SASKATOON SHOCKS LFL WORLD WITH 22-18 STUNNER OVER BC

As more and more people lined up outside Credit Union Centre forcing a delayed kickoff it became evident that there would be great fan support in Saskatoon, now they just needed an epic upset win over the No.1 ranked BC Angels.

This was an Angels team that dismantled the Regina Rage 41-18 the week prior behind 108 yards of rushing by Stephanie Manou coupled with a great debut for quarterback Mary Anne Hanson who threw for three touchdown strikes. Fast forward one week, Manou was held to only 44 yards while Hanson was forced into throwing 2 interceptions and only completed 6 for 16.

It was evident from the 1st drive that this Sirens squad was greatly under-estimated especially the US infusion of free agents that included perhaps the best duo of any team across LFL Global with Heather Furr and Anne Erler known as ‘Furrler’. The dynamic duo combined for 2 interceptions and 2 passing touchdowns. Alongside Furrler, US free agent Ogom Chijundu grinded out crucial yards rushing for 50 yards on a mere 4 carries with an incredible average of 12.5 yards per rush. While the final US free agent Tamar Fennell was held to only 44 yards on 13 carries, Fennell did contribute with 3 receptions and served as a decoy at times.

The thousands that continued to arrive after kickoff were thrilled by Furrler as Furr intercepted Hanson early in the 1st quarter and the drive ended with Furrler combining for their first score to give Saskatoon an 8-0 lead at the end of the 1st quarter.

BC did answer behind the combination of Manou and Schnoor rushing attack for a 8 play 44 yard drive that ended with a Schnoor 2 yard touchdown run to cut the Sirens lead to 8-6 with 3:28 left in the first half. It became evident early that BC Angels head coach Kevin Snell had little confidence in Hanson’s arm as he chose to emphasize the run.

After BC’s score Furrler once again set up the Sirens this time with an Erler interception leading to yet another Erler to Furr touchdown pass with only :54 seconds remaining in the half to take a commanding 16-6 halftime lead.

At halftime shouts and furniture thrown could be heard throughout the concourse coming from the BC locker room, here was the pre-season No. 1 ranked team that destroyed Regina a week earlier down 16-6 to the No.4 ranked Sirens.

The 2nd half started a lot like the 1st half with Saskatoon orchestrating a 5 play 40 yard drive capped with a Tamar Fennell run to push the Saskatoon lead to 22-12 with 2:50 left in the 3rd, threatening to blow the game wide open. The following drive drew the most controversial call of the young LFL Canada season when Aleissa Garcia of BC clearly caught a Hanson pass and made a football move than proceeded to fumble yet Garcia was called down on the play.

BC capitalized on this officiating blunder with a Hanson to Christine Moore 29 yard pass play that was a clear assignment error in the Sirens’ secondary as no one was within 10 yards of Moore. The score revitalized BC and brought them back into the game at 12-22. After Saskatoon’s offense failed to extend their drive BC took over on downs and Hanson connected with Jessica Hopkins for a 18 yard touchdown pass drawing to within 18-22 with 2:42 left. The score set the stage for the BC defense which had been on its heels all-night to make a stand and get the ball back. However, Anne Erler masterfully guided the Saskatoon offense on a 8 play 31 yard clock-draining drive to preserve their 22 to 18 shocker.

On this night, BC was out-coached and their weakness’ exposed which was inexperience and inconsistent quarterback play. Worse for BC, now every team has a blueprint on how to beat the Angels. Just when BC thought the need could not get worse, potential all-star and dominant defensive weapon Stevie Schnoor is feared to have sustained a torn MCL/ACL. Schnoor will opt to hold off on surgery and simply focus on rehab in hopes of being ready for the Sept. 29th game.

Next up for Saskatoon a road-trip to Toronto on Sept. 15th and for BC they now get an opportunity to lick their wounds and great ready for the marquee match-up of the LFL Canada season when they host Toronto on Sept. 29th at home.

final stats
	BC	SASKATOON
Score	18	22
first downs	11	14
rushes-yds (net)	13-58	26-140
passing yds (net)	91	34
passes att-comp-int	16-6-2	12-6-0
total offense plays-yds	29-149	40-174
fumble returns-yds	0-0	0-0
punt returns-yds	0-0	0-0
kickoff returns-yds	0-0	0-0
interception returns-yds	0-0	2-39
punts (number-avg	0-0.0	0-0.0
fumbles-lost	0-0	0-0
penalties-yds	2-15	4-20
possession time	11:55	20:05
third-down conversions	2/4	1/6
fourth-down conversions	0/1	2/5
red-zone scores-chances	2/2	3/7

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SASKATOON SHOCKS LFL WORLD WITH 22-18 STUNNER OVER BC

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