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The Week 1 WFNC schedule for the 2023 season is stacked with great matchups, and we have you covered with what you need to know heading into tonight's games.
Let's start with where to watch:
All WNFC Games will be streamed live on wSCORE streaming service.
NOTE: wSCORE is an OTT media service. This means that games are available directly to viewers via the Internet, and not a mobile or standalone app. In order to access games on multiple devices, you will need to log in to one device, and then cast or airplay to other devices in your home. Only one log-in per device is permitted.
WNFC Game of the Week will be streamed live on DAZN.
Saturday Match-Ups:
Let's get into the full Week 1 slate, including Tori Tagaloa facing her old team, Denver Bandits who have 4 QBs listed on their 2023 roster, the Brittany Bushman vs. Rasan Gore showdown in Lewisville, TX, and the Rebellion meeting the Utah Falconz in Salt Lake City in search of redemption. It all culminates with a potential play-off match-up and west coast rivalry between the LV Silver Stars and the LA Legends.
Philly Phantomz at Washington Prodigy
6 p.m. ET | wSCORE
What to watch for: The Prodigy narrowly missed the playoffs the past two seasons. The team is healthy and focused heading tonight's match-up. The Prodigy is one of the leagues most imposing teams with athletes averaging 196 lbs, compared to the Phantomz roster which averages 177 lbs. QB Ashley Clark will be challenged to have a more efficient season (last season throwing for 4TDs and 3INTs), while defensive superstars Quenisha Learnard and TaShaun Leigh will do their best to keep the Phantomz team from getting off to their best start in recent seasons. The Phantomz are coming off of a winless season, and are searching for their on-field leader. US National team stars, Angie Wells and Hannah Degranfrenreid are noticeably missing from the Philly roster. With long-time field general Star Wright stepping 100% into her off-field role as owner and GM of the team, the Phantomz will need to look elsewhere for production. Philly put in work this off-season adding 15 new athletes to one of the largest rosters that the team has ever had. This game will be a defensive battle, won by the team who manages to own the line of scrimmage.
Stats to know: The Prodigy finished top 5 in overall team offense, and team defense in 2022. The Phantomz were in the top 10 league leaders in penalties. Philly TE Dominique Williams led the team in receiving and is returning for 2023, while powerhouse Prodigy RB, Jasmine Ballard, will look to win her first league rushing title (rushing for 10 TDs last season).
San Diego Rebellion at Utah Falconz
3 p.m. MT | wSCORE
What to watch for: The Rebellion powered into the 2022 playoffs with an undefeated record and sights set on returning to the IX CUP. Adriana Guttierez ran like her hair was on fire, winning Offensive Player of the Year for the season. The Falconz experience a few regular season losses which came as a surprise to many given their consecutive years of regular season wins with no defeats. In their last match-up, the Falconz stunned the undefeated Rebellion (23-15) in a WNFC classic first-round Pacific Conference Tournament match-up. Falconz stars Gina Magana, Tina Tela, Maya Jamison, Sara Galacia, and AJ Roby are all returning. San Diego faces a huge question at QB with Knengi Martin coming off injuries caused by a significant off-field accident. The top two rushing teams from the 2022 season will face off, and the team that leads the rushing attack will likely win this game. Watch for Gina Magana and Adriana Guttierez to fill up the stat sheet.
Stats to know:
The Falconz led the league in rushing last season averaging 274 yards per game. Outside of the playoff defeat, the Rebellion had one of the top defenses in the league giving up only 3.5 pts per game. Mercedes Tyler (San Diego's top tackler) returns, while Holly Custis (Utah's tackle leader) had retired.
Mississippi Panthers at Texas Elite Spartans
What to watch for: The Spartans and Panthers have faced off two times in the history of the WNFC, and each time the match has become more competitive. Last season the Panthers held the Spartans to 7 points for almost 2 full quarters of play, before eventually losing a hard-fought battle (14-49). This season one could argue that the Panthers have had the best off-season of any WNFC team, adding Rasan Gore, Mary Woodard, Natalie Nicks, Shardonay Jenkins, LaShanda Griffin, and the dynamic Rashida Young. The Spartans return as the undefeated champion of the WNFC, looking to replace 5TD, and 273 rushing yards left behind by Gore. The new-look Spartans didn't exactly rest during the off-season, adding highly regarded offensive play-makers Tara Thomas, Nyeisha Wright, and Desirea McGinnis. Although the Spartans defense is loaded with multiple US National team stars, the unit is led by field generals Amber Kimbrough, Latoria Randile, and Deana Guidry, adding young stars like Allyssa Weatherd and Shantia Creech. This is expected to be a high-flying, high-scoring match-up, with lots of big hits and surprising stars. Elite QB Brittany Bushman returns as the league MVP, while it is still unclear if Rason Gore or Regena Jackson will share the load for the Panthers. The quarterback that has her way through the air, is likely to stand in the winner's circle in this one.
Stats to know:
The Spartans amassed 130+ yards in penalties on offense in the last match-up against the Panthers. The Panther's offense avg 19 points per game in 2022, and the Panther's defense gave up an average of 19 points per game in 2022. Brittany Bushman passed for over 250 yards, and 5 TDs in the last match-up. MS defense sacked Bushman 4 times in the last match, the most the Spartan's O-line gave up all season.
Oregon Ravens at Seattle Majestics
6 p.m. PT | wSCORE |
What to watch for: The Majestics and Ravens faced each other twice last season. Their week 1 match was a classic, ending in a 9-6 Ravens victory in Portland. The Majestics would finish the season 1-5, while the Ravens ended the season 2-4, with both victories coming against Seattle. Oregon is coming into the match-up without dual-threat superathlete Shavonne Verdree, while Seattle returns QB Mykaleen Hiura, along with 7 other quarterbacks. You read that right, the Majestics are carrying 8 QBs this season. We will find out tonight, how they plan to use the crew. Both teams struggled to score points last season. The winner of this match-up is likely to be the team that can put together back-to-back scoring drives.
Stats to know:
The Ravens and Majestics finished #12 and #13 respectively in offense last season. Both teams averaged less than 200 yards per game. Shavonne Verdree finished the season as the only player on either team in the top 20 in TDs scored. Kylie O'Connor led the league in KO return yards with 216.
Los Angeles Legends at Las Vegas Silver Stars
6 p.m. PT | wSCORE |
What to watch for: Las Vegas is coming off of their best WNFC season ever. Officially a playoff contender, and eyeing the next level for their franchise; they will have to make the run without two core pieces from the 2022 season (Shawnee Phillips and Jamie Brann). The Legends are poised to make a playoff run, narrowly missing the mark last season, and looking to replace the production of exciting young QB Nashi Catron (on IR). Annsleigh Anderson burst on the scene as one of the league's most exciting talents. This same exact match-up took place to kick off the 2022 season, and the Silver Stars won a narrow 21-19 victory that would set them up for a great playoff run. The two teams' defenses are quite evenly matched, with Las Vegas having the advantage of allowing one fewer TD per game than the Legends. The Silver Stars will look to increase their scoring with young QB sensation Cindylou Rasiang at the helm, and the Football sisters (Maria and Marissa Lopez) stepping into WNFC action. LA newcomer and college football legend Toni Harris will be looking to make a splash in the LA secondary, while one of the most opposing defensive forces in the league. Jessica Phillips will look to make things hard in the run game. The team who plays the cleanest game, and limits turnovers is likely to win this close match-up.
Stats to know:
In 2022 Las Vegas ended the season with the 8th-ranked defense in the league.
QB Nashi Catron was a top 3 QB in the league, while DB Angela Hamilton was a top 5 DB with 3 INTs in 6 games. Both teams were evenly matched in penalties in 2022, with 36 each on the season.
Denver Bandits at Houston Mambas
7 p.m. CT | wSCORE |
What to watch for: A match-up pinned on the calendar since the day QB Tori Tagaloa announced her move to the Mamabs. The journeywoman QB is leading her 3rd team in as many WNFC seasons, and second expansion team. The Mambas is a new franchise with many familiar faces. Led by legendary coach Chenell Soho Tillman-Brooks, and a powerhouse ownership group, the Mambas kicked off the season by signing US National team stars Tori Tagaloa, Angie Wells, Dee Scott, and Shanice Cole. Denver wasted no time in the off-season by signing game-changing talents like Jamie Brann, and all-world RB Grace Cooper. Many are not sure what to expect from this match, but we believe that it will be a defensive battle. WNFC legend Kristen London, and top-performing LB Amber Craft will lead a Denver defense that only allowed 27 points in 2022. This game became an immediate rivalry when Tagaloa made the move, and we are sure that it will not disappoint.
Stats to know:
Amber Craft has amassed 103 combined tackles in 2 (6-game) seasons. The Bandits finished the 2022 season with the 3rd best defense in the WNFC. The Mambas signed 5 players from the US National team roster.
Atlanta Phoenix at Tennesse Trojans
6 p.m. CT | wSCORE |
What to watch for: Atlanta ended the 2022 season, one step away from the IX CUP Championship game. The top defense in the league through the regular season proved to be too much for most opponents. The defense is back, bigger and faster than ever, anchored by MLB Alnisa Thomas, All-Pro DB Diamond Wright, and veteran Carla Odom. The questions this weekend will all surround the Phoenix offense. The offense was unable to carry the team in critical moments in the playoffs, often leaning on a two-QB system with Melyse Brown and Renee Langlais sharing the load. For a second straight season, ATL will have to figure things out in the backfield without dynamite RB Jene Walker. The Tennesse Trojans will make their debut into the WNFC as an expansion franchise, opening up at beautiful Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Trojans came out blazing with a massive roster led by veteran QB Tessa Ortiz-Marsh. Tennesse boasts a roster of power averaging almost 190lbs across the board. We will find out quickly if the Trojans have the star power to meet and defeat the reigning top defensive team in the WNFC. This game will be decided by the team that gives away the least amount of big plays. A close game will play in the Trojan's favor.
Stats to know:
Atlanta's defense allowed only 6 points in the 2022 regular season.
Florida Avengers at Kansas City Glory
6 p.m. CT | wSCORE |
What to watch for: The Avengers is a team on a mission to prove that they belong in the Atlantic conference. Ending the 2022 season with a big push, and a victory over the Phantomz that kept the team out of the winless column. The retooled Florida squad led by veteran QB Molly Richardson, and RB Paige Jones will have to find their way on offense, after averaging 5.5 points per game in 2022. Standout LB Alexandra Perry will do the work to lead the defense to keep Florida in the game. The Glory is coming into tonight with their healthiest, largest, and arguably most talented roster ever. The new ownership group worked the free agent market globally and signed some of the top players in the world. QB Lauren Crouch is back to lead the offense, while WNFC newcomer Ken Gabriel will be looking to put on a show in the backfield. While WNFC Defensive player of the year Krishna Lee is noticeably missing from the 2023 roster (now GM of the team), the defense will be anchored by one of the most dominant forces in the league, DT Syreeta Gapelu. KC added speed, and experience across the board, and Florida will need to match both in order to make this a competitive contest.
Stats to know:
The Avengers defense gave up 194 points (in 6 games) last season. KC QB Lauren Crouch led the league in interceptions last season with 9.
