2008 Woodie Awards
Clarksville Fox shutout New England Intensity 32-0
Marlon Scott
Issue date: 6/4/08 Section: Sports
The Clarksville Fox finished their first regular season in the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) impressively with an 8-1 record. As the leaders of the Tier 2 Mid South division, they earned a home playoff game against a wildcard team, The New England Intensity (5-4).
At Northwest High School, dubbed the Fox's Den, June 28, the Clarksville Fox's defense smothered the Intensity. With a 32-0 shutout, they won the game and advanced to the IFWL National Championship.
"This game was won by the defense," the Fox's head coach Ron Graham said. "They really wanted this game. Our defense stepped up tonight and they didn't give up anything."
The Intensity was held to 12 yards of total offense. Unable to complete any passes, they were forced to rely on their running game. Both inside and outside, the Fox's defense became a bright yellow wall the Intensity could not get around. The Fox's defense spent most of the game in the Intensity's backfield hitting running backs for losses and sacking the quarterback four times.
"We have had a dominating defense most of the season," Jennifer Puhl said. Puhl is the assistant director of University Recreation at APSU as well as a member of the Fox. Puhl added, "We just can't give them enough credit because they put the offense in position to win every game."
Offensively, the only thing stopping the Fox was turnovers. They committed seven turnovers, five in the first half. But their defense kept the Intensity from taking advantage of the many opportunities.
For example, the Fox's first two offensive drives ended in fumbles. However, great defensive plays forced the Intensity to punt both times.
Fox's Starry Bady returned the second punt 25 yards, letting the offense start their third drive in Intensity territory. On the next play, Bady caught a 33 yard pass from Lorri Roberson that gave the Fox a first down on the eight yard line. Then, Nel Lemon dashed into the end zone on a sweep and the Fox led 6-0 with 1:52 left in the first quarter.
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