Pyro powerhouse takes on Chaos
By STEVE KEPPEL
Sports Writer
As teams advance to the second round of the interhall playoffs, competition becomes more intense.
Not only are the players' seasons and possibly careers on the line, now they are within reach of possibly playing in Notre Dame Stadium for the coveted interhall championship.
On Sunday afternoon, the undefeated and two-time defending champion Pasquerilla East Pyros will face off against a young and talented Cavanaugh team.
P.E. definitely has the edge in experience. It is a team full of upperclassmen who have been in the post-season in past years. P.E. is led by the awe-inspiring play of fifth-year senior quarterback Elizabeth Plummer. If P.E. wins this week, it will be Plummer's fourth trip to the stadium in the last five years.
"We are an experienced team, we have been there before and we know what we have to do to get back," said Plummer.
Cavanaugh is quite young in comparison.
"We have a young team with only three seniors," said Chaos captain Mellisa Tacey. "Even though we are young we play really well together."
The Chaos are making their first appearance ever in the semifinals.
Cavanaugh is led by the tenacious play of its defense, which provided a spark for the entire team all season.
"Our defense has propelled our offense, the offense often feeds off of our momentum," freshmen defensive back Heather Hoffman said.
The Chaos have put together a solid season, losing only two games, and have improved greatly over last year.
P.E. is coming off an impressive 19-7 win over a talented Howard team. After a lackadaisical start the Pyros turned up the heat and rolled on to victory.
"This game, we are going to have to come in fired up right away. We really want to get back to the stadium," said Plummer.
Cavanaugh defeated a tough Lyons team last week 6-0. The Chaos got off to a rough start but they managed to pull it out in the end.
"Our offense struggled at the beginning of the game but we played really well in the second half," Tracey said.
"It took us a while to get started and not having a game in a couple of weeks hurt," said freshman Hoffman. Even though the offense faltered in the first half last week Hoffman said, "We are pretty optimistic — we really are starting to click and work really well together."
P.E. has been working hard all week refining their offense and working on the things that they do best. "Our coaches have prepared us well and the team in general is pretty relaxed," said Plummer. "Basically, we need to win to keep playing."
Cavanaugh comes into this game feeling they have nothing to lose.
"Everyone is favoring P.E. but we have been practicing hard and it will be a good game," said Hoffman.
"We are focusing on stopping Plummer but they are a great team and we are excited to play them," said Tacey.
It is a classic battle between experience and youth on Sunday. The young and confident Chaos will have their work cut out for them as the Pyros tries to get back to the stadium to defend their championship once again.
All Sports Stories for Friday, November 5, 1999
