Krunch, Jazz to have doubleheader Saturday By JEREMY BANKS Kansan Sportswriter

This Saturday football fans will have an opportunity to see two sides. There will be a little Krunch to start and when the pieces are put back together, a little Jazz will lighten the mood and serenade the end.

At Art Lawrence Stadium on the campus of J.C. Harmon High School, both the Kansas City Krunch women's football team and Kansas City Jazz independent team will play a double-header. The games will be at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively.

The Krunch will play its first playoff game in franchise history against the Nashville (Tenn.) Dream. The Krunch have had a solid season,finishing 6-2, winning its division and clinching a No. 4 seed in the post season tournament. Oklahoma City, Chattanooga, Tenn., and Pensacola, Fla., finished ahead of Kansas City.

The Krunch have been strong on both sides of the ball this season. They surrendered just 50 points this year and have held opponents to five points or less in three games. They also recorded two shutouts in eight games while scoring over 300 points on the year.

However the Krunch will have its hands full with the Dream (7-1), a team just as effective. The Dream have a solid mix of offensive and defensive talent as well.

Nashville over the course of the year have won with defense and the running game. They have also been dominant defensively. In their first three games of the year, the Dream collected shutouts and through eight games collected four. They did not allow any more than 14 points in a single game the entire year. Offensively, the Dream scored 30 points or more in a game in six of eight games played. Its season-highs were a 65-point outburst in Week 4 and a 50-point game in Week 10.

Meanwhile, the Jazz are hoping to be both offensive and defense juggernauts as well this year. The team is excited about this season and its home opener Saturday because of its depth and plethora of talent on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball - particularly on the line and quarterback position.

"We're deep in every position this year," said Juan Houston, owner fo the Jazz.

Billy Stains could be one of the best on the defensive line, in Houston's opinion. The 300-pounder brings a mixture of quickness, physical play and size to the table, allowing others to be freed up. At the quarterback position, the Jazz have a mixture of athleticism and good fundamental play.

Ivory Peterson from out of Houston will be the main signal-caller this year. He has good fundamentals, decent mobility and has a strong arm.

When it needs a change of pace, Charles Smiley will be inserted under center. Smiley is not the passer Peterson is, but he brings speed his counterpart lacks. Smiley can use his moves and athleticism to gain yardage when a play breaks down or in the event he cannot find anyone open.

Wide receiver is also a talented position Houston pointed out.

The Jazz will play against the Kansas City Shockers.

Kansas City Kansan Online 06/24/2004