(Dallas, TX- Friday, June 17, 2016)
All eyes will be on Dr. Pepper Arena in Frisco, TX as the Dallas Desire host the reigning LFL Champion Seattle Mist in the home finale.
In what many are calling the game of the year, the Desire are looking to pull off an upset that would put them in the driver’s seat for clinching a Western Conference playoff berth in its first year back in the league; not bad for an expansion team that had more questions than a delivery truck carrying boxes of Allen Iverson shoes.
Even with veterans scattered throughout the roster, there were a lot of unknown variables as the team prepared to take on the L.A. Temptation in Week 1.
Playing the sport is different than coaching the sport; is Coach Melvin Bullitt and his staff ready to be LFL coaches?
Did Michelle Angel make a mistake in leaving the comforts of L.A. for the Texas uncertainty?
Would the rookies be overwhelmed by the moment?
Coach Bullitt’s play-calling and ability to teach his team complex football concepts has him moving into the category as one of the best in the league despite his inexperience. Even though his decision to go for the two-point conversion against L.A. drew the ire of some, it made sense because of how battered and bruised his players were.
Jade Randle, Victoria Thomas, and Cortnee White all have had moments where you had to wonder if they were really rookies. Their big-play ability, on both sides of the ball, has made teams adjust how they game plan for Dallas.
![Los Angeles Temptation vs Dallas Desire]()
Thomas
Thomas
Jade Randle, Victoria Thomas, and Cortnee White all have had moments where you had to wonder if they were really rookies. Their big-play ability, on both sides of the ball, has made teams adjust how they game plan for Dallas.
If the game versus L.A was the introduction and the victory over Austin was the coming out party, then the match-up against the Mist could be the defining moment of the season for the Desire.
Seattle is the flagship organization for the LFL. Not only are they the reigning champions but one can say that they have the best players at their respective positions in quarterback KK Matheny, safety Danika Brace, and running back/linebacker Stevi “the Bull” Schnoor.
As good as Seattle is, the Mist can be beaten but it will take a near-perfect performance — with the team focusing on these three keys — to pull off the improbable.
![Dallas vs Austin]()
Randle
RandleThe team has to pressure Matheny into mistakes. Despite being undefeated the Mist signal-caller has shown the propensity to struggle against a defense that can rush the passer well. Thomas, who is the team’s best defensive end, will be called on to carry more of the load at running back so it will be important for fellow defensive ends Morgan Calvert, and Shannon Manning to pick up the slack. If all else fails, the Desire may have to leave its corners on an island and blitz Danielle Hawkins and Randle all evening.
Control the ball
When Dallas has the ball they cannot be afraid of going at Brace and Schnoor. Thomas will be the primary ball carrier – with Week 2 star Sunshine Misa-Uli unavailable – but she won’t have to do it alone on Saturday. Shawnte Shiree, Cassie Ashley, and White all have shown the ability to move the sticks and the less that Seattle has the ball… the better. The sooner they establish the run, the quicker Coach Bullitt will be able to implement more play-action pass plays which could cause Brace and Schnoor to hesitate and expose the Seattle defense to bigger plays.
By now everyone that follows the LFL knows what Angel, Thomas, White, and Jade Randle are the stars for the Desire, but to pull off the home win it probably will take a big play from an unexpected source. Maybe it’s a key interception from cornerback Monika Jaramillo – who came to Dallas with high expectations but has been slowed by the after-effects of the concussion she suffered against L.A. — or Morgan Calvert with a momentum-changing touchdown catch.
![Dallas vs Austin]()
Angel
Angel
The only way that this game ends in victory for Dallas is if there are multiple names being discussed in the post-game wrap-up.
This season Dallas has exceeded all expectations but with a victory over the Goliath of the league, LFL fans will have to ask themselves one last question, is this the best team in the league… and the answer may be yes.
The post CAN DALLAS RISE TO THE OCCASION IN A MUST-WIN AGAINST THE MIST? appeared first on LFL360.