Outlaws Shut Out Fury

Despite last Saturday’s blazing hot temperatures and rough field conditions, the Outlaws kept their playoff hopes alive, with another big win against the Dallas-based North Texas Fury. Early in the first quarter, Dallas intercepted the ball at their 9-yard line – preventing the Outlaws from scoring. But the Outlaws’ “Darkside” defense responded with a series of especially hard tackles by linebackers Sekethia “Ski” Tejeda and Bridgette “Big Brown” Brown. Dallas failed to move the ball out of their territory, and as soon as the Outlaws regained possession, Shadana Hurd scored the Outlaws’ first touchdown. The girls never let up and shut out the Fury, 41-0.

Both the offense and the defense played an amazing game. Hurd scored the Outlaws’ second touchdown off a 34-yard carry with 1:35 left in the first quarter. And with nine minutes left in the second quarter, a 25-yard pass from quarterback Julie Wilke to wide receiver Becky Lahmann landed the Outlaws at first and goal from the 7-yard line. They scored in the next drive with a quarterback sneak. The Fury failed to capitalize on their next chance at possession, which linebacker Dorothy “Big D” Hines cut short by ripping the ball out of the Fury’s hands for a 21-yard return. Just under the two-minute warning, running back/linebacker Monica Gauck bullied her way to one more touchdown off a 4-yard carry.

The half ended with the Outlaws up by 27, and the Fury’s quarterback Jennifer Hull sacked twice – once by Tejeda and once by defensive back Alexandra Dobkowski. Gauck scored twice more in the second half, ending the third quarter with an 80-yard touchdown carry.

The Outlaws will play their last regular-season game against the first place Oklahoma City Lightning tomorrow at 7pm. Back in May, the Outlaws beat Oklahoma City for the first time in four years, 28-22. If the girls want to land a coveted wild-card spot in the playoffs, then the Outlaws must win and keep the Lightning from scoring. The Outlaws have home field advantage in what will likely prove a difficult and physically demanding game.