Shades of the 2007 New England Patriots were eerily on display Super Bowl Sunday in South Florida as the Chicago Bliss were upset by Los Angeles following an undefeated season. The thousands in attendance and the millions that watched tonight were expecting the Bliss to continue their championship run behind their power run game and a solid 85 Bears-like defense.
The LFL season culminated with perhaps one of the best games of the season with two heavy-weights that had each other on the ropes from the opening kickoff as the camera bulbs flashed. The Bliss wasted little time completing a touchdown pass on a reverse to Kat Johns at the 16:06 mark of the 1st half going up 7-0. Having watched a lot of film on Chicago, Temptation Nation understood they could not afford to fall behind early and responded with a ball-control drive that was capped by Game MVP Ali Eastlake’s touchdown run at 13:34 notching up the game at 7-7. Chicago responded with a clock-eating drive that included a lot of Tasha ‘The Tank’ Pryor, the drive was finished off by The Tank with a TD run at 9:50 giving Chicago a 14-7 lead. Then Ali came back at Frasier with Los Angeles responding with yet another balanced attack drive that was masterfully handled by Eastlake and capped with a Monique Gaxiola touchdown run at 4:12 mark but failed on a crucial extra point making the score 14-13. After the LA score, Chicago made a run before the half getting the ball inside the Los Angeles 2yard line with a First & Goal. Luckily for LA there is a lot of film this season on The Tank and Chicago’s short yardage offense. Temptation’s defensive coordinator Tui Suiamona licked his chops and barked at his All-Fantasy linebackers Monique Gaxiola and Michele Jacot to key on The Tank. Chicago tried running The Tank in on multiple plays and were shut down on perhaps the key turning point in the game.
Opening the 2nd half, both defenses really settled down and shut down the offensive fireworks of the 1st half. Chicago’s Deborah Poles and Monique Gaxiola shined leading their defenses with a final 17 minutes to a Lingerie Bowl championship on the line. Chicago struggled getting any offense going with a playbook that was well scouted by Los Angeles which included sweep runs and screen passing. LFL’s Offensive Player of the Year Saran Dunmore despite her incredible regular season numbers could not shake the multitude of LA defenders in the backfield on almost every play. Chicago was simply dominated up front giving Cartabiano little time to find receivers down the field, she was often face-first into the turf including a key Reese Mathews sack at the 2:32 mark that turned the ball over on downs to Los Angeles. The tide turned following the Mathews sack as Temptation Nation drove right down the field with a final nail in the Bliss coffin coming at the 1:36 mark with another Eastlake touchdown run making the score 27-14.
Chicago tried rallying with a final minute drive but once again stalled inside the Los Angeles 5yd line, leaving a total of 14 points on the field on the night.
Despite the Bliss’ magical undefeated season run, the night belonged to Temptation Nation who simply appeared more prepared and determined to win the Lingerie Bowl championship. Tinseltown will certainly be rocking tonight as Los Angeles’ only pro football team has won on football’s biggest stage.
Matt Field
LFLUnlaced.com Sports Editor
Under a full moon at the historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum stood a huge crowd hungry for the return of pro football to the LA area. Temptation Nation cheered throughout the game as Los Angeles dominated early and ofter behind the most impressive defensive exhibition of the season.
The Philadelphia Passion lived up to their number 2 power ranking after defeating the New York Majesty, 40-6. Check back for more details.
This weeks addition of Friday Night Football brought the Denver Dream into Dallas for the Desires home opener. A game that was expected to match up the two best teams in the Western Conference turned into a one sided match as Dallas took care of business behind the running of #16 Crystal London by winning 20-6.
What a game ladies and germs! The Los Angeles Temptation win in comeback fashion, final score 26-20. Denver had the game in control going into the half with a 20-6 to lead. I guess we need to credit some half time adjustments as the Temptation came out with a fire on defense and a running game powered by Britainie De Garbott. Brit took the ball into the endzone twice after halftime and the defense shut Denver down, not allowing a point in the second half.
