By ALEX CARSON
Sports Writer
Ryan Hall will look to secure a top seed in the playoffs and Welsh Family will look to snag a playoff spot when the two teams collide Sunday.
The Wildcats (4-0-1) are still unbeaten on the year, and senior captain and offensive linesman Andrea Carlson said they see this game as an opportunity to grab the No. 1 seed of their division.
"We want to put up a big number this game [to win a potential tiebreaker with Pangborn]," Carlson said. "We're neck-and-neck with Pangborn, and we'd like to get the top seed going into the playoffs."
On the other side of the ball, the Whirlwinds (2-3) will try to sneak their way into the playoffs this weekend with a win over Ryan.
"We're hoping to show how much we've improved and play our hearts out," senior captain and linebacker Carissa Henke said. "Hopefully, we can go out there and get the win and make the playoffs."
Ryan's success this year has come on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats average 28.4 points per game offensively and have only given up 13 all season. Carlson attributed their strong season to maintaining good communication.
"One of the best things we have going for us is our communication," Carlson said. "Our offense and defense are both really good with reading the play."
Welsh Family has seen strong games from its defense throughout the year, giving up only 13 points per game.
"Our defense has really stepped up this season," Henke said. "We've had players playing different positions, and it's been great to see them come along."
Ryan and Welsh Family will take to the field at LaBar Fields this Sunday at 4 p.m.
Contact Alex Carson at acarson1@nd.edu
Pangborn vs. McGlinn
By JOSE FERNANDEZ
Sports Writer
After the break, an undefeated Pangborn takes on a hungry McGlinn team that is looking to deliver the first blow to the Phoxes' record.
Pangborn (4-0-1) went into the break following a hard fought game against Ryan that resulted in a tie. Senior captain and offensive lineman Mary Kate Veselik said she saw a loss of focus going into their last game and is expecting much more from the Phoxes this time around.
"We need to focus on keeping up with consistent play and what we know how to do," Veselik said. "We have to take every game as if it was the most important game of the season."
Veselik said she had confidence in the two-quarterback system that the Phoxes use with juniors Caitlin Gargan and Liz Quinn, and in their ability to carry the team.
McGlinn (2-3), on the other hand, suffered a loss before fall break and is looking to right the ship and make a final push for the playoffs. Senior captain and receiver Tara Crown said she urged her team to have a short memory.
"We need to be focused and forget about what happened," Crown said. "We need to start fresh and match Pangborn's athleticism in every play."
Much like Pangborn, the Shamrocks will rely on their quarterback, sophomore Katherine Petrovich, to make big plays and lead the charge, Crown said.
The Phoxes and Shamrocks will face off Sunday at 4 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Jose Fernandez at jfernan9@nd.edu
Pasquerilla East vs. Badin
By MATT GARCIA
Sports Writer
Two teams with opposite fortunes will meet Sunday when playoff-bound Pasquerilla East takes on Badin.
The Pyros (4-1) are currently second in their division behind an explosive offense led by junior quarterback Macy Mulhall. Senior captain and defensive lineman Caroline Kuse said great plays at the receiver position have been pivotal to the Pyros' success.
"We are really lucky that we have tons of receivers," Kuse said. "They have appeared in the past few games with the stickiest fingers."
With a playoff seed clinched, Kuse said the Pyros have their eyes set on the future, noting that she will be mixing up personnel.
"Since we have a postseason spot already ... this one is really about fun," Kuse said.
From the other sideline, the Bullfrogs (0-5) will be looking for a strong finish to what has been a winless season. Before the weeklong hiatus, sophomore captain and quarterback Kristina Techar said the team worked on offensive schemes.
"Before break, we really looked to develop our option plays a little bit more," Techar said.
Badin will look to build upon its lone touchdown from last game, a catch and run by freshman running back and receiver Melange Gavin. After a collision earlier in the season sidelined Techar and Gavin with concussions, Techar said the duo is ready to put forward a strong performance in their last game.
"I am looking to see [Gavin] have a really great last game after all the practice we have had this year," Techar said.
The Bullfrogs and Pyros clash Sunday at 6 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Matt Garcia at mgarci15@nd.edu
Pasquerilla West vs. Lewis
By RENEE GRIFFIN
Sports Writer
Pasquerilla West will have a chance to complete an undefeated regular season against Lewis on Sunday, while the Chicks (2-3) will strive to reach the .500 mark.
Lewis, which is coming off two consecutive wins, will try to spoil the Purple Weasels' potentially spotless season. Lewis senior captain and wide receiver Colleen Haller said she expects her team's best game this weekend.
"One of our strengths this season has been being able to improve every game, whether that's completing more passes or pulling flags quicker on defense," Haller said. "Hopefully, all those improvements can help us get the win against [Pasquerilla West]."
Pasquerilla West (5-0) will be motivated as well. Senior linebacker and captain Breezi Toole said she expects for junior Colleen Doyle and sophomore Katie Ferrara to make big plays in this game, as well as in the postseason.
"Going into it, we're going to play our game and keep focusing on what we've been focusing on, and hopefully, we'll come out on top," Toole said.
Toole also said she is excited to have the opportunity to try to finish the season with a perfect record.
"Going undefeated would be fantastic," Toole said. "It was one of the goals we had for this season. It would be great to reach that benchmark that we set from the beginning."
The showdown between the Chicks and the Purple Weasels will occur at 6 p.m. at LaBar Fields on Sunday.
Contact Renee Griffin at rgriffi6@nd.edu
Breen-Phillips vs. Walsh
By ALEXANDRA LANE
Sports Writer
Both Breen-Phillips and Walsh head into their game Sunday looking to end the season on a positive note.
The Babes (0-5) have yet to record a victory so far this season, but senior captain and linebacker Monica McNerney said she thinks they can change that this week.
"With a lot of new freshmen on the team, we have struggled this season, but it has been a learning process," McNerney said. "I am hoping everything we have been practicing will come together and lead to a win on Sunday."
The Wild Women (1-4) are also looking to improve their record this week, junior captain and receiver said Maggie Fisher said. She said she is confident Walsh will end the season on a high note.
"I think we have improved a lot, and I am really optimistic about this game," Fisher said. "We're looking for the win on Sunday."
Fisher said junior offensive lineman Anne Goodman would be a key player for the Wild Women this week, as she has been all year long.
"She is the MVP of our season," Fisher said.
The Babes will look to leadership from senior safety and running back Mary Toner, who will be playing in her final game.
"She has played four years of [Breen-Phillips] football, and I'm hoping she'll have a big game," McNerney said.
Breen-Phillips and Walsh will face each other Sunday at 5 p.m. at LaBar Fields.
Contact Alexandra Lane at alane2@nd.edu
Cavanaugh vs. Farley
By REBECCA ROGALSKI
Sports Writer
Both Cavanaugh and Farley have their eyes set on Sunday, when the Chaos (3-2) will duke it out against the Finest (1-4) in the last game of the regular season.
Cavanaugh suffered a disappointing 28-6 loss against Pasquerilla East on Oct. 13. The Chaos, however, look ahead to this week's matchup against Farley with a new mindset, according to captain and senior middle linebacker Meaghan Ayers. Ayers said she knows improvements are necessary on defense.
"Our first and foremost concern is our defense," she said. "We really need to limit the number of offensive scores, and by working with the defense diligently, I believe we can accomplish that."
After a 19-7 loss to Lyons, senior receiver Lauren Ladowski said the Finest go into their last game of the season hoping to leave it all out on the field. Ladowski also said Farley plans to mix up their game plan to throw the Chaos off balance.
"I figured since this is our last game, I want everyone to enjoy it and have fun," Ladowski said. "We're going to try putting players in various positions, as well as plan on devising some intricate plays to keep Cavanaugh on their toes."
Regardless of Farley's adjustments, Ayers said the Chaos are confident in junior quarterback Sam Flores.
"When [Flores] puts in the effort, the rest of the team puts in all their effort as well," Ayers said. "If we can keep up that kind of momentum, I have no doubt we'll play our best."
The Chaos and Finest will clash at 5 p.m. at LaBar Fields on Sunday.
Contact Rebecca Rogalski at rrogalsk@nd.edu
