Thursday, April 23, 2009 12:10 PM CDT
In
a Blaze of Glory
As each bell rang across the NSA Mid-South Varsity Field Saturday, it became evident that the Memphis Belles had the visiting New Orleans Blaze rocking.
In the WFA season opener, the Belles dominated their first home game in Millington 46-7.
And with a bell sounding off after each touchdown, the players were glad to see packed stands from the beginning to the end.
“The turnout is wonderful,” Belles center Nici Flewelling said. “It’s pouring down raining and we still have people here. We have some dedicated fans. This set up is going to work out very well.”
Just moments after the American flag was raised above the field, Belles running back and former Millington Lady Trojan Ashley Benbow took a handoff up the field for a big gain. A few plays later, her teammate Jessica Plunkett capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.
Before the first quarter could end, Memphis quarterback Michelle Kinney ducked and dodged through the New Orleans defense for a 34-yard scoring run. A two-point conversion by Caitlin Mills made the score 14-0.
The first play of the second quarter was more of the same for Memphis. Plunkett blazed through the New Orleans defenders for a touchdown from 25 yards out.
Plunkett later scored in the quarter on a 29-yard run. Then the Memphis defense took over with Brooke Conley picking off a pass.
Then Millington’s own Angela Smith terrorized the Blaze’s quarterback with back-to-back sacks.
With New Orleans in check, Memphis added one more touchdown to the tally before halftime. Mills caught a 3-yard pass in the end zone to make the score 34-0 at the break.
“Speed,” Flewelling noted. “We have a lot more players on the team than we did last year. Our stamina is awesome. The girls are holding up very well.”
Plunkett added two more touchdown runs in the second half and Kinney finished off the offensive production with a quarterback keeper.
Flewelling said with the home opener behind them, the Belles are now setting their sights on this week’s home game against the Emerald Coast Barracudas scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff Saturday at the NSA Mid-South Varsity Field.
And Flewelling said they also have the team from Jacksonville on their minds trying to win the division.
“We have a good chance at it,” she concluded. “I think we’re ready for them. We might have to change a few things just in case they have some big girls like New Orleans.”
“The turnout is wonderful,” Belles center Nici Flewelling said. “It’s pouring down raining and we still have people here. We have some dedicated fans. This set up is going to work out very well.”
Just moments after the American flag was raised above the field, Belles running back and former Millington Lady Trojan Ashley Benbow took a handoff up the field for a big gain. A few plays later, her teammate Jessica Plunkett capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown.
Before the first quarter could end, Memphis quarterback Michelle Kinney ducked and dodged through the New Orleans defense for a 34-yard scoring run. A two-point conversion by Caitlin Mills made the score 14-0.
The first play of the second quarter was more of the same for Memphis. Plunkett blazed through the New Orleans defenders for a touchdown from 25 yards out.
Plunkett later scored in the quarter on a 29-yard run. Then the Memphis defense took over with Brooke Conley picking off a pass.
Then Millington’s own Angela Smith terrorized the Blaze’s quarterback with back-to-back sacks.
With New Orleans in check, Memphis added one more touchdown to the tally before halftime. Mills caught a 3-yard pass in the end zone to make the score 34-0 at the break.
“Speed,” Flewelling noted. “We have a lot more players on the team than we did last year. Our stamina is awesome. The girls are holding up very well.”
Plunkett added two more touchdown runs in the second half and Kinney finished off the offensive production with a quarterback keeper.
Flewelling said with the home opener behind them, the Belles are now setting their sights on this week’s home game against the Emerald Coast Barracudas scheduled for a 4 p.m. kickoff Saturday at the NSA Mid-South Varsity Field.
And Flewelling said they also have the team from Jacksonville on their minds trying to win the division.
“We have a good chance at it,” she concluded. “I think we’re ready for them. We might have to change a few things just in case they have some big girls like New Orleans.”
