Motivated by social media trash-talking, the Chicago Force delivered a clear message to the Minnesota Vixen: Yes, the 2017 Force is still a powerhouse in the Women's Football Alliance ( WFA ).
And that message started, literally, seconds into the game on Saturday night, May 6, which was Chicago's home opener and a battle between two 4-0 teams.
Cassey Brick took the opening kick at the Chicago-21 and didn't stop running until she had crossed the goal line. That was one of four touchdowns by Brick as the Force cruised to a 53-0 win over the Vixens, who had allowed only 2 points in their first four games.
Chicago built a 17-0 lead after the first quarter and it was 39-0 at halftime.
Minnesota even asked for the mercy-rule in the second half, thus the clock was running throughout and Force starting quarterback Sami Grisafe was removed from the game.
And it was Brick who replaced Grisafe at QB.
"We knew we had to start strong to shove it down their throats," said Brick, in her third season on the Force, her eighth season overall playing tackle football. "There was some trash-talking [by the Vixens] before the game which really fueled our fire."
Force rookie Aleksandra Lukasiewicz had a 3-yard first quarter touchdown, her first of two TDs in the game, and Jules Harshbarger booted a 20-yard field goal with :26 remaining in the opening quarter.
Kristy Moran rushed in from 8 yards out at 11:21 of the second quarter, pushing the score to 25-0 after the two-point conversion.
Brick returned a punt 46 yards for a touchdown at 9:15 of the second quarter.
Brick also had third- and fourth-quarter TDs.
"We definitely mean business this season," said Brick, who earned the Game Day Offensive MVP Award, presented by DLG Management. "This definitely was my favorite game of the season so far. I came ready to play, and was happy with my performance. It was a pretty solid game—for me and the rest of the team."
Brick's stint at QB was a first-ever for her and, admittedly, she was nervous. "I felt like I had no idea what I was doing," she said, "but it was fun."
Mary Choules ( 9 tackles ) was named the Game Day Defensive MVP, also presented by DLG Management. Kelsey Casey had 8 tackles and Candace Griffin grabbed 6.
The 5-0 Force play host to the Toledo Reign on Saturday night, May 13, at Evanston Township High School. Kickoff is schedule for 6 p.m.
