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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 Majes