Krunch takes care of Evansville for second straight week
By Scott Loesch

Facing Evansville for the second time in two weeks, the Kansas City Krunch got off to a quick start, cruising to a 32-0 blowout last Saturday, May 1, at J.C. Harmon High School in Kansas City, Kan. The Krunch scored three times in the first quarter, while the defense held the Express scoreless the entire game.
Even with five touchdowns against Evansville, Kansas City head coach Jesse Mack thought the team could have done even more damage against the Express.

“As I have said before there is something that causes this team to play at the level of Evansville,” he explained. “I am not saying they are a terrible team, I’m just saying we are a lot better than we showed on Saturday and we will have to be better when we travel to St. Louis this weekend. There were some positive things but I know the negative things are what we need to fix to be even better, especially against a team like St. Louis.”

The Krunch offense lit up the scoreboard for four touchdowns – three on the ground and one through the air. The other Kansas City score came on a first-quarter, 50-yard interception return by linebacker Kim Kastilahn.

Running back Cathie “L.T.” Stansbery scored twice for the Krunch with a three-yard run early in the first quarter and later scored from one yard out in the third quarter. Quarterback Ursula Copeland added a two-yard touchdown run and hooked up with wide receiver Rochelle DePriest on a 21-yard scoring strike in the second period.

“If we can make scoring contagious we should be prepared for whomever we face,” Mack said of the four-touchdown performance by the offense. “That is the production we are going to need to get into the post-season.”

Stansbery led all rushers with 55 yards on 12 carries. Dorinda Burton added 29 yards on five carries, while Sara Combs carried the ball twice for 14 yards.

“LT did not rush as much as she would have because we wanted to get more time from other backs. But she had another solid performance rushing,” Mack said of the second-year running back who is averaging 4.5 yards per carry this season. “That is a number that I am very pleased with and one which I will take any day.”

Copeland completed five of 12 passes for 77 yards with completions to five different receivers. Her longest pass was a 40-yard toss to Aiesha Thornton.

“Ursula is doing a wonderful job completing passes and I don’t think she has any interceptions,” Mack said of the quarterback. “The receiving core is still intact and getting better. With all of them catching passes they want the ball more and more, which will force them to get open sooner.”

Mack said one of the most spectacular plays came late in the first half when Copeland dropped back for a pass that was intended for Laura Sheldon. Sheldon reached for it and had it bounce off her hands into the hands of DePriest who ran it in for the score.

“I think Sheldon should get an assist,” Mack suggested. “I know she should have caught it but I am pleased with the concentration of DePriest.”

Mack said the three rushing touchdowns can be credited to the Krunch offensive line, which consists of Yolanda Ramirez, Chrissi Loesch, Juanita Booheister, Jennifer House, Sharon Burton and Jessica Zeller, who has been hampered by a nagging ankle injury.

“These ladies are the driving force on this team,” he said of the offensive line. “They play the position that no one else wants to play because there is little to no glory. I want to go on record as saying – ‘they are the most important unit on this team and if it weren’t for them we would not be 3 -1.’ Every offensive play starts with the offensive line and these ladies are playing the entire game with rest only while the defense is on the field and some special teams. These ladies are the ‘heart’ of the team.”

The defense did exactly what the coaching staff wanted by keeping Evansville out of the end zone. The squad also added a touchdown on the interception by Kastilahn.

Defensive coordinator Ed Williams described the defensive play as “awesome” but not for the catch, run and score but for the fact that the defensive scheme was finally executed the way he had planned it.
The interception marked the second pick for Kastilahn on the season. The former offensive play caller also added 10 total tackles in the game.

The newest addition to the defensive starting lineup was linebacker Shawnna Stuhr, who had four tackles and a fumble recovery.

“She earned a starting position by playing aggressively and most importantly being a sure tackler,” explained Mack. “Evansville has a runner (Beth Csukas) who is a quick and strong running back and was no match for Stuhr and the linebacking core. The defensive line plugged holes forcing the running back to get into more trouble when bouncing outside. She really had nowhere to run. St. Louis will have their hands full running in the middle this week.”

Mack said the defensive line attacked every play causing their offense to sputter on several occasions.

“We blitzed often from the outside which forced the quarterback to stay in a collapsing pocket,” he said. “She was hit hard and often. Defensive tackles Chrissi Loesch and Tyrha Cheatem kept the pressure on up the middle while defensive ends Courtney Danley and Monica Cheirs maintained pressure from the outside. We were able to use multiple attacks with our ends by being strong on some plays and by bringing in players that are normally linebackers to attack quicker when we would send outside blitzes.”

The defensive backfield of the Krunch played in its normal aggressive manner.

“When we were not blitzing Nyala Cheirs and the few times they were able to throw a pass each receiver that went for the ball was being met by our corners and safeties,” said Mack. “ Micki Jones, Stephanie Hartzler and Dana Guinn really love to hit. If the ball is thrown at you, they are going to hit you if you catch it or not, so be ready.”

Nyala Cheirs had two sacks on the night for a loss of 14 yards. Hartzler broke up two passes, while Guinn and Kris Skahan each had four tackles.

Mack was pleased with the special teams except for their performance on point after attempts.

“That is an area that needs to be improved drastically. We will work on this during practice this week and will be ready for St. Louis. Every game we have played them was decided by three points or less. The day I get a field goal I will just scream. I hope that day comes soon.”

One special teams performer that had a fantastic showing on the night was Micki Jones, who returned a kickoff for 34 yards and had punt returns of 41 and 10 yards.

“If you enjoy watching a runner with moves and speed you will love watching Jones run back a punt or kick-off,” added Mack. “It is spectacular!”

With its second straight victory over Evansville, the Krunch improved to 3-1 on the year and will look to avenge a 6-2 loss in Week 2 when they travel to St. Louis this Saturday, May 8.