Future star Kari Janes offers promising future for maligned Minnesota Valkyrie

In a season that saw a beleaguered and maligned Minnesota Valkyrie franchise take a step backward, there was one rookie that offered a glimmer of hope for the future; quarterback Kari Janes. The 23 year-old quarterback played with great heart and determination as she led one of the youngest and most inexperienced teams in the Legends Football League.

Standing at 5’7” and a lean 135 pounds, Janes was stoic during a difficult 0-3 start that saw the Valkyries outscored by a 103-20 margin. Despite a 37.5 completion percentage, along with seven interceptions, Janes looks very comfortable lined up behind center.

Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/minnesotavalkyrie

Like many of the competitors in the Legends Football League, Janes brings an athletic background to the gridiron. With a soccer background, she has the powerful legs and the endurance to keep up with the most vicious defenders in the league. The endurance and tenacity that she brings to the gridiron of the LFL was cultivated from her performances on the soccer field.

Having played with the Concordia St. Paul Golden Bears, she had several highlights in her career. From contributing two goals in a win over rival Northwestern College to competing in the first-ever athletic match at Sea Foam Stadium, she graduated from the Division II School in the top ten lists of numerous categories of the soccer program.

Some of the more notable categories that Janes ranked in with the program included sixth all-time with 32 points and fifth all-time with 13 goals. Testament to her toughness and determination includes ranking third in shots attempted, third in game winning goals, fourth in games started and second in minutes played.

She established herself as one of the league’s finest rushers. In only three games, was like a lioness as she challenged defenses. With 205 rushing yards on only 34 attempts (for an average of six yards per carry), she supplied 79 percent of Minnesota’s offense in 2013. The Valkyrie would outgain opponents in rushing yards by a 261-225 margin. Competing at the most demanding position in football, Janes ability to break out and emerge in the running game is reminiscent of fellow quarterbacks Nikki Johnson and Anne “Showtime” Erler.

While Minnesota’s dismal season was only natural with the losses of former LFL All-Fantasy selections such as Cydney Froehlich and Whitney Meierotto, Janes is a building block for the future. With veterans like Laurie Jo Miller and Leekplay Paye are still on the roster, it helps to ease the burden of expectation that may fall on Janes’ shoulders.

In her LFL debut, a rushing Janes tries to avoid Anne Erler of the Green Bay Chill (Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/games/minnesota-valkyrie-vs-green-bay-chill/attachment/directorleague-photographer-78)

Her first game of the season was a baptism of fire as she competed on the road on May 11 against Anne “Showtime” Erler of the Green Bay Chill. Despite the 40-8 loss, Janes played with a dogged determination. With both bringing intensity to the game, the feeling of a passing of the torch to the next generation was predominant.

Displaying true tenacity, Janes evaded many would-be tacklers, while scoring her first career touchdown in the dying minutes of the game. In a show of irony, her final pass of the game was picked off by Erler (who also pulls double duty as a defensive back). Although her rookie inexperience showed against a proven performer like Erler, it was an admirable debut in the LFL ranks.

Despite a seven-week gap between their first and second games, Minnesota was crushed by the Seattle Mist on the road. Competing against one of the top-ranked teams in all of the LFL, Janes showed no fear. While the crowd at ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington is by-far the most intimidating,

Airing it out in a road contest against the unbeaten Seattle Mist (Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/070613_MINvsSEA_EP_2017-XL.jpg)

While the crowd at ShoWare Center in Kent, Washington is by-far the most intimidating, she managed to lead the Valkyrie into the red zone. Unfortunately, the squad endured the typical growing pains of a rebuilding team as the failure to earn points in the red zone led to a lopsided loss.

With the Mist having been in the league for only five seasons, their dominance is a sign of encouragement for Janes and a Valkyrie teammate that is in a rebuilding mode.

Rushing against the Chicago Bliss (Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/i-H45dF3g-XL.jpg)

Her confidence improved in her home debut, a 25-12 loss to the Chicago Bliss. With an enthusiastic crowd at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Janes fired up the crowd as she hopes to renew the Northeast Division rivalry with the Bliss.

Competing against Heather “Rockstar” Furr, Janes was up against another of the league’s elite quarterbacks. As Furr is another star quarterback whose ability to run and make plays makes her time a contender, it was another lofty opponent for Janes to compete against.

Looking for an open receiver downfield versus the Seattle Mist (Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/070613_MINvsSEA_EP_1525-XL.jpg)

With the home crowd behind her, Janes replied to Chicago’s first score of the game. Assembling an 8-play drive that consisted on 35 yards and a time-consuming 4:38 to frustrate the Bliss defense, Janes helped lead the Valkyrie to only their second touchdown of the season. With 38 seconds remaining in the first half, Janes displayed the poise that should transform her into one of the league’s elite field generals.

Hyped for pre-game introductions as she makes her home field debut in front of the Valkyries faithful at Target Center (Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/i-GKbtCxx-XL.jpg)

Despite tying the score, Furr showed why she is one of the most feared players in the league. She would only need five seconds to connect with ChrisDell Ferrari on a touchdown pass to head into halftime with the 12-6 advantage.

Although the seasoned Furr managed to bring Chicago to a 25-6 advantage, Janes showed tremendous character. Not giving up, she assembled a nine play drive consisting of 35 yards. With 2:12 remaining, she would run for three yards to score Minnesota’s second touchdown of the game. While Chicago would run out the clock for a win, Janes made a strong impression in front of the hometown crowd.

High fiving the fans after a hard-fought loss to the Chicago Bliss (Image obtained from: http://www.lflus.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/i-LvRzqt4-XL.jpg)

Although Janes was looking to win the final game of the season (a home date versus the Los Angeles Temptation), the contest had no implication on the league’s playoff picture. While the cancelleation prematurely ended the Valkyrie season, it was done as a preventative measure out of concern for injury.

For the disappointed fans, they can find solace in knowing that Janes is a future superstar and franchise player in the making. Her top five ranking in LFL rushing brings optimism to a franchise that can use it. While the rebuilding Valkyrie will likely have to endure another season or two of losing, the road to success may be one well worth it.

Anne “Showtime” Erler looks to propel Green Bay Chill into postseason

A 2011 road win against the Chicago Bliss resulted in Legends Football League history as the Green Bay Chill captured their first victory in franchise history. Led by quarterback Anne “Showtime” Erler, the win marked a great milestone for the franchise.

On August 10, 2013, Erler will look to provide heroics against Chicago once more. With Chicago sitting in second in the LFL Western Division, Green Bay is looking for a win to overtake them.

It should prove to be an emotionally-filled match for Erler and Furr. During the 2012 LFL Canada season, the two played together with the Saskatoon Sirens. Known affectionately to fans as Furrler, the duo led the Sirens to the best regular season record.

Erler was the league’s passing champion while Furr (her favorite receiving target) was the receiving champion. Although Furrler and the Sirens would lose to the BC Angels in the championship game, Erler would walk away as the first-ever LFL Canada Most Valuable Player.

The 2011 road win in which the Chill prevailed by a 36-34 tally put Erler and Furr in the spotlight as the two displayed their remarkable talents. With the remarkable legs of Erler, she would be the difference in the game as she accumulated three rushing touchdowns resulting in Green Bay marching out to a 28-14 lead. Chill starting running back Melissa DeJesus contributed with a pair of successful two-point converts.

While Furr and Harris brought the Chicago offense back into the game, tying the score, Erler showed tremendous grace under pressure. With the score deadlocked at 28-each, Erler masterfully led a superlative drive. Katie Zellner connected with Erler on a 12-yard touchdown with only 85 seconds remaining in the contest.

A two-point convert to Jessica Peyton would extend the lead to 8 points. Chicago quarterback Heather Furr took only 16 seconds to reply. She ran for a touchdown as there was 1:09 left on the clock. Looking to tie the score, Furr attempted to find Laura Petersen but was not successful. Proceeding with an onside kick, the Bliss were hoping to regain possession.

Recognized as that game’s Most Valuable Player, Erler will be a target for the Bliss in the August 10 contest. With all the intensity and drama of a playoff match, Erler will be needed to pass with precision and rush for crucial yardage.

Anne Erler (left) and Ana Heasman

Statistically, Erler is nothing short of remarkable this season as she leads the Chill in two key statistical categories; her 409 passing yards and 109 rushing yards pace all members of the Chill. Her 13 touchdown passes and three interceptions are complemented by a 136.3 passer rating.

Making a strong case as the 2013 LFL MVP, the six-foot tall Erler has a remarkable target in LFL receiving leader Anna Heasman. The 5’10” boisterous blonde receiver has a sparkling 196 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions, respectively.

Chicago’s offense is led by the tandem of Heather Furr and ChrisDell Harris. While Furr is the LFL’s passing leader with a sparking 206 yards, Harris is the leading ground gainer with 271 yards. Perhaps more impressive are the six touchdowns that Harris has accumulated.

ChrisDell Harris (left) and Heather Furr

Complemented by her 52 receiving yards, Harris has 323 combined yards of total offense, making her the league’s most potent weapon on offense. The 5’9” dynamo will need to be at the top of her game should the Force hope to clinch a postseason berth.

As Erler and Furr are both safeties, the two know each other so well that other variables will need to be exploited in order for either side to claim a victory. Regardless of the outcome, the presence of Furrler on the field shall stimulate interest from LFL fans on both sides of the border, as the clash of these two LFL titans is destined to make this emotional contest a soon-to-be classic.