Indianapolis, IN. Records were shattering throughout the evening as the Chicago Force destroyed the Indy Crash at Marian University. Chicago set a franchise record for single game totals in points scored (82), most passing yardage (501), and most touchdowns scored (12).
On their initial possession the Indy ball carrier lost the handle and Chicago's Darcy Leslie recovered the fumble. The Force offense was unable to move the chains and had to punt. After a short drive, Melissa Nelson and Jen Dulski stuffed the Indy ball carriers for losses on successive plays and the Crash were forced to punt. Chicago began to move the ball, but the drive ended when QB Sami Grisafe fumbled and Indy recovered at their own 33 yard line.
On the next possession, Dulski sacked Indy QB Lea Kaszas for a six yard loss and Nelson again tackled the ball carrier in the backfield for a loss of two. Indy's punt was fielded by Jessica Javelet and she returned it 27 yards to the Indy 28 yard line. On the first play Grisafe found Ashley Berggren down the seam for a touchdown. The two point conversion failed and Chicago was up 6-0 with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter.
After a big kick return, Indy was unable to move the ball and had to punt. Chicago let it roll, and started from their own 10 yard. Grisafe passed to Hatcher for 15 yards, then found Javelet streaking down the middle for 64 yards and a touchdown. Again the two point conversion failed. Chicago 12, Indy 0.
Indy struggled again to move the ball and on third down Kaszas suffered another sack, this time courtesy of Martha Dantuma and Kim Marks. Javelet took the ensuing punt 58 yards for a touchdown. Leslie converted on the two point attempt and Chicago's lead stretched to 20-0 at the end of the first quarter.
After another Indy three and out, the Force took over on their own 47 yard line. The Chicago backfield combination of Brandy Hatcher, Darcy Leslie and Mary Choules was too much for Indy as Hatcher, Leslie and Choules each picked up a first down. Hatcher finished the drive with a 19 yard touchdown run, the two point conversion failed. Chicago leads 26-0 early in the second quarter.
On their next possession a Kaszas pass is touched by two Force defenders before dropping into the hands of Kiva Thomas, who then dashed into the end zone for a 35 yard Indy touchdown. The two point attempt fails and the Chicago lead is cut to 26-6.
The next Force drive featured a 30 yard pass completion to Berggren and a 2 yard touchdown run by Leslie. The two point attempt is stopped and Chicago leads 32-6 midway through the second quarter.
The ensuing Indy drive ends when Elisha Okrey intercepts a Kaszas pass at midfield with just over 3 minutes to go in the first half. Grisafe passed to Hatcher for a 43 yard completion down to the one yard line. Leslie runs it in on the next play and Hatcher then sliced in for the 2 point conversion. The Chicago lead is pushed to 40-6 with 2:35 left in the second quarter.
Indy returned the kick to their own 38 yard line. Choules flew into the backfield and dropped the Indy running back for a 7 yard loss. Angel Smith then sacked Kaszas for a 9 yard loss. Indy had to punt with 1:14 left in the half, which proved enough time for Chicago to score again. After two quick Crash penalties, Grisafe passed to Berggren for a 25 yard touchdown. Leslie pushed through a crowd for the two point conversion and Chicago took a 48-6 lead into halftime.
The second half featured 4 more touchdown passes: two to Berggren, one to Hatcher and another to Javelet. Grisafe finished 25 of 39 for 501 yards and 7 touchdown passes. Javelet had 6 receptions for 205 yards and 3 TD's, Berggren had 7 receptions for 176 yards and 4 TD's, and Hatcher added 11 receptions for 110 yards.
Chicago's offensive explosion was matched by a frenzied defensive effort that resulted in 14 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 2 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries (one returned for a touchdown). Dulski had 6 tackles, 4 for a loss, 2 sacks and forced a fumble. Leslie had 5 tackles, 1 for a loss, 1 sack, an interception and a fumble recovery. Nelson finished with 4 tackles, 3 for a loss, and a scoop and score 20 yard touchdown on a fumble recovery. Angel Smith and Taz Brooks also made their presence felt with drive-killing plays in the Indy backfield.
Chicago substituted freely in the fourth quarter enabling Indy to push across 2 touchdowns amidst some sloppy tackling. Chicago remains undefeated at 6-0, while Indy fell to 2-5 overall.
The Force have a bye week over Memorial Day weekend, and then return home on June first to take on the Kansas City Titans at 5pm at Evanston High School's Lazier Field.
For tickets and more information please visit chicagoforcefootball.com or call the Force hotline at (872) 222-5078
