Blocking

Just browsing photos from the Houston game.  Offense on the field.  I'm looking for fun photos, photos you might enjoy.  After selecting a few to post, I wonder if there is a pattern.  And a pattern emerged. 

To spoil the suspense, I'll tell you up front that
Cookie got the pass away.  She did have a collision
with this tackler but didn't get knocked down.  This
is an example of what happens when the blockers
don't sustain the block.

Quarterbacks and running backs are smaller than defensive guards and tackles.  So football custom inserts offensive guards and tackles between the offensive backs and defensive line.  The job of the offensive line is to keep the defensive line from crushing the quarterback and running backs. 

Sometimes it works.

 

Tara Andrickson playing offense and doing a good job
of containing the Houston defender.

A couple previous posts featured Tara Andrickson as the Outlaws defensive player of the year.  I studied her play and suggested she might do well on offense.  When she saw the post she told me that in fact she did play a little offense.  Effectively, I might add.  She is featured in two of my blocking photos. 









The running back normally starts with a plan.  In the huddle the tell her where to run.  Hopefully the blockers will be successful clearing a path for her.  Things rarely go perfectly so the runner needs to identify where the path is.  And then blast through it fast!

In the foreground left, number 33, Tara Andrickson, is holding off
a larger defensive linewoman.  Deidra Hollad has the ball and
is checking the path Tara has opened for her.  Her job is to
blast through there in a second or two, quick enough to capitalize
 on Tara's block.  And she hopes Houston number 74 doesn't
notice what's happening. 

Number 14 is Deidra Holland, taking the hand off from
quarterback Cookie Rivas and hoping number 50 Malia
Capers-Cristobal will be able to sustain her block for
just a couple more seconds.

Normally you have large offensive linewomen blocking large defensive linewomen.  But everyone has to block.  If you're a back who isn't carrying the ball, you're expected to participate in the blocking.  Ideally, the line takes care of the bigger defenders and the backs either pick off a blitzing defensive back or linebacker, or run ahead of the running back clearing away any stray tacklers. 

 

 

 

This looks like a passing play.  Whether a pass or a run, backs are expected to block, to protect
the quarterback or ball carrier.  Cookie, the quarterback, looks pretty safe, doesn't she?
I don't know the outcome of this play.  I just liked the photo.

 

 

  Sometimes, though, you have a small back going against a large defensive                   linewoman.  In most cases that can be a problem.  However, if the smaller black is Charmeine Jackson I'm ready to bet the defender won't be making a tackle.  Even giving away a hundred pounds, Jackson is super strong and likely to win any one-on-one contest. 

Number 22 is Charmeine Jackson.  She works out a lot and
is extremely strong, extremely tough.  Even against a
large defender, my money is on Jackson.

 

 

 In a previous post I noticed how fast things happen in football.  The quarterback has about three seconds to do something with the ball.  Likewise the runners have about three seconds to get the ball and blast through the path opened by her blockers.  And Griff, the punter, has about three seconds to get her kick in the air.  That means the blockers need to contain the defense for three seconds. 

 

Griff punting.  Blockers successful in keeping the defender
at bay.  Barely.  But barely is okay.

 

Sounds easy, doesn't it.  Only three seconds.  But three seconds is a long time.  If you're trying to control a two hundred pound athlete who is quick and strong, three seconds is forever.  And what happens if the blocker maintains the block for two seconds?

 

This is Griff the punter again.  This time the blocking didn't hold long enough.  I think this
is a case where the snap from center wasn't true and Griff used up her three seconds
retrieving the ball.  If the blocking doesn't work, things can go hard on the punter.

If the blocking doesn't work, things can go hard on the runner.  Deidra Hollad getting caught
in the middle of two Houston defenders.  I selected this photo because it is a great
action shot.  These ladies play some serious football.

What happens when blockers can't sustain their blocks?  Runners and punters find themselves being handled roughly by unfriendlies. 

More Tara Andrickson Photos

Tara Andrickson was the Outlaws defensive player of the year, 2012.  In my last post I featured photos of Tara.  Here are a few more.

Tara working out, sit-ups.  Furrowed brow
suggest effort.  Stoic expression.  Focused.
Businesslike.

I don't really know Tara.  She seems quiet, stoic.  If you  know her feel free to add comments to this blog post and enlighten me.  Now understand that I like quiet, stoic.  A businesslike approach to the game.  Even to prepping for the game building strength, doing sit-ups, hitting the blocking pad. 

 

 

Practice running the ball, running over would be tacklers.
This is Tara with the ball, Lily with the blocking pad.  Once
again, I'm seeing a focused, hard working football player.
Businesslike.

Tara, #33, eye on the ball, looking pas the blocker.

All I know of Tara I've learned viewing action photos.  She appears focused, eye on the ball, taking a bead on the ball carrier.

Same game but another play.  Tara has passed the line and
is ready to take on the blocking back.

 

Tara looking for the ball carrier.  Blockers trying to keep
her away from the running back.  She often has several
blockers working on her.

In my photos she is often surrounded by opposing players.  She seems to attract blockers.  She manages to break through the line of scrimmage and becomes a problem for the blocking back, players with smaller numbers on their jerseys.

 

Number 14 is a running back.  Tara has eluded the line and
reached the second level of protection for the quarterback.

Football is a physical fight.  My photos show Tara engaging the blockers, doing combat. 

 

Tara, lower left, getting a hold on the runner and then being joined in the tackle by
about six other Outlaws. 

When Tara gets past the line, when she fights off the backfield blocker(s), she knows how to stop the runner.  Sometimes she hangs on until help arrives.  Other times she just brings the runner down on her own.  Either way, Tara is an effective defender. 

Tara bring the runner down all by herself. 
This is the first of two photos shot about a half-second apart.  I like this one because I'm
intrigued at all the tattoos on the running back.  And by the lack of tattoos on Tara.  I'll
comment further on this at the end of this post. 

The second of the two photos of this solo tackle by Tara.  I included this second shot because
I like the runner looking at the camera, kind of wide-eyed, seeming to say
"What hit me!?"

Now I'm going to get myself in trouble just a little.  Just for fun.  I've admitted often in this blog that I'm not a coach.  That just isn't something I could do.  If I showed the players everything I know, it would take up about five minutes in a practice, if I spoke slowly.  I could show them how to do the three-point stance.  I could explain how to get low to control the opponent. 

But not being able to coach doesn't keep me from giving advice to the Outlaws coaches.  Which they wisely ignore.

In a previous post to this blog I opined offensive and defensive players are different.  Not just in their roles but in their personalities.  Offensive players are naturally neat.  Defensive players are naturally messy.  I presented some arguments to support my point and suggested it just makes sense.  Offensive comes with a plan and tries to do things in an orderly fashion to accomplish the plan.  Defense just wants to mess things up. 

Offense - neat.  Defense - messy.

After viewing my photos of Tara, I've decided Tara is neat. 

She is quiet, stoic, businesslike, focused. 

Tara should be playing offense.  If I were a running back (talk about an absurd idea!) I'd want Tara out front of me.  Tara is a strong player.  Tara will do whatever she is asked to do.  She'll play defense if you ask her do.  And she'll do it right well thank you.  But Tara belongs on offense.  She was born to block. 

Just my opinion.

 

 

 

Tara Andrickson, Defensive Player of the Year

Visit the Outlaws website and you'll learn things about the team. 

Tara Andrickson.
She doesn't look fearsome, does
she?  But there's an aura about her.
I keep my distance.  (This photo
was shot with my telephoto lens
from a safe distance.)

I learned Tara Andrickson was named defensive player of the 2012 season.  I wondered if I have any good shots of Tara in action.  And I found a few.  Quite a few.  So I figured she might make a good subject for a blog posting.  Or two postings.  I have more photos than fit reasonably in one post so I'm going to do two. 

This isn't one of my player profiles.  I've never met Tara.  Seen her on the field a lot but we've never talked.  I've told you I'm kinda shy.  I didn't even know her name until I saw the photo on the Outlaws website. 

So I've been quietly hanging around shooting action photos, some of which were Tara. I do find her interesting.  She might make a good subject for a player profile.  If you see her, ask her if she'd be willing to talk with me.  I'd ask her myself but I'm shy. 

Tara is #33 and generally lines up on the right side of the defensive line.  She's not small but not among the bigger players in the league.  So she often is facing blockers who have a substantial weight advantage.

Tara often lined up against blockers who were
much bigger than she.

 

In spite of the size differential, she manages to elude the blockers.  And sometimes opponents resort to breaking the rules to keep her away from the running back.  Like holding.  (Note a previous post about breaking the rules sometimes being a good idea.)

 

Yes, holding is illegal.  Wonder if the official saw
the foul.  Difficult to catch the runner when you're being held.

 

Another technique other teams use to keep Tara away from the ball carrier is doubling up.  Two blockers versus one Tara. 

 

Doubling up on Tara.  Makes it tough to get into the backfield.

 

A lot of gray jerseys between Tara and the quarterback.

Fighting off two blockers.  When two are blocking Tara, another Outlaw may go unblocked.

Unlike holding, ganging up is perfectly legal.  But when two blockers are required to contain one defender that means there may be another defender who isn't being blocked at all.

In spite of the best efforts by opponents, Tara managed to elude the blockers and avoid being held.  All she had to do then was catch the runner. 

 

A big challenge for a line player to chase down a
fleet-footed running back. 

 

And sometimes she caught the runner.  In fact, she caught enough runners to make her one of the leading tacklers on the Outlaws team.

 

Gotcha!  Gonna take the ball while I take
you down.

 

Somehow the runner managed to hang onto the ball.  But she definitely is on the ground. 
See why Tara intimidates me?

 

 

I have a few more shots of Tara.  I'll post them in a few days. 

 

 

 

Tryouts Tomorrow

Right now you're probably asking yourself how you can get featured in this blog. 

Try out for the Outlaws tomorrow. 

Here's a link to the Outlaws Facebook page where you can get the details about the tryouts.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Austin-Outlaws-Women's-Football/120676341340196#!/events/387103554677691/


This blog was established in honor of the wonderful wacky wild women who play NFL-rules full-contact football.  Every post is either about the players or the fans or some related topic.  If you're an Austin Outlaw you have a good chance to get featured in the blog. 

Trying out is fun.  You get to see how fast you can run. 

Actually is isn't a race.  You're running to establish
your own time.  But athletes are naturally competitive. 
 

You get to see how many sit ups you can do. 

So much fun!

You get to see how far you can jump. 

Do orange shoelaces improve jumping distance?

Football is fun.  I'm convinced football has replaced baseball as the all American sport.  Starting in August and continuing through the Superbowl, football monopolizes the sports pages, television, fans.  Watching the game is fun.  Playing is more fun. 

If you're female, you probably haven't had much opportunity to play football.  Maybe your brothers or male cousins let you play in one of their pick-up games.  On condition you don't ask special treatment.  Playing against a bunch of guys isn't really going to give you a real appreciation of the game.  Better to play against a bunch of women.  But it is rare you can find twenty-one other women to put on pads, cleats, helmets... and go mix it up.

Well, Lily Messina, Outlaws founder, has taken care of that.  Come try out for the Outlaws and you will get the opportunity to play that wonderful game.  And you'll find out why the game is so popular.

See how much fun they're having?  And this is just during tryouts.  Or is this a practice session?

I've interviewed lots of Outlaws to find out why women play football.  The love of the game is a big reason.  Breaking stereotypes came up frequently.  Doing what people say you can't do. 

Outlaw players are nice people.

A big bonus is the camaraderie.  The women and fans of the Outlaws are some really nice people.  After a few weeks working out in practices, the Outlaws become practically family. 






So come on over to Pflugerville tomorrow and check it out.  And if you have any athletic lady friends who are a bit bigger than average, bring them along.  Football loves BIG. 


 

Who knows, some day you may get famous. Someday you may get featured in this blog.  Hint - it helps if you wear chartreuse shoes.

How Did They Get So Good?

Saturday the San Diego Surge defeated the Chicago Force 40-36 to win the Women's Professional Football Alliance 2012 championship.  The game was "televised" on ESPN-3 which I watched on my computer as a live feed because I couldn't find it on televsion.  

It was one great football game.  San Diego led early, then trailed going into the closing three minutes.  They scored twice to take a four point lead.  Chicago took over at their own five yard line with a minute-and-a-half left on the clock.  Three long pass completions and it was Chicago ball around the San Diego twenty-five with about thirty seconds left.  It looked like the Force would pull it out but a San Diego interception stopped the drive and sealed the victory for the Surge.

As I watched in some awe, I kept asking myself  how did they get so good? 

Let me quickly qualify my comments.  I've been following the Outlaws for several years and I am a fan and friend.  Lily Messina, one of the team founders, is high on a pedestal in my eyes.  It is amazing what she and her team have accomplished. 

It is incredibly difficult to field a competitive football team of volunteer players with annual turnover of forty percent or more replaced by rookies who may have never played tackle football in their lives, coached by volunteer coaches who are given limited time to coach because everyone has to go to work every day at a regular job. Season after season I've seen Lily produce teams with new faces on players and coaches and still ranking from good to very good.  The Outlaws always put on a good game. 

Nothing I say about the Surge and the Force and the Diamonds should be interpreted to diminish my respect for the Outlaws.  Rather, I am awed that these top tier teams manage to achieve such excellence while living with the same obstacles as the Outlaws.

How did they get so good?

I don't know.  Someday maybe I'll travel to Dallas and Chicago and San Diego and Boston and interview team owners. 

I suspect one factor is size of market.  The Chicago Force comes from the third largest city in the US.  San Diego from the eighth.  Dallas from the ninth - but if you include Fort Worth the combined population of the metroplex would rank them the fifth largest city.  Austin comes in at thirteenth. 

Having a large population suggests you have a larger number of prospective players and greater chance of recruiting serious talent.

Aside:  Outlaws will soon be recruiting for the 2013 season.  Now is time to start looking around you for women who are athletic, who are big, who are strong, who might enjoy being a part of this football experience.  In spite of best efforts to spread the word, there is still a majority of people in the Austin area who don't even know we have a women's professional football team.  Please spread the word.

My first observation Saturday was just how good these teams were.  A few more observations.

At this championship level of play, I saw fundamentals at work.  A fundamental of football is the player who gets lower has the edge.  If you can drive your shoulder into the mid-section of an opponent, you're going to control the opponent.  If you tackle around the legs you're going to be more effective than standing upright and trying to wrestle the runner to the ground.  This is fundamental football.  It is also (apparently) difficult to learn, difficult to coach.  In both teams Saturday, I saw tacklers meet the runner by dropping a shoulder and aiming for the belt buckle.  I saw blockers lining up lower. 

Another fascinating observation for me was the kicking game.  Or lack thereof.  Even at this championship level, kicking was a weakness.  I saw teams try to go for it on fourth and long because they didn't trust their punting.  I saw one team, don't remember which, try quick kicks in punting situations.  Rather than have the punter drop back and take the traditional two-and-one-half steps, they lined up in normal play formation.  The ball was snapped to the quarterback who quickly kicked it over the heads of the line aiming for an open spot in the defense backfield. 

Is kicking that difficult?  Yes. 

I've tried kicking and I can tell you it isn't easy.  Watching NFL and college kickers amazes me.  How do they do it?  In women's football kicking is a weakness.  Makes me want to go sexist and say women just aren't built for kicking.  But I've already admitted I can't kick a football and I'm a man.

My final observation was the passing game.  Both teams completed some long passes.  I was impressed at how far the quarterbacks could throw.  And at how well they were able to hit an open receiver.  But more than that, I thought about how difficult it is to defend against a good passing attack.  I suspect the defensive backs have the most difficult job in football.  They have to cover a prospective receiver and, ideally, stay between the receiver and the goal line.  Which is difficult because the receiver knows what route she's going to take.  If you're the defender, you are trying to be closer to the goal than the receiver, which means the receiver is behind you.  So you have to watch over your shoulder or maybe have a rear view mirror attached to your helmet.

Several times in the game Saturday the receiver had a step or two on the defender and the quarterback lofted the ball so only the receiver could catch it.  Who then romped to the end zone.

I didn't see either team practice the technique common in the NFL, of hitting the receiver before she gets started on her route.  Within five yards of the line of scrimmage, the receiver is just another player and the defender can "block" her, hit her at will.  If the defensive back can lay a good hit on the receiver before the receiver moves five yards, that can spoil her route, spoil the timing between quarterback and receiver, and give the defensive line time to rush the quarterback.  I didn't see defenders greeting receivers at the line of scrimmage. 

Note that after five yards it is a penalty for the defensive back to touch the receiver. 

It was a great football game.  Really fun to watch.  If we can get this level of play in all the WFA games, the sport of women's professional football could gain stature among sports fans everywhere.  If we could all be as good as the Diamonds, the Surge, the Force.  But how? 

How did they get so good?

Dallas Diamonds Eliminated; Amazing!

(Note:  The Dallas Diamonds photos posted today are taken from their game at Austin this season, not from the playoff game in San Diego.)

Well, I predicted the Dallas Diamonds would defeat the San Diego Surge in their semi-final game yesterday (Saturday, July 21).   Statistically, they looked to me to have the edge - see my post And Now There are Four.  But statistics are difficult to read because teams play in different divisions with different levels of competition. The league seeded San Diego above the Dallas and that turned out to be right.

The final score Saturday was San Diego 56, Dallas 29.  Remarkable.  Dallas has been totally dominating all opponents, averaging 70+ points per game and giving up only 7.  Who would imagine anyone would hold them to 29 and score 56 against them? 

The other winner in Saturday's semi-final games was the Chicago Force, winning 35-34 over the Boston Militia.  

Rubi Reyna said in her profile published in this blog last week Outlaw  "Offense sells tickets, defense wins ballgames."  The outcome of this season supports her comment. 

Defense wins ballgames.  Dallas had a great defense.

The two teams who will play in the championship game led the league in defense - the Surge was number one allowing only 2 points per game and the Force number two allowing 6 points per game.  It is a compliment to the Diamonds that they scored 29 against the number one defense in the WFA.  The Diamonds ranked number three on defense, allowing 7 points per game.

Dallas offense was the best in the league this season.

On offense, the Diamonds, Force, Surge, and Militia respectively ranked one through four in points scored.   So the teams who did best during the season are the teams who survived to the semi-finals.  No big surprise there.   

The top seeded teams, who had home field advantage, won all of the playoff games.  Which suggests either the seeding was quite accurate or home field advantage really is significant. 

The season now comes down to one game, the San Diego Surge versus the Chicago Force.   I'm reluctant to select a winner but I can't resist.  Neither team will have a home field advantage because the game will be played at a neutral site.  Through the season, Chicago ranked ahead of San Diego on offense - the two teams finished  second and third with Chicago scoring 56 points per game and San Diego 54.

On defense, San Diego led the league allowing 2 points per game.  Chicago was second allowing 6. 

In their semi-final games, San Diego won decisively (56-29) over a strong Dallas team.  Chicago edged out a slightly less impressive Boston team (35-34). 

Now you know as much as I do about the final game.  I'm picking San Diego.  Because they ranked higher on defense - Rubi is right, defense wins ballgames, and because they defeated a great Dallas team.  If they can beat the Diamond, they can beat anyone.

If you'd like to do your own analysis, check out the Women's Football Alliance website and in particular study the statistics section.  It is interesting.

The final game will be played August 4 at the home field of the Pittsburgh Steelers and will be televised on ESPN 3.  You can get details on the WFA website (link above).

Cookie will agree, the Dallas defense was outstanding in 2012.

  Let's congratulate the Diamonds. I found them to be a class group of athletes and an outstanding football team.

And Now There Are Four - Dallas in Playoffs

Saturday the Dallas Diamonds defeated the Kansas City Tribe 55-35 in their quarter-final contest.  They are now one victory away from the WFA (Women's Football Alliance) championship game. 

They just have to defeat San Diego Surge next Saturday in San Diego.

The winner of that game will play in the WFA championship game in Pittsburgh August 4 at Heinz Field, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The game will be televised on ESPN 3. It will be the first time a women's professional football game has been played in an NFL stadium.

In a previous post (July 6) I gave you some background on the playoffs and why I'm pulling for the Dallas Diamonds.  They're a classy team with a lot of talent.  What are their chances of defeating San Diego?  Pretty good. 

Dallas offense ended the season number one in the WFA in points scored, 74.1 per game, while their defense allowed only 4.2 points per game.  San Diego's offense scored an average of 55.8 points while their defense gave up only 1.5.  I read that as a slight edge to Dallas.  I subtracted points allowed from points scored and that gave Dallas a net of 69.9 and San Diego a net of 54.2.



Quarterback Brittany Bushman with the ball.  Looks
like a pass play.  She's good at those.

The Dallas Quarterback, Brittany Bushman, led the league in passing yardage with 2061 yards on the season.  She completed 58% of her passes, 118 of 201 attempts, and gained an average of 17.5 yards per completion.  Her quarterback ranking was 128.7.

The San Diego Quarterback, Melissa Gallegos, ranked number 8 in passing yardage completing 58.7% of her passes, 81 of 137 attempts and 13.4 yards per completion average.  Her quarterback ranking was102.2.  So again, slight edge to Dallas.

Tiffany Hill, #21, Fourth ranked ball carrier in the league.

Dallas had two running back ranked in the league top twenty.  Tiffany Hill ranked #4 with 958 yards, averaging 12 yards per carry and scoring 18 touchdowns.

Brittany Satterwhite ranked #19 with 637 yards and an average of 15.2 yards per carry and scoring 9 touchdowns.

Brittany Satterwhite - sorry I don't have
a better photo.  She was a league top
twenty runner and receiver.

San Diego had two runners in the top twenty, Monique Zaky, ranked #14 and Cassey Brick ranked #20.  Zaky averaged 10 yards per carry and scored 9 TDs.  Brick 9.8 yards per carry and a dozen TDs. 

Not too shabby.  But again a slight edge to Dallas. 

In pass receptions, Dallas had three players in the league top twenty, Brittany Satterwhite ranked #1 in receiving yardage and #2 in receptions. Umeki Webb ranked #15 in yardage and #9 in number of receptions.  And Alberta Brydson ranked #9 in yardage and #16 receptions. 

San Diego had just one receiver in the top twenty, Holly Peterson who ranked #12 in yardage and #15 in number of  receptions. Advantage Dallas.

#81 Umeki Webb jumping to catch a pass.

#24 Alberta Brydson settling in under a pass.  She makes the catch.

Tired of numbers?  So am I.  You can visit the Women's Football Alliance website and study a lot of numbers, enough to make a CPA happy.

Predicting outcomes in interdivisional games is difficult because divisions have wide variations in talent and competition.   The numbers were posted against different opponents so shouldn't be relied upon as absolute. 

Another consideration - in the quarter-final round of playoffs, the home teams won every game.  Two reasons - one is the team with the best record for the season gets home field advantage so theoretically the home team is the better team.  Two, supportive crowds in the stands energize players on the field.  Is isn't automatic that home field wins but there is a home field advantage.  Advantage San Diego.

So, in my little analysis above Dallas has an advantage.  But San Diego has home field meaning someone smarter than I has compared the records and seeded them the better team. 

Other factors - Dallas has won championships in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2008 - so they do know how to win.  And they are from Texas - we all know Texas is better than California. 

Support the Diamonds
This post is getting long.   Let's close with a suggestion that fans of the Outlaws, fans of women's professional football, donate a little money to the Diamonds.  Travel to San Diego and then Pittsburgh is expensive.  Here's a link to the Diamonds Facebook page.

And if you'd like an excuse to take a little vacation trip to California, maybe head to San Diego next weekend and cheer on our divisional champ.

The Post Season

Want to see some football?  There's a big game in Dallas tomorrow, Saturday July 7, as the Dallas Diamonds take on the Kansas City Tribe in a quarterfinal contest in the WFL (Women's Football League) playoffs. 

You may recall Dallas kind of dominated our division this season, defeating the Outlaws twice by a combined score of... well, we don't have to go there.  It wasn't pretty.  I observed some Diamonds' good sportsmanship following the game in Austin and that inspired a "nice people" theme I've used and will continue to use in this blog. 

Nice people - After the Diamonds won over the Outlaws, they
extended the traditional hand-shake line to go to the sidelines
and greet injured Outlaw Stephanie Marshall, and her young
friend. I decided then and there I like the Diamonds.

I'm pulling for the Diamonds to go all the way. 

The playoffs began June 23 with eight games played across the country on both coasts and north and south.  The Diamonds had a bye that day but another team we know and love, the Lone Star Mustangs, played and destroyed the Arkansas Wildcats 70-0. 

Action shot from Austin-Mustangs game.  Mustangs won both
games with Outlaws this season and are a good solid team.

On June 30 the four "bye" teams were in action as eight more games were played.  If you're not familiar with sports playoff protocol, it is common for the teams who finish the season with the best records to get a "bye" in the first round of playoff games - they don't have to play and automatically advance to the second round. 

In the June 30 second round the Mustangs faced the Diamonds with high hopes after their stunning 70-0 victory over Arkansas.  It was no contest.  The Diamonds won easily, 76-0. 

 Meanwhile the Kansas City Tribe, who also had a bye the first round, won their game with St. Louis 42-17.  Setting up Saturday's game, the Tribe vs Diamonds. 

The tribe finished their season undefeated and averaged 52 points per game.  The Diamonds averaged 74 points per game.  Dallas allowed opponents only 4 points per game while Kansas allowed 11. 

It is difficult to pick winners in these inter-divisional games because there is such a wide range of ability in teams.  Witness the Mustangs winning their first game 70-0 and losing the next 0-76.  The competition level isn't consistent and that makes early playoff games unpredictable.  However, based just on the little information reported here, I favor the Diamonds to win big over Kansas.

There are four quarter-final  games scheduled this weekend.  The four winners will go on to two semi-finals games next weekend.  Based on season records four of the best teams in the league remain standing - isn't that how it is supposed to happen? - and the games should be competitive and interesting.

The two winners of the semi-final games will play in the championship on August 4 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, home of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  The game will be televised on ESPN 3.  If you get to see the game, live or on TV, you can smile and say your Austin Outlaws were part of that.  And you can imagine what future seasons will be as our team of rookies gains experience and victories.  One day that could be Austin in the championship game.

You can read all about the post season at the WFA Website.

And you can visit the Dallas Diamonds at their website.  Or better still, try their Facebook page. 

Rough Season

I'm an Outlaws fan.  Before I post a photo I make certain it reflects positively on my team.  If I have photos of the team doing poorly, you aren't going to see them. 

This has been a rough season.  A rebuilding season with something like 70% rookies.  I browse my photos looking for happy ones.  And I find a few.  And I'm going to post some here today. 

First I want to look on the sunny side just a little bit.  Saturday the Outlaws lost to the Dallas Diamonds.  The Outlaws scored six points.  In four of their six previous games the Diamonds held their opponent to zero points.  Two teams scored eight - which I take to be a touchdown with two-point conversion.  The Outlaws scored six.

But there's more - establishing your offense is the most difficult job when building a new team.  Defenses do stunts, line up in funny places.  You'll think you're making the block and someone is sneaking around behind your back.  Offense takes a long time to get organized.  This season the Outlaws scored in their first game and were then shut out in four straight games.  Like I said, offense is difficult.  Last Saturday we scored nineteen points at Tulsa, against a team about evenly matched with the Outlaws.  This Saturday we scored six against the toughest team in the league. 

That, ladies and gentlemen, is progress. 

Okay, let's take a look at some photos from the Mustangs game, four weeks ago.  I'm starting with two two-photo sets.  They're going to look a little alike but they're two separate plays.  I'm posting them because of good blocking by the Outlaws.  This season has seen a lot of problems keeping tacklers away from the ball carriers but in these two photo-sets, the blocking was good!

In the first photo below, notice where the ball is and where the Mustang defender is, just to the left.  I suspect she is offside.  Generally the ball gets to the quarterback before the defense.  Cookie hasn't even caught the snap from the center and she's already in trouble.

But there's some help for Cookie.  Look at the photo below.  Number 56, Maile Capers-Cristobal, made the block and gave Cookie time to throw her pass.  Notice, too, the blocking on the right side of the Outlaws line is effective.  They just have to hold the attackers for about three seconds.  Sounds easy.  It isn't.

The two photos below tell a similar story.  In the first, the would-be tackler is well ahead of the ball.  Definitely offside.  But Maile gets between tackler and quarterback.  In the second photo the official gets between the camera and the action - I keep telling them to stop doing that!   But you'll see the blockers are protecting the quarterback.

Next is a series showing Cookie's talent at quarterback.  The blocking is pretty good in this series but Cookie's elusiveness and quickness is what intrigued me most.  There are four photos in the series.  The first has Cookie slipping out of the backfield while her blockers occupy most of the would-be tacklers.  I see one threat, a sneaky tackler between Outlaws numbers 55 and 62. 

In the second photo, Cookie swerves left attempting to avoid the Mustang linebacker.

I find myself cheering at my computer as I run these photos in sequence.  Even though I was at the game and I know this didn't go for a score, I'm cheering for Cookie. Even though, in the photo below, she appears to be in the grasp of the tackler.

She almost escapes.  Almost.  In the next and final photo of the series I'm showing her appearing to get loose. 

The tackler has enough of a hold on her that Cookie hits the turf. I'm not posting that photo (see my opening paragraph to this blog.)  It was exciting even several days later away from the field and in front of my photo-editor.

One more just for fun.  Cookie had a tough day against the Mustangs.  The blocking didn't always hold.  The Mustangs were good. 

I think I'll call this final photo, "Soft Landing."  If you're going to be stopped by the tacklers, it is good if you can find a soft place to land. 

Last game of the season is coming up Saturday.  Let's support the Outlaws.  They're getting better with experience.  It would be great to end the season with a win.