The Texas Elite Spartans eked out the closest win in team history on May 14 against the Alabama Fire. The 20 points scored by Alabama is the most the Spartans defense has given up, but it was not enough to pull off an upset victory over undefeated Texas as the Elite Spartans went on to win 21-20.
The Elite Spartans’ Saturday victory over Alabama came down to an action-packed fourth quarter that saw daring risk-taking by both offenses and stout performances on the defensive side of the ball.
The Texas Elite Spartans began the fourth quarter tied at 14 with a third-and-goal at the 2-yard line of Alabama. An offsides penalty moved the Elite Spartans to the 1-yard line, but the Alabama defense made a critical stop on the repeat third down, hitting the running back behind the line of scrimmage for a 1-yard loss.
Rather than attempt a chip-shot field goal, the Elite Spartans rolled the dice and put their undefeated season in the hands of quarterback Brittany Bushman. On fourth and goal from the two, Bushman punched a short-drop pass to the back of the end zone, connecting with Liz Landry for the go-ahead touchdown.
Bushman was named Atlantic Conference Player of the Week in Week 1 this season, while Landry was named Player of the Week in Week 4.
Elite Spartans kicker Shelby Ternus hit the extra point, her third of the day. Ternus leads the league in PATs, hitting 22 of 23 so far this season. She has also hit one of only two attempted field goals this season. With most of the fourth quarter remaining, the Elite Spartans had the lead 21-14.
The ensuing drive by Alabama began at their own 38-yard line with under 11 minutes on the clock. Running back Kelli Smith took the first-down hand-off 19 yards to get the offense moving into Texas territory. Another 10-yard run on first down kept the clock rolling and the ball moving.
The Elite Spartans, who led the WNFC in penalties this season, chose an inopportune moment to commit yet another. A face mask penalty tacked 15-yards onto the end of a 12-yard rush on a second-and-nine, putting the Alabama Fire offense within striking distance of the end zone and the possibility of a tie game.
The Fire started at the Elite Spartans’ 11-yard line with a fresh set of downs and completed a pass on first to move to the 4-yard line. Consecutive rushes were met with stiff Elite Spartans defense, and the Fire found themselves on fourth-and-one just outside the 1-yard line. A first down was possible if the offense moved within about a half-yard of the goal line.
With the game clock now down below 4-and-a-half minutes, the Fire gambled and used a right-side sweeping run that found the edge. Fittingly, it was Smith who had her number called, and she delivered with a score.
Now within one point of a tie game, Alabama chose to lean on its luck and gambled again, this time trying for a two-point conversion to become the first team to lead over the Elite Spartans.
The call was a fake kick, intended to lure the defense into the center while kicker Jala Harris took the ball around the edge, just like the previous scoring play. This time, the Elite Spartans were not fooled, and linebacker Deana Guidry met Harris on an untouched blitz deep in the backfield.
Harris had no chance as defensive line woman Olivia Griswold and linebacker Cara Wiseman joined Guidry to force Harris to the ground.
The stop would be the key play in getting the win, but the game was far from over. If Alabama could get a stop, they could have a chance to get the ball back one last time. When Alabama did finally get the ball back, the Elite Spartans had bled all but 25 seconds from the game clock, forcing the Fire offense to strike quickly if they had any hope of a comeback.
It was not to be, as three incomplete passes doomed the Fire’s chances and gave Texas the stunning, close win.
The victory sets up a crucial final match in Week 8 for the Texas Elite Spartans as they look toward the playoffs. Texas is now 5-0 and is fighting for the No.1 seed with the Atlanta Phoenix, who also enter the final game of the season with an undefeated record.
The Elite Spartans are at home to face the Kansas City Glory on May 21, while Atlanta hosts the underdog Philly Phantomz.