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After a lopsided victory against the Iowa Crush, the Clash of the Champions lived up to its billing! Early in the game, the Tribe looked impressive, forcing the Diamonds to punt on their first possession and then driving down the field to score on a 13 yard strike from Jenny Schmidt to Regan Campbell. However, the Diamonds answered later in the quarter on a rushing TD from Jessica Springer to even the score at 7-7. In the ensuing possession, the Tribe again marched down the field and ended the first quarter on the Dallas one yard line after Megan Penrod scampered 6 yards to be stopped just short of the goal. The Tribe started the second quarter with second and goal on the Dallas one yard line. However, a mishandled carry led to a Larisha Graves fumble, which the Diamonds recovered.
The teams traded a couple possessions before Springer lost a fumble which Magadalen Obiefule recovered at midfield. The Tribe failed to convert the turnover, and Dallas scored on their next possession on a third and long trick play. Springer took the hand-off and threw a halfback pass over 40 yards for a Welniak score, making the game 7-14. The teams exchanged interceptions, but neither was able to capitalize before the break.
The Tribe defense held the Diamonds on their first possession of the second half. Then, in similar fashion to the start of the game, marched down the field, aided greatly by a 38 yard run by Larisha Graves, and Schmidt again connected with Campbell, this time for a 23 yard touchdown pass. The Tribe elected to go for a two point conversion to take the lead, but the pass was dropped in the endzone, making the score 13-14.
The Tribe added another score on the heels of a 7 yard Graves sak at the beginning of the fourth. Schmidt connected with Tegan Stuart for a 40 yard TD reception. Amanda Sweeten added the PAT to make the score 20-14. The Diamonds answered with a long drive capped off with another Springer 15 yard rushing TD, and converted the extra point, making the score 20-21 with 4:42 left in the game.
The Diamonds attempted an on-side kick, which Jennifer Marker thwarted with a recovery, setting the Tribe up with mid-field position for a comeback. During the final drive, Campbell and Schmidt continued their playmaking, starting with an 11 yard reception and finishing things off with a 30 yard completion over the middle of the field on fourth and long. This set up a Graves two yard TD run, making the score 27-21. The Tribe elected to try a two point conversion, and Graves did not disappoint, making it into the endzone after a spectacluar second effort drive to make the score 28-21. Sweeten's 58 yard kick-off put the Diamonds deep in their own territory, and they were unable to mount a final comeback.
The Tribe will be returing to action on April 24th after a bye week to take on the Wisconsin Wolves at Center High School.

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