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Last night, the Mississippi Panthers hoisted the 2024 IX CUP Championship trophy in front of an electrified crowd at The Star in Frisco, TX. The game, which drew over 1 million live streams on CaffeineTV, was a testament to the resilience and talent of the league’s top teams.
The matchup faced a brief delay due to rolling blackouts in the Frisco area. As the Spartans took the field, the lights flickered back on, signaling game time!
The first half was a battle of defenses, marked by dropped passes and penalties. The game's first score came late in the second quarter on a pivotal 4th-and-goal stop by the MS Panthers. Positioned at their own 1-yard line, league MVP Regena Jackson broke free for a stunning 99-yard touchdown run with just 1:29 left in the half. After a failed 3-point attempt, the Panthers led 6-0.
The Spartans received the ball to start the second half, but a crucial holding penalty forced them to punt. Both defenses held firm throughout the third quarter. Spartans' star quarterback Brittany Bushman delivered incredible throws, many of which fell incomplete.
Early in the fourth quarter, after a short drive hindered by Spartans' defensive penalties and a huge third-and-long catch by Jasmine Coleman, Regena Jackson scored her second touchdown, extending the Panthers' lead to 13-0.
Refusing to back down, the Spartans mounted a long drive that culminated in a touchdown pass from Bushman to Amanda Heilman. However, the missed extra point left them trailing 13-6. The Panthers regained possession but were forced into a quick three-and-out by the Spartans' defense with 5:21 left in the game.
The Panthers’ defense then took center stage, determined to secure their first WNFC IX CUP Trophy. The Spartans orchestrated an impressive four-minute drive, but a dropped touchdown pass by Liz Landry and a critical 4th-and-1 stop by the Panthers sealed the victory.
The game concluded with the Panthers kneeling in Spartans' territory, capping off an unforgettable season. This instant classic will be remembered for many WNFC seasons to come as the ultimate culmination of the Mississippi Panthers' perfect season.
