As the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) playoffs kick off, the Minnesota Vixen are set to host the Mile High Blaze in what promises to be an exciting Round 1 matchup. The Vixen, entering the playoffs as the favorites, will leverage their home field advantage at Polar Stadium to try and secure a decisive victory. Here's a preview of the game, including key stats and players to watch.
Minnesota Vixen: The Favorites
The Minnesota Vixen have had a standout season, and their statistics reflect their dominance. Leading the charge is quarterback Erin Kelley (passer rating 107.9), who has been instrumental in driving the offense with her precision passing and leadership on the field. Kelley's ability to connect with wide receiver Jackie Radford (42 receptions for 529 yards and 9 TDs), who has consistently made big plays, has been a significant factor in the Vixen’s success.
On the ground, the Vixen boast a powerful dual running back threat with Sarah Rosche and Johanna Vermohlen with a combined rushing yards for 998 yards and 14 TD's. Rosche's ability to break tackles and gain crucial yards combined with Vermohlen's speed and agility make them a formidable duo. Their balanced attack keeps defenses on their toes, allowing the Vixen to control the pace of the game.
On defense, the Vixen have shown resilience and toughness. Defensive back Sam Barber has been a standout performer, leading the team with 36 solo tackles and contributing 3 interceptions. Barber’s ability to read the game and make crucial stops has been vital to the Vixen’s defensive success.
For more detailed stats on the Minnesota Vixen, visit their official stats page.
Mile High Blaze: The Challengers
The Mile High Blaze come into the playoffs as underdogs but have shown resilience throughout the season. The Blaze have been averaging 199 yards per game in rushing but only 42 yards per game on passing so look for them to establish the run early on. On the defensive side, look for linebacker Leilani Caamal to lead the defense and make key tackles. Don't discount Special Teams as kick returner Reese Peterson is averaging 26.1 yards per return and returned one for 81 yards and a TD early this year.
Erin Kelley vs. Mile High Secondary: Kelley’s ability to connect with her receivers will be tested against the Blaze’s secondary. Mile High's Taylor and Garcia have combined for 7 interceptions this season, making them formidable opponents who could disrupt Kelley's rhythm and tilt the game in Mile High’s favor.
Sarah Rosche and Johanna Vermohlen vs. Mile High Defense: The battle in the trenches will be crucial. Rosche and Vermohlen's powerful running styles against the Blaze's tackling prowess will be a focal point of this game.
Jackie Radford vs. Mile High Defense: While not a direct matchup, Radford's performance as a receiver could determine the Vixen’s offensive success. Her ability to make big plays might sway the game towards the Vixen.
Conclusion
With the Minnesota Vixen entering as the favorites and holding the home-field advantage, they are expected to come out strong. However, the Mile High Blaze have the talent and determination to pull off an upset. Fans can expect a thrilling and competitive game as both teams vie for a spot in the next round of the WFA playoffs.
Kickoff at 7 pm. Tickets available online or at the gate. Live web streaming available.
This weekend's matchup between the Minnesota Vixen (1-1) and the Iowa Phoenix (1-2) is expected to be a lopsided affair, with the Vixen coming in as heavy favorites. The Vixen, known for their high-powered offense, are predicted to win by a substantial margin of 40 points. Fans can look forward to an exciting game filled with high-scoring drives from the Vixen, who have consistently demonstrated their offensive prowess this season. Don’t discount Iowa though. They are an up-and-coming team who play with passion and determination.
One of the key aspects to watch in this game will be the depth of the Vixen's roster. With such a favorable prediction, it's likely that Minnesota will have the opportunity to rotate in more players and showcase their bench strength. This will not only give valuable playing time to less experienced players but also help the team stay fresh and prepared for tougher matchups down the line.
Despite their strong performance, the Vixen have had issues on the defensive side of the ball, allowing more points than they would like in previous games. This game against the Phoenix provides an excellent opportunity for the Vixen to work out these defensive kinks. Tightening up their defense will be crucial as they move forward in the season and face more competitive teams. The coaching staff will undoubtedly be focused on improving defensive schemes and communication to ensure a more balanced and formidable team performance.
For those who can't make it to the game, Pardon My French Media will be live streaming the event on their Facebook page, providing fans with a chance to catch all the action in real-time. Fans traveling to Iowa can purchase tickets through this link. With an expected high-scoring game and a chance to see both starting players and depth pieces in action, this matchup promises to be an exciting spectacle for all football enthusiasts.
After a tough loss to the St. Louis Slam in their season opener, the Minnesota Vixen are eager to get back on the field and prove themselves against the Nebraska Pride this Saturday. Despite the scoreline, the Vixen showed flashes of brilliance in their first game, with standout performances from Sarah Rosche and Chelsy Swanson on offense and defense, respectively.
Although the Vixen struggled to find the end zone in their last game, they were able to move the ball effectively, racking up over 100 total yards and five first downs. With another week of practice under their belts, the Vixen offense will look to capitalize on their opportunities and put points on the board.
Defensively, the Vixen was strong against the Slam, allowing just 20 points and forcing two turnovers led by Swanson, Samantha Barber, and Allie Dockendorf. The Vixen defense will aim to stifle the Pride's offense and create more turnovers tomorrow.
While the Vixen may have a tough task ahead of them against a talented Pride team, they have the talent and drive to come out on top. With the support of their fans behind them, the Vixen will look to earn their first win of the season and build momentum for the rest of the year.
Two weeks into the 2022 Women’s Football Alliance season, the Minnesota Vixen have used their trademark stifling defense and steamroller offense to outscore their opponents 96-6 and set themselves up well going into a bye week.
The St. Louis Slam were Minnesota’s most recent victims last Saturday night at Edina’s Kuhlman Stadium despite a fast start for the Slam that featured a Keyonna Smith interception on Minnesota’s opening drive, followed three plays later by an 81-yard pitch and catch down the left sideline from Jamie Gaal to Danielle Price.
But after that initial St. Louis spark, Minnesota played lights out the rest of the night, blocking the ensuing PAT kick and holding the Slam scoreless the rest of the way to a 41-6 victory in front of a good crowd on a cold April night. It was the first time Minnesota had beaten St. Louis in franchise history.
Grace Cooper roared back into action after missing most of week 1, churning out 26 carries for 220 yards and four, yes four, touchdowns. Rookie receiver Jackie Radford hauled in six catches for 49 yards and got her griddy on with her first career touchdown, a 4-yard strike from Erin Kelley. Kelley would finish 8 of 18 for 58 yards.
St. Louis did threaten to score again near the end of the game with a 12-play drive that got all the way to the Minnesota 6, but the Vixen secondary dug deep to repeatedly deny the Slam’s red zone passes. Along with the near shutout, the Vixen defense held the Slam to 124 total yards and continued their streak of QB poaching with JoDee Williams’ 34-yard interception return of rookie Jaimi Salone’s tipped ball.
Speaking of rookies, the entire Vixen class of 2022 is all over the stat sheet so far for this year’s WFA campaign. On defense, cornerbacks Allie Dockendorf, Courtney Cullen and AJ Cooper have helped shut down multiple pass attempts, and safety Megan Dixon is displaying extreme ball hawk tendencies including a 56-yard pick six against the Iowa Phoenix in week one. Finland’s Jonna Touvinen, although not new to women’s tackle football, is looking right at home in her Vixen gear running the alley and returning punts. Jaimi Salone, a former thrower for Stanford University, has been terrorizing opponents with 7 combined tackles, three for a loss, and a pass deflection.
Quarterback Erin Kelley and Jackie Radford connected Saturday night for what looks to be the first of many touchdowns, and Radford, Olivia Keske, Sam Winter, and Grace McClure-Johnson have been putting on a clinic in downfield run blocking.
And the trenches would not be complete without Brooklynn Byrd, Nicole Hankton, Jess Pett and Kat Conway, who all are also making solid plays on special teams.
The Vixen are off this week, but will not rest easy as they head to Reno on April 30 for a new challenge in the Nevada Storm, whose hard charging running game put up more than 300 yards in a season-opening 28-7 victory over the Mile High Blaze. The Storm are playing their first year in WFA Pro after winning back to back championships in D2 and D3 as well as doubling their roster size from 2021.
For more Vixen highlights and news, visit our Facebook page and our broadcast partner Town Square Television.
In their first contest of the 2022 WFA season, the Minnesota Vixen needed just one offensive play to get on the board.
After receiving the opening kickoff, Minnesota rookie quarterback Erin Kelley lofted a beautiful play-action strike to All-American Sam Barber down the left sideline for a 51-yard score. The Vixen would eventually notch a 55-0 victory over the Iowa Phoenix at Edina’s Kuhlman Field.
After a three and out by Iowa, the Vixen started off the next drive with a 26-yard run by 2021 WFA Offensive Player of the Year, Grace Cooper. Unfortunately, Cooper was injured on the play and would not return, but the duo of Jesse Haas and and Tasheanna Washington-Ware handled the run game for the rest of the night with a combined 158 yards and all but one of the Vixen’s remaining scores on offense.
Running backs coach Matt O’Keefe was very proud of his charges, saying they stepped up brilliantly and proved that no matter who is in the backfield for the Vixen, defenses should be very concerned.
Iowa, a scrappy and much improved team that hopes to contend for a WFA Division 3 title this year, made several trips deep into Minnesota territory but miscues kept them scoreless, including a goal line fumble that Minnesota was able to turn into a 7-play, 99-yard touchdown drive.
Barber had an excellent night on both sides of the ball, adding two sacks and another touchdown to the Vixen cause. Linebacker Ace Theissen, back in the Vixen den after a year off, celebrated their return with five tackles, two pass breakups and two interceptions, one for a 51-yard pick 6.
The defense as a whole had a great outing, with rookie Megan Dixon adding another pick 6 from 56 yards out and 27 different players notching at least one tackle.
But as the saying goes the devil is in the details, and Minnesota will have a devil of a time if they don’t take care of details this coming Saturday in the WFA Game of the Week against the St. Louis Slam, who knocked the Vixen out of the WFA Division 2 playoffs in 2019.
According to offensive coordinator Shaun Mattson, this week is about playing a cleaner game, and eliminating turnovers and penalties. We did a lot of nice things against Iowa, he said, but this week is about taking the next step because when we execute our jobs, we are incredibly difficult to stop.
And on the other side of the ball, defensive line coach Bruce Brevitz said his group will be emphasizing ball awareness and being careful not to over penetrate and take themselves out of the play.
The Slam, who are back in action after a 30-month hiatus and fresh off a 14-6 victory over the Columbus Chaos, will be looking to continue their quest for a fifth championship, and their first as a WFA Pro team.
Although the past matchups with St. Louis certainly mean many Minnesota players have had Saturday’s date circled in red since this year’s schedule was released, Vixen Head Coach Ryan McCauley says his message for the week is that this year’s teams are different animals and this is just another game against a talented, well-coached team.
McCauley, also the team's defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, says the Slam have a solid scheme that demands opponents bring sound fundamentals and aggressive pursuit. St. Louis also stresses defenses by lining up on the ball and calling a play from the sideline, and is unafraid to throw in gadget or trick plays at any time. It will be a challenge, but one that both players and coaches are ready to face.
Tickets to Saturday night’s game are on sale now at mnvixen.com, and the game will be carried by Town Square TV and nationally televised on For the Fans Network. Check our Facebook page for links and details!
