Cali War survived the unrelenting Minnesota Vixen to win 64-61 in their final home game of the season. Cali War will head into the playoffs with home-field advantage. Cali War defensive lineman Antoinette Borders-Frazier noted how each player had to do their job to get the win.
“We really reached down in ourselves, we knew we wanted to win,” Borders-Frazier said. “We worked hard all season. I think it’s dependent on each other, making sure we each did our job and pulled it out.”
The battle against the Vixen came down to the wire as both teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 28 points. The fourth quarter saw nine touchdowns as both teams scored over 30 points each in the phase alone.
For Cali War wide receiver and safety Alyssa Williams, a game that prepared her for this matchup was their 52-6 victory against the Houston Energy on May 31.
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“I think Houston was when we really were having our machine running solid,” Williams said. “Everybody was reading each other, everybody was communicating, and it felt like Cali War football.”
The fourth quarter was a showcase for Cali War running back Brianna “Spidey” Barrett and Vixen rusher Paige Kuplic. Barrett outsmarted opponents with her agility and ability to switch directions. Kuplic barreled past Cali War defenders to gain first downs and touchdowns.
“I try to read my blockers. The [offensive] line did a great job of creating holes so I can be able to shift through and push through the middle,” Barrett said. “Once I’m through the middle and I see an open hole, I’m just booking it. That’s always been my goal.”
Minnesota managed to regain possession from two of their punts. This was a catalyst to Vixen gaining a 11-point lead with 2:49 left in the game. Two plays later, Barrett makes a 55-yard touchdown rush. After a failed two-point conversion, Cali War was within five points of Vixen.
The Cali War defense thwarted the running game of the Vixen on their next possession. The Cali War offense returned to the field and Barrett makes a 66-yard run. This put the War in a first-and-goal situation, setting up Nori Washington to score.
Cali War will go into the playoffs with a 5-1 overall record and a five-game winning streak. Washington noted how the squad knows how to capitalize on their talents.
“We’re a very dangerous team,” Washington said. “I think that when we’re able to utilize everybody to their full potential, we’re unstoppable.”
