Upstate NY football team wins national championship
Football is always huge in the Capital Region, and while NFL and college football haven't begun yet, this upstate New York team just capped off their incredible season in the best way possible, a championship victory. The New York Knockout finished their first season in the American Women's Football League on top, knocking out the Carolina Stars in the Emerald Bowl III in San Antonio.
This playoff run actually started on a much more somber note. On the day of their first postseason game, the team attended the funeral services for former player and assistant general manager, Merry Alessi, who passed away after battling breast cancer on June 5th.
Later that night they would come together for a 49-0 victory over the River City Sting. That was the beginning of an unforgettable playoff run, dedicated to their former teammate. They would go on to win their next game by a score of 46-20, and win on the road yet again in the conference championship.
Carolina jumped out to an early lead in the championship with a touchdown and 2 point conversion on their first drive. Then the Knockout took complete control of the game. Quarterback Eden Messemer put the Knockout on the board with a rushing touchdown just before halftime. New York was unable to convert the 2 point conversion and trailed by two going into the half.
The Knockout's first drive of the second half lasted only two plays as Katie Salisbury gained the lead with a 34 yard touchdown run. They extended their lead to 19-8 with a 16 yard touchdown pass from Messemer to Salisbury in the third quarter, and held onto that score for the victory.
