Martel maintains clean record

By Ryan Glassman     10/29/09 7:00pm

With just two weekends remaining in the regular season, one cannot help but look forward to the powderpuff playoffs and potential matchups. But as a number of teams jockey for a spot in the semifinals, the past weekend of powderpuff action simply cannot be overlooked. Brown College had a pair of games to get into the playoff hunt, while Sid Richardson College and Wiess College met for the newest chapter in their historic rivalry. But as for selecting the Game of the Week, the decision was not a difficult one. In a battle of undefeated teams, Jones College faced off against Martel College on Sunday afternoon and the two best teams dueled for powderpuff supremacy in our Game of the Week.

Game of the Week: Martel 18, Jones 0

Over the course of the powderpuff season, Martel has put up a number of lopsided results en route to an undefeated league record for the second-straight season. And while their offense has been dominant, it is the defense of the Violent Femmes that has consistently shut down opponents. Already boasting five shutouts, the Martel defensive unit was again impenetrable this past weekend, facing a Jones offense boasting speed and one of the league's elite defenses.

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In a battle of undefeated teams billed as arguably the best match-up of the season, Martel downed Jones behind a ball-hawking defense and a very strong passing attack on the offensive end of the ball.

The story of the first quarter was the defenses, as neither team had much success moving the ball downfield. Martel's offense in the first quarter was held back by penalties, as Jones simply could not break down the opposing defense.

The game entered the second quarter with no score and Jones on offense in their own territory. Faced with a short fourth-down play, Jones coach Danny Newman sent his offense on the field, but they were unable to convert. Martel took over on downs with great field position, but was again stifled by the Jones defense and turned the ball over.

Each team was held scoreless on their next drive, and Jones took over with just over two minutes left. Looking to spark the offense before halftime, Jones went to the air but had a passing attempt intercepted by Martel sophomore Maggie Andersen. The turnover placed Martel deep inside the red zone with two minutes left in the first half. After pushing forth to the three-yard line, Martel senior quarterback Aubrey Sansing found sophomore Jaclyn Youngblood in the endzone for the game's first points. After a failed extra-point conversion, Martel took a 6-0 lead into the halftime intermission.

Jones took over on offense to begin the second half but had a second pass intercepted by the Martel defense. With the ball and a 6-0 lead, Martel went to their workhorse on offense, senior Lauren McCauley, and moved the ball downfield with ease. Sansing again found Youngblood, this time on a six-yard touchdown pass, putting Martel ahead 12-0 late in the third quarter.

On the following drive Andersen intercepted another pass, her second of the day and the team's third overall, and returned the interception down to the Jones 19-yard line with a few strong blocks. The third quarter came to a close with Martel leading by two scores, due in large part to the defense.

Just a few plays into the fourth quarter, Sansing threw her third touchdown of the day on a short pass to Andersen, putting Martel in control with an 18-0 lead. The following Jones drive was stifled by penalties and came to a close on a McCauley interception, the fourth turnover of the game forced by Martel's defense. Jones got the ball back again and moved it through the air, but the effort was simply too little, too late. McCauley earned her second interception of the game on the final drive, bringing the game to its end with a final score of 18-0.

Sid 7, Wiess 0

Coming off a two-game winning streak, Sid faced rival Wiess College Sunday evening in a showdown of south colleges. Senior quarterback Ashley Thompson threw for a touchdown in the second quarter to give Sid a 7-0 lead at halftime. Sid's defense again dominanted, recording its third straight shutout. Sid sophomore Laura Bielinski had an interception on the day for Sid, and with neither team managing to score in the second half, Sid took the game.

Baker-Duncan 34, Brown 0

Baker College and Duncan College recorded their third shut-out in a row in the lopsided win over Brown. Baker-Duncan captains Jenny Sun and Kathy Kellert both recorded interceptions for the BaDunc defense, which stifled Brown's offense with a number of pass deflections. Senior Jessica Chidi ran for three touchdowns, while junior Beth England ran for a score and Kellert recorded a receiving touchdown.

Hanszen 12, Brown 0

The game was dominated by both defenses, as neither team's offense moved the ball well. Hanszen caught the Brown defense out of position in the second quarter and that was enough to score. Hanszen overloaded one side with a trips formation and ran a simple bubble pass for a 60-yard touchdown. In the second half, Hanszen made a short dump pass to the tight end to move the ball down the field and continued downfield, scoring late in the third quarter. Brown's scoring attempts were negated by injury and miscues, giving Hanszen its first win of the year.

Will Rice-McMurtry 13, Lovett 7

Will Rice-McMurtry rode to the win on the defense's performance, which included a game-saving interception by junior Alli Scully at the end to preserve the win. McWill started out with a touchdown, but botched the extra point to go up 6-0. Lovett quickly answered on its next possession with a score, converting the extra point as well.

McWill drove down the field with time running out in the first half, only to be stopped at fourth-and-goal as time expired.

When the teams returned, McWill broke the Lovett defense's hold and tacked another seven on the board. The defense kept the game in McWill's favor the rest of the game and allowed the Pain Train to hold on for another victory.

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