the three scores was the result of a well-orchestrated drive led by quarterback Katie Mooney. Mooney was 7-for-9 on passing attempts for the game. The scoring play was a pass to receiver Katie Riemersma, who had two touchdowns in the first half. The 15-yard toss to the back of the end zone built a 20-6 lead.
The very next offensive play was a 78-yard touchdown run in which Brynn Johnson left a slew of Babe defenders in the dust. Johnson had a big day running for Pangborn as she and fellow runningback Katherine Peterson rushed for a combined total of 120 yards on the day.
It was Peterson who had the final touchdown as time ran out on an option play from six yards out.
Breen-Phillips started strongly with an opening drive that went 60 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead out of the gate. The score came when Melissa Meagher found freshman Tara McCarron with a 10 yard pass. The Babes sputtered afterwards, having to punt the ball twice on their next two possessions. However, the defense was also playing well - and after an impressive stop to close out the half, which included two sacks and a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, the team was only down 14-6 to the heavily favored Pangborn team.
Momentum for Breen-Phillips considered into the second half when the Babes started out with another long drive down the field. Unfortunately, this one ended as the team was stopped on fourth down at the two-yard line. After this point, the game quickly spiraled out of reach and the Babes ended their season at 0-6.
Despite the rough ending to an even rougher season, the team was in high spirits after the game.
"Good season," was all Breen-Phillip's Meagher said after the game, as the rest of the team declined comment.
Katie Mooney was also brief in her expectations for the team's future.
"We're going to the stadium," she said about the playoffs.
