Two down, two to go. Such is the current playoff mantra of the Chicago Force, as the team rolled over the Jacksonville Dixie Blues on Saturday night, July 7, at Evanston Township High School.
The Force moved to 10-0 with a dominant 67-14 win in front of about 300 fans. The Dixie Blues end their season at 9-1.
The win pushes the Force into the National Conference Championship Game on Saturday, July 21, against the Boston Militia, after the Militia defeated the D.C. Divas, 55-34, to advance in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) playoffs.
The Force will play host to Boston on July 21, at Evanston Township High School.
"We played really well; all cylinders were clicking, and I think we showed that we have what it takes to win [the National Championship,]" said Force quarterback Sami Grisafe. "There really was a playoff atmosphere to the game tonight, and we came through."
Grisafe stuck early, connecting with Albi Zhubi for a 29-yard touchdown pass at 7:57 of the first quarter. The Force built a 24-0 lead after the first quarter.
Arteria Ziegler was Chicago's offensive powerhouse, rushing in for four touchdowns, including a 31-yarder in the fourth quarter.
The Force led 40-0 at halftime.
"The difference tonight was, we came out of the gates and immediately played Chicago Force football," Grisafe said. "We still have a lot of work to do before [the next playoff game on July 21,] but we're very confident that we can win it all."
Running back Mary Choules had two rushing TDs, scoring from 16- and 3-yards.
* Laura Ricketts, part owner of the Chicago Cubs, attended the game and performed the pre-game coin toss. She sported a black Force jersey with RICKETTS on the back.