The Eastern Conference picture became a little clearer on a sultry night in South Beach as Philadelphia barely hung to win 27-26. Under palm trees and a rowdy Miami crowd, the 2010 Caliente premiered with an improved squad especially on defense while Philadelphia was eager to face their first real test of the season.

LFL analysts expected these two squads to challenge Tampa for supremacy in the east and both lived up to their billing. Despite the sometimes sloppy turnovers, both teams impressed with balanced offenses and much-improved defenses.

Philly came into the game having rolled over expansion Baltimore Charm 60-6 in their season opener behind the play of one of the most exciting rookie quarterbacks Christie Bell and another great rookie trio of Danielle Gassler, Heather Roy and Jalessa McCrary. With their rookie line-up Philly is now considered a loaded team with the return of 2009 All-Fantasy players Tyrah Lusby, Lauren La Bella and Donna Ferry.

Caliente nation also returned most of their key 2009 line-up including perhaps the most exciting quarterback to wide receiver combination in the league with Anonka Dixon to Tina Caccavale. Adding to their veterans is perhaps the most exciting rookie of the 2010 draft Etta Paul.

With two impressive rosters, the stage was set for what many anticipated a black-blue Eastern Conference battle. Philly jumped on Miami early to take a 13-0 lead quieting the Miami crowd and bringing back the defensive ghosts of the 2009 season that allowed offenses to shred their defense.

Philly rookie running back Marirose Roach who was the eventual Game MVP finished the game with 157yds on the ground (unofficial), taking simple pitch-out and screen passes to the house. Miami finally responded behind their veteran quarterback Anonka Dixon who found her favorite target Tina Caccavale for a 7yd score to bring the score to 13-7. Miami followed that score with a deep bomb to perhaps one of the most under-rated veteran wide receivers in the league, Taylor Thompson taking a 14-13 lead. The half ended with a Miami goal-line stand sacking Bell on the final play to preserve their lead.

The 2nd half featured more of the Anonka Dixon Experience including an aerial assault which included another deep bomb that dropped out of the sky perfectly hitting Thompson. Dixon also kept a couple Miami drives alive with her feet. On the Philly side it was more of the same with Roach runs and pass catching. A major concern for Philly should be a lack of production from anyone else on offense including Bell who was far from her impressive LFL debut, often struggling with her footwork and missing on the deep ball.

At certain points both teams appeared that they did not want to win this one with turnovers, dropped passes and interceptions. Despite her 1st half score, one of the most heralded names in the league was a disappointment in this game, Tina Caccavale. The All-Fantasy wide receiver/safety dropped a touchdown, a pair of extra point conversions and two easy interceptions that could have halted Philly drives.

Miami took a 26-19 late in the game lead as the Miami defense tightened up in the 2nd half creating short fields for their offense. That euphoria of a lead late in the game was short-lived as Philly put together a championship-like drive very late in the game to bring the score to 26-25 and an extra point conversion away from tying the score. Next came a decision that could either made or broke a season, especially considering it came against a team that Philly could easily be battling for the No.2 seed in late January. Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Chandler Brown had to make the decision to tie the game with an extra point conversion or go for two and the win on the road. With Miami’s 2nd half momentum, Coach Brown chose to go for the jugular and went to his ace Roach on a 5yd run for the 2pt conversion to take a 27-26 lead. That call Sean Payton/Super Bowl-like call could be the catalyst to a Philly championship season.

The Caliente offense did have a little over 2 minutes to try to orchestrate a late drive, but with Dixon going down with cramps in the previous series, all Miami could manage was a pair of runs until Thompson fumbled and Philly recovered.

Despite the loss, it was an impressive season opener for the Caliente as they came within a point of beating an elite team. Next for Caliente Nation is a October 29th showdown at UCF Arena with the Orlando Fantasy in potentially a must-win game to keep pace with Philly and Tampa.

For Philadelphia, a home date on Dec. 10th awaits them against the Orlando Fantasy. With a win against the Fantasy, Philly will build a legitimate case to be considered as good if not better than Tampa. In case your projecting….Philadelphia and Tampa meet on Jan 13th in Tampa.

Photo Credit: © Eddie Perlas/LFLUS.com

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