CANTON, OH – The quest for a sixth straight WFA Pro National Championship was a rocky road for the Renegades this season, but none of that mattered when 5:00 Saturday night rolled around.
That’s because for the seventh straight year, Boston was one of the last two teams standing in the WFA’ Pro Division when they took on the St. Louis Slam at the Pro Football Hall of Fame for another national championship. They were showcased in front of the world live on ESPN2.
Unfortunately, this chapter of the book that is the Renegades dynasty didn’t have a happy ending.
Turnovers, penalties and a very good St. Louis team took down the champs in a thriller, 30-27.
The Renegades finish another historic season at 6-3, one win shy of a six-peat. In existence since 2003, the Slam finished the season 9-0 and won a fifth championship, but the first at the top Pro Division level.
Boston couldn’t have had a better start in this one, jumping up 14-0 after one quarter. Megan McFadden fumbled the game’s first snap for a three yard loss, but hit Stephanie Pascual for a 16 yard grab on the next snap. Two plays later, Ruth Matta – who had just under 200 yards rushing – hauled in a pass on a wheel for a 51 yard gain to set up 1st-&-goal. McFadden nearly scored on the next play with a nine yard run but she was down at the goal line. Matta punched it in and Maggie Barden added the PAT.
Linebacker Deanna Walsh picked off a pass to set up Boston at the Slam 27 yard line moments later. Just two snaps after that, Matta scampered in from 25 yards out for the 14-point lead.
A year ago, Boston beat St. Louis in the title game 35-7 thanks to a similar hot start. This was different though as the Slam quickly answered with a good return – special teams was a factor all day long with the Slam winning the field position battle. A 43 yard TD run soon followed to cut it to 14-7.
A tip drill INT for St. Louis soon thereafter didn’t end up hurting as Boston forced a turnover on downs. Boston returned the favor and the teams went to the second with the Rengades up by seven.
We really got a feel of just how different things were this time around when Kerri McMahan ripped off a lengthy touchdown run on a fake punt facing 4th-&-4, tying the game at 14-14. After getting the ball back with the Boston offense sputtering, St. Louis went up 20-14 on a 15 yard TD catch by McMahan after the Slam converted a 4th-&-14. The PAT was no good.
McFadden was picked off on the ensuing drive as penalties stalled the offense and the Renegades trailed by six at halftime. Boston had just four first downs in the first half and were out-gained 257-162.
Boston forced a three-and-out to open the third quarter but St. Louis’ punt pinned the Renegades inside the 10. Still, McFadden led a methodical drive out near the St. Louis 30, but a fumble by Pascual on a screen halted momentum. Two snaps later, Darcy Leslie came up with a pick as pressure got to the Slam QB and a ball fluttered into the air.
Once again, another miscue – this time a terrible direct snap to Matta – on 3rd-&-1 went for a loss of 17 and forced another Renegades punt. The defense got the ball back late in the third and on a gotta-have-it drive, Adrienne Smith came up with a huge snag on 4th-&-5 to extend the drive and set up a 1st-&-goal situation at the nine. Matta punched in her third TD two plays later to cap the 11-play drive. The PAT was blocked, leaving things at 20-20 with 1:34 left in the third.
A big kick off return for St. Louis and face mask call on Boston immediately set the Slam up at the Renegades’ 17. Boston forced a 40 yard field goal that was good, but jumped offside. The call was the seventh of the game for the defending champs and enough to give the Slam a 1st-&-goal chance. Boston once again stood tall thanks to a big PBU in the end zone by Briannah Gallo on 3rd-&-goal and held St. Louis to a 25 yard field goal, making it 23-20.
The game ultimately ended when Boston had an immediate three-and-out and St. Louis broke off a 60 yard touchdown catch and run two plays later, pushing it to 30-20 with 10:58 remaining. Smith then had a ball ripped away on an out route, giving St. Louis an interception deep in its own territory with the Renegades driving again.
Kylee O’Connor Harrel refused to let Boston go quietly though. The speedy defensive back chased down a Slam receiver from behind around the St. Louis 35, ripped the ball away from her, turned the other way and sprinted down the sideline for a touchdown. Barden’s PAT cut it to 30-27 with 5:27 on the clock.
Boston forced a punt and got a great return from O’Connor Harrel, setting the offense up at the Slam 28. St. Louis did a good job and eventually forced a season-deciding 4th-&-5. Having not attempted a field goal all season, Boston opted to pass up on a potential game-tying 40 yarder and instead went for it. A pass from McFadden to Barden appeared to be just passed the sticks, but the play was marked short and St. Louis took over with 1:30 to go.
The Slam ran out the clock and officially ended what’s been a magical, historic run for Boston’s other pro football dynasty.