MURRAY — In the scorching heat of a Saturday afternoon, the Utah Falconz women's football team faced the first round of playoffs against a wild-card entry, the Rocky Mountain Thunderkatz. The Falconz played a fast-paced game without letting up and came away with the victory and a final score of 63-0
The Falconz rushing game continues to gain yards and put points on the board with a total of 350 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Of those touchdowns, Abby Bun and Keeshya Cox ran in two with Kayla Bruner, Memory Ware and Danielle Musick each scoring one touchdown. The Falconz offense additionally collected 85 receiving yards and two touchdowns between Cox and Kris Thomasberg.
Defensively, the "Darkside" continues to be as unflappable as ever. Spread across the Falconz bench were 22 tackles, eight of them solo led by Maira Alcala. Seven were tackles-for-loss completed by Shannon Gebbia, Dani Moyes, Sam Taylor, Brenda Benson, Susan Widdison, Thomasberg, AJ Roby and Musick. The Falconz once again excelled in ball-recovery with four interceptions achieved by Taylor, Thomasberg, Lexie Floor and Crystal Martinez. There was one forced fumble by Musick and five batted-down passes by Benson, Thomasberg, Whitney Beynon, Tina Mangum and Krisie Merrill.
With the first game of the playoffs behind them, the Utah Falconz now move on to the second round; the IWFL Western Conference quarterfinals. Utah will go head to head with the Sirens out of Sacramento, California. Both highly competitive teams are undefeated and fighting for the chance to move forward in the playoffs.
You can watch this playoff game at Cottonwood High Saturday, June 27, at 5 p.m. Game-day ticket prices are $10 for general admission, $8 seniors and veteran, $5 season pass holders, $5 current Cottonwood High students and free for kids 10 and younger.