Despite a lackluster first half, the Kansas City Krunch turned things up a notch on both offense and defense in the second half on its way to a 36-6 romp over the Evansville Express last Saturday.

The road victory improved Kansas City’s record to 2-1 on the year and was the team’s fourth win over the Express in as many tries.

Krunch head coach Jesse Mack said the team began the game at a sub-par level, but as they always do against Evansville, started executing with more intensity in the third and fourth quarters.

“There is something about playing in Evansville that for whatever reason, forces us to play mediocre,” he said of the Krunch which led 12-6 at halftime. “I must say that when Evansville acquires the depth to compliment the talent they have, they will be a danger to any team that comes in and gives them a mediocre performance.”

Mack and the Kansas City coaching staff went into Evansville with the plan to work more on the team’s passing game and to put more points on the board. The Krunch was able to do just that with a superb performance by quarterback Ursula Copeland, who completed 6 of 18 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns.

“Ursula showed real leadership and talent by adjusting to a few botched plays and turning them into productive plays,” Mack said of the second-year quarterback.

Kansas City’s first score of the game came when Copeland hit wide receiver Dorothy Haughton on a 24-yard strike to put the Krunch up 6-0. She would score again in the second quarter when Copeland made the best of a botched play, scrambling away from defenders and hitting Haughton on a 60-yard bomb.
“Ursula settled down this game and scrambled only when she had to, but most importantly she threw the ball to as many as five different receivers,” added Mack.

“The offensive line held them (Evansville) at bay, keeping them out and away. She (Copeland) stayed in the pocket and only scrambled a few times.”

In the second half, newcomer A.J. Thomas got some time behind center and completed 3 of 5 throws for 25 yards, with one touchdown and an interception. Thomas’ touchdown toss came on a 13-yard throw to wide receiver Laura Sheldon in the third quarter.

Mack said with the confidence and understanding of the system shown by Thomas, the Krunch offense will become more dimensional with running, passing and catching at its disposal.

Leading the Kansas City rushing attack was running back Cathie Stansbery who carried the ball 13 times for 65 yards, including a five-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Copeland had three carries for 27 yards.

On the defensive side, Mack said the team didn’t play very well in the first half, giving up big yards. Evansville scored its first touchdown of the year on a 45-yard, second-quarter pass.

“In the second half they stepped up and did well,” he said of the Kansas City defense, which picked off three Evansville passes and has 13 takeaways in the last three games.

One of those turnovers caused by the defense came on an interception by linebacker Sonya Harlin, who ran it back 67 yards for a second-half touchdown. Harlin, who is coming off a knee injury she suffered during the pre-season Jamboree in St. Louis, reclaimed her position and added seven tackles, including two solo takedowns.

“Sonya is one of the most consistent players we have,” explained Mack. “The staff knows what type of performance to expect from her each night and now knowing the knee is fine will help sustain our aggressiveness in the middle.”

Also stepping up for the Kurnch defense was cornerback Stephanie Hartzler, who ran another pick back for 26-yards. She also had two pass deflections, two tackles and recovered a fumble.

“She is very athletic and really went after ball,” said Mack, who estimated Hartzler leaped 36 inches to snatch the interception. “She is pretty solid in tackling. She teaches football, knows the basics and uses that knowledge.”

Another solid tackling performance came from linebacker Shawnna Stuhr who used her rugby experience to rack up seven tackles on the night. Linebacker Kim Kastilahn added six tackles while defensive end Courtney Danley had two sacks for a 17-yard loss.

Mack thought the team was also able to improve its tackling at Evansville.

“We got better this game by breaking down and getting physical. Our gang tackling was a definite improvement and with each week we will get better and better.”

This Saturday when the Krunch hosts Evansville in a repeat of last week’s matchup, Mack said the team will try and attack more on the ground and reestablish the running game.

“We will have to repeat our second half performance this week but we have to do it the entire game because Evansville will be coming to avenge that loss,” explained Mack. “We just have to build on our success. The things we did wrong we will have to correct and the things we did well we will have to build on. It is just that simple.”

Kansas City and Evansville will square off again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday at J.C. Harmon High School.