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The Week 1 WFNC schedule for the 2024 season is stacked with great matchups, and we have you covered with what you need to know heading into tomorrow's games.
Let's start with where to watch:
All WNFC Games will be streamed live on CaffeineTV streaming service. The service is available on your iOS device, Android, Roku, or your computer.
WNFC Games of the Week will be streamed live on DAZN Globally.
Saturday Match-Ups:
Mississippi Panthers at Washington Prodigy
6 pm. ET | CaffeineTV
What to watch for: This game is a rematch of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. The two teams met twice last year, with the Panthers winning both, defeating the Prodigy on the road in a nail biter (14-8), and later in the conference finals more convincingly (46-26). The Panthers have only gotten better on defense, adding All-Pro Diamond Wright to a stacked secondary that already included Mary Woodard and LaShanda Griffin. The league leader in sacks Kassidi Wynter has joined the vaunted Panthers D-line, and on offense they lose 13 TDs from former QB Rasan Gore, and replace them by adding former Atlanta QB Melyse Brown who scored 13 passing TDs of her own in 2023. The Prodigy spent no time rebuilding in the offseason, as their most dominant offensive player, RB Jasmine Ballard was snatched up in free agency. Nevertheless, they return gun slinging QB Ashley Clark who is coming off of her best season in 2023 (finishing as a top 5 passer). All-Pro WR Kasee Hilliard returns averaging 21 yards per reception. The Prodigy added an exciting new rookie, 5' 11” former D1 basketball player Tanaysa Henderson at WR. Anchoring the Prodigy defense are Gold Medalist DB Ta Shaun Leigh, and her running mate Quiana Ford. Watch to see if the Prodigy running game can keep steam with Cheri Gantt, against the Panther D-line. With zero chance of rain in DC, we are hoping to see the two QBs light up the scoreboard.
The Prodigy finished top 5 in overall team offense, and team defense in 2023. The Panthers led the league in passing in the regular season in 2023 (Rashida Young 419 total yards).
Tennessee Trojans at Atlanta Phoenix
7 pm. ET | CaffeineTV
What to watch for: The Phoenix come into the game with a new look roster, after finishing the 2023 campaign with a 5-2 record. Veteran QBs Renee Langalais and Ry'van Buchanan hold down the QB responsibilities with the loss of All-Pro QB Melyse Brown to free-agency. 1/3 of the ATL roster consists of first and second year players. The Phoenix return team reception leader Nikayla Ramsey. On defense the Phoenix are stout with LB Alnisa Thomas returning to dominate the middle. This match-up was not favorable to the Trojans last season, losses in a route on the road by 60 points. The 2nd year Trojans signed LB Aundrea King and women's football veteran Lanie Ford in free agency. The Trojans got better as the year went on in 2023, playing competitive football against a few WNFC playoff teams. In the WNFC, a team's success starts and ends with the quarterback play. Tessa Ortiz-Marsh returns as QB1 for the Trojans, and will need to get the passing game going, in order to compete for an Eastern Conference Playoff Bid. The Trojans finished 2023 with no passing TDs, and will need to put it in the air to win some big games. The Phoenix led the league in overall team defense in 2023, but lost 6 starters on defense to free agency. Can the ATL defense continue to be dominant?
Houston Mambas at Denver Bandits
6 pm. MT | CaffeineTV | DAZN Game of The Week
What to watch for: The Mambas return in the second year having one of the busiest free agency off seasons in league history. The Mambas added a whopping TWELVE All-Pros to their roster in 2024. The team boasts 7 players who have won Team USA Gold Medals including 3X WNFC Champion Rasan Gore. On paper, the Mambas are the team to beat, coming off of a first season 3-4 record in 2023. The Mambas defense will be something to watch, adding Angie Patton and Shavonne Verdree both who have been on pace to lead the league in tackles in the past, to a defense anchored by Shanice Cole. The Mambas offense will be fun to watch, with the speed of Daziah Green and D'Ajah Scott. The true test for the Mambas will be at QB. Tori Tagaloa will need to either share duties with Gore or get the ball to all her new weapons. The Bandits come into the game confident, after a playoff run, and returning defensive player of the year Amber Kraft. The Bandit will look to keep it on the group with powerhouse running back Grace Cooper returning fully healthy after a knee injury. These two teams opened the season last year, with the Mambas narrowly defeating the Bandits 10-0 in Houston. The Mambas now head into mountain country with rain expected at game time. Can the Bandits pull off the upset at home?
Philly Phantonz at Florida Avengers
7 pm. ET | CaffeineTV
What to watch for: This is a match-up between two teams that are on a mission to prove that they can be competitive in the WNFC Eastern Conference. Ending the 2023 season with a tough loss on the road, the Avengers will have a new QB taking snaps after longtime QB Molly Richardson is out. All around athlete Paige Jones returns playing both sides of the ball, while DB Ashaniti Broxey looks to get a spark going for the Avengers Defense. Like the Avengers, the Phantomz finished the 2023 season 1-5. They are a veteran team who plays physical football. The Phantomz look to start a winning era in Philly after grabbing up veteran QB Tina Frisby during free agency, to toss the ball to their top WR Maria Jackson. The two teams met in Philly in 2022 with the Avengers getting the edge 20-8. It will be a warm humid night in Jacksonville, as the Phantomz look to level out this match-up and take home a big win.
Kansas City Glory at Texas Elite Spartans
7 pm. CT | CaffeineTV
What to watch for: These two teams are very familiar with each other, having played 6 games against each other over the past 3 seasons. The Glory head into DFW with arguably their most impressive roster in recent seasons. The team was very busy during free agency adding young upcoming talent in Anastasia Olavuo (LB), and MaiKia Williams (DB). The team's biggest pick-up was QB Nashi Catron. Catron was a sought after free agent, given her size, skill and potential at the QB position. The Glory will have to put it all together to be the first team to defeat the defending champions. The Spartans come into this contest like we have never seen them before. After losing 14 players from the 2023 championship roster to retirement and free agency, the Spartans will need to do something they have never done before, and that's win a WNFC match without Brittany Bushman. The Spartans return their vaunted Offensive line led by veterans Tammie Moore and Umeki Webb, and still boost an unreal WR core led by Offensive Player of the Year Maria Jackson, and 4X All Pro Liz Landry, who both finished in the top 5 in receiving at the league level. The Spartans will need to rely on the run game with Tara Thomas and returning FB Destanie Yarbrough, but the real question may be the Spartans defense. After losing 8 starters on defense, it will be harder than ever to keep teams out of the endzone. The Spartans hope to address some of that loss by adding veteran All-Pro Mercedes Tyler and former X-League star Jarrah Floyde. It's set to be a warm one in Dallas at game time. Will the Spartans hit the 50-0 mark or will the Glory spoil the big celebration?
Las Vegas Silver Stars at San Diego Rebellion
6 pm. PT | CaffeineTV | DAZN Game of The Week
What to watch for: The San Diego Rebellion has been one of the best teams in the WNFC since the league's inception. The team stumbled out of the gates last season with two losses during the regular season to the Utah Falconz, but finished strong, upsetting the Falconz in Salt Lake City to make it to yet another Western Conference Finals. The Rebellion will be a fun team to watch young stars Sakura Roberson and Brittani Lusain leading a new chapter. Long time QB and WNFC All-Pro Knengi Martin added competition in the QB room with Danny Trainor stepping in to give the offense a new look. In this match up we will all be watching the same thing, Adrianna Gutierrez! Gutierrez shocked the football world when she announced her free agency, and really turned heads when she landed with a Pacific Division competitor (Silver Stars). The Silver Stars have been on the verge of breaking out of the Western Conference for the past few years, and are looking for Gutierrez to be the boost that gets them propelled to the next level. The Silver Stars finished the 2023 season 3-3, with one of those defeats coming convincingly at the hands of the Rebellion (21-0). Point has always been hard to come by for the Silver Stars with no players finishing in the top team in league offensive stats. That all changed with Gutierrez bringing 10 TDs per season to the squad. The Las Vegas defense will lead the way, finishing top 5 overall in the league in 2023., powered by Osmara Gissell Nunez Barrera. It will be a clear, cool day in SoCal for this match-up.
Oregon Ravens at LA Legends
6 pm. PT | CaffeineTV
What to watch for: The last matchup between these two teams was a nail biter, with the Ravens, who finished the 2023 season with a record of 2-4, winning 7-0 in Los Angeles in week 2. The Legends will see a new QB at the helm for the Ravens as Danny Trainor moved on from the Ravens during offseason free agency. The retooled Ravens offense returns Brittany O'Connor who was dominant on both sides of the ball last season. After stumbling out of the gates in 2023 (with 3 straight losses), the Legends finished 2-4, winning two of their last 3 games. The team added the dynamic duo of football sisters Miriah and Marissa Lopez, who will immediately improve the offense. All around athlete Annsleigh Anderson will look to repeat the stellar year that she has in 2023. This match is set to be one of the most competitive games of the weekend. Sunny and clear weather is expected for game time in LA.
Utah Falconz at Seattle Majestics
6 pm. PT | CaffeineTV
What to watch for: The Utah Falconz finished the 2023 regular season with an undefeated record, ending the year with an upset loss to the San Diego Rebellion in round one of the Western Conference playoff tournament. The multi-year Western Conference tournament champions have made 2 trips to the WNFC Ix Cup Championship games in the past 4 years. This season, Sara Galica comes back from a shoulder injury, looking to finish what her and the triple option offense started. The powerhouse backfield of FB Hannah Makasini and RB Gina Magana back are back to lead the team's rushing attack. While, defensive legend Tina Tela return as the anchor of the Falconz defense. The Majestics and the Falconz has not matched up since the 2022 season. Last year was a rebuilding year for the Majestics as they finished overall last in the division with a 1-5 record. But, there is a new day in Seattle. The team made major waves signing rookie QB, Washington State High School Flag Player of The Year Paytience Kamuta. She will have a new target in Mexican National team WR Ana Barbosa, and will be protected up from by rising star OL Zay Dollente. The Majestics defense has a new look as well adding Mexican Football star Paulina Lopez, to a stout defense anchor by LB Jackie McCall. The Falconz will be favored as they bring back core veterans to make another run at a Western Conference Championship.
