There is only one word to describe the Majestics’ dominance in this early-season game to determine the power on the West Coast: “Team”.
The Sirens’ powerful offense met the Majestics’ overwhelming defense Saturday in what was billed as a knock-down-drag out, every-play-counts battle to the last down played. What unfolded was a team whose total package was better than the sum of its parts, asserting its collective will.
The Sirens scored first after they had deferred to the second half and kicked off to the Majestics. Special team returner Camille Head returned to the Majestics’ 29-yard line. The Sirens defense intercepted a pass. Their offense took little time in scoring. The kick was good, but a Majestics penalty allowed for another play and the Sirens ran the ball in for two-point conversion. Sirens 8, Majestics 0.
Quarterback Michel Volk then took over in the huddle ad calmed the Majestics’ offense down, leading to 33 unanswered points. The running back onslaught began. Rachel Gore, Shanna “McCrackin” McCarron, and Crystal “Air Force” Sanderson pounded the ball down the field. Gore scored and McCarron’s kick was good. The first quarter ended Sirens 8, Majestics 7
The offense added Adrienne Wilson and Crystal Brown to the running and passing arsenal. The Sirens’ defense stopped the Majestics’ outside running attack so Seattle changed tactics and found the middle of the Sirens’ defense. Sanderson, McCarron and Gore pounded for long drive after long drive. They followed the offensive line’s blocking with patience, running through the massive holes created for them. The O-line owned the line of scrimmage. When the Sirens did make stops, the Majestics just made the next play better and better. Seattle had more than 320 yards on the ground.
The Seattle defense found a common will and shut down Sacramento’s big running game. Jenni Ann Quan, Amy Williams, Ashlee Sharp, and QB Chantelle Powers had nowhere to go or hide. If the defense was not making the offense run sideline to sideline, they were pushing the running backs into the QB making tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Kasey Rivas, Gail Pitman, Heather Gallemore, Andreana Campolo, Shannon Fitch, Faatuises Sesepasara, Lisa Tavarez, and Gretchen Pietras all had standout games.
In the second quarter Volk found a passing game with a TD pass to Camille Head and the Majestics were up 13-8 at the half.
Both teams made halftime adjustments, but the Majestics soon figured the Sirens out and further exercised the team speed and strength. With long drives which ended in 2 TD runs by McCarron (one kick good, one kick failed) the Majestics were up 26-8. The last score came with a long run by Sanderson behind solid blocking and put the Majestics up 33-8.
The Sirens were forced to play most of the game in their own territory, punting to the Majestics’ Head, who multiple times was able to get to the sideline and around the corner for long returns (22 and 27 yards). Heather Gallemore and Gretchen Pietras distrupted the Siren punter’s rhythm. The offense kept going with running back Christine Lam and the O-line running out the clock.
(Submitted by Sandi Edwards)
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