St. Louis Slam wins second consecutive WFA title

St. Louis Slam pose for a picture after capturing their second consecutive WFA Pro National Championship. (Photo: Gene Simmons/Ohsfbmedia.com)

CANTON, Ohio - The weather would prove to be unpredictable during the Women's Football Alliance Pro National Championship game; however, it did not deter the St. Louis Slam from capturing their second consecutive title, defeating the D.C. Divas 26-14.

In the opening quarter of play, neither team managed to score any points as both were focused on developing their own offensive strategies.

"We clearly didn't have the start we wanted to have," said Gaal.

Things would open up in the second quarter when the Divas would score with 13:53 remaining, following a short run by Whitney Simms that established a 7-0 advantage.  The Slam managed to close the gap, bringing the score to 6-7 following a touchdown pass from Jamie Gaal to Kerri McMahan with 2:06 left on the clock. 

Whitney Simms of the D.C. Divas scores the first touchdown of the WFA Pro National Championship on a short run with a good push by teammate Carre Hall. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

The last score for this 20-point quarter would end with D.C. scoring with 1:06 on the clock. Amanda Congialdi hits Siena Britt with a 31-yard touchdown pass, going into halftime with a 14-6 lead. 

As halftime approached, a weather delay due to rain and lightning occurred in the already humid conditions that had prevailed throughout the first half of play.

Divas receiver Hermonie Buckman tries to elude Slam defensive back Keyonna Smith during early game action. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

The weather delay would last over an hour due to repeated strikes of lightning.

Once the game commenced, at about 5:45, the Slam would pick up steam on the defensive side of the ball, causing a fumble and recovery with 10:16 left, but would not convert as they would give the ball back to the Divas, having it intercepted by Kaylee Neutzling, which would set up an eventual score by Kerri McMahan. 

The defending champions, Slam, would score with wide receiver Kerri McMahan on a 2-yard run, which brought the score to 12-14.

Slam QB Kerri McMahan patiently waits on the bench. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Now trailing 12-14, the Slam defense continued to impose its will on the Divas, as Keyonna Smith would pick off Congialdi and score, now taking the lead 19-14 with 1:10 left in the quarter. 

The Slam would not look back, even with the Divas making a rally in the fourth quarter, trailing 19-14, to only have a would-be touchdown pass caught and dropped and recovered by Kaylee Neutzling.

Slam running back Jada Humphrey scores on a 50-yard run late in the game to seal the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

The turnover would result in the Divas losing a Pro National title, as the Slam would clinch the victory with a 50-yard dash by running back Jada Humphrey, leaving 6:18 on the game clock, while they would run down the clock to secure their second consecutive Pro National Championship.

The Slam franchise has won five national championships, with the last two at the WFA pro level. 

Carrie Hall, the Canton native, tried to rally the troops during the late phase of the game, "All I wanted to do was bring a championship back home," she said.

Game coverage was brought to you by: The Ross Real Estate Group-KW Legacy Group