Game MVP Marirose Roach and company had to come from behind in front of a nearly packed home crowd in Trenton, NJ to stay undefeated and keep pace with the Tampa Breeze in the Eastern Conference.

There were several gutsy performances in this game including Philly’s league-leading quarterback Christie Bell playing with a broken throwing hand throughout the first half before being relieved by Roach in the 2nd half. Orlando also looked as if it was playing inspired football dedicating the game to fellow teammate Lindsey Alfano who did not make the trip because she is in the midst of cancer fight, her teammates all wore #2 arm-bands in her honor. The 2010 Fantasy squad really matured into a veteran-like team tonight behind the play of their savvy quarterback Veronica Moor and the emergence of Tiffani Hardin at running back.

Unfortunately for Orlando, the 1st half started like most Fantasy games in 2010 with their opponent jumping out to a big lead. In this case Philadelphia went up 21-6 on three Roach touchdowns, two on the ground as well as a touchdown reception from Bell. However unlike the rest of their games this season the Fantasy responded with a pair of touchdowns by Moor and Hardin, Moor led the way putting on a clinic with the most fundamentally sound quarterback performance of the LFL season. Along with league-leading wide receiver Jenny Krause, Orlando’s gutsy tight end JJ Thacker had 2 receptions for 22yds despite a broken-nose providing Orlando’s offense with another option for Moor in the passing game. The offense was well-balanced for Orlando with Tiffani Hardin taking over for the injury plagued Quiana Welch who has been playing the season on an injured knee that will need surgery in the offseason. Hardin provided Orlando’s running game a great mixture and power and speed finishing the game with 89yds on 14 carries.

Philadelphia executed well offensively although outside of Roach there was little production with Roach accounting for 100% percent of the offensive scoring. In the passing game, Philly’s Bell continued her All-Fantasy like season finishing with 4 of 7 for 42yds, despite playing with a broken throwing hand.

After 17 minutes of play, both teams were even matched in total yards with Orlando edging out Philly 118 to 111 with a score of 21 to 19. It was perhaps the best-played half of football all-season.

As the teams returned to the field for 2nd half play, you could sense the tension in the air as one of the season’s loudest crowds was on edge expecting their Passion to have blown out the Fantasy, but they led by only two. To compound the Passion fan’s anxiety, Orlando opened the second half with a 3 play 34 yd 3:01 minute drive to take their first lead of the season on any opponent at 26 to 21 to. Orlando had the best offensive scheme of any team this season with great play-calling from offensive coordinator Andre Cooper.

As Orlando took the lead early in the 2nd half, Philly found themselves losing to two opponents on the same night, one being a rejeuvinated Orlando squad and the other being the point differential gap between Philly and Tampa. Philly did respond when challenged in the 2nd half but once again it was on a pair of Roach touchdown run, which has to concern head coach Chandler Brown. Look for Tampa coach Yo Murphy or any remaining Philly opponent to ISO or spy roach, which could open up the offense for 2009 offensive weapon Tyrah Lusby.

Despite barely hanging on to beat an 0-3 Orlando, Philly moves into sole possession of 1st place in the Eastern Conference at 3-0 with Tampa being 2-0. Setting up the ‘Game of the Year, on January 13th in Tampa, although the face of that expected 3-0 vs. 3-0 match-up could change if an under-rated Miami Caliente team upsets Tampa on Dec. 17th.

For Orlando, an upset win in Philly to end the season would have been an incredible finish but Fantasy fans a glimpse of how good is team can be when all of the cylinders are working. A healthier Q Welch in 2011 coupled having a season under their belt and a core group of talent that is as good as any in the league with Moor, Kraus, Welch,
Thacker and Hardin could make for an exciting Playoff-caliber team in 2011.

Photo Credit: © Eddie Perlas/LFLUS.com

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