This past Saturday, the So Cal Scorpions obliterated the New Mexico Burn to remain at the top of the Western Division within the Women’s Professional Football League (WPFL). The Scorpions lead the Western Division with a 7-1 record in the American Conference. The Burn fell to 0-5 overall.

“We have come a long way, from being 3-7 to 1-9; the players and coaches are working hard for this” said the Scorpions team owner Ann Bagala.

The Scorpions’ defense showed up to Edward’s Stadium in La Jolla ready to play. They stopped the Burn from gaining much ground with a decisive sack of the ball carrier by Joneice Edwards. A missed pass and a ball carrier sack by Cilena Mosley put the Burn on its heels for a fourth-down punt, which was returned at the 30-yard line. Shinobu Williams was down in the play and limped off with the first of two injuries for the Scorpions. Andrea Hubbard took the handoff, broke through the defense and ran the ball in for the first score of the game to the cheers of the home crowd.

Crystal Stokes sacked the quarterback, forcing a fumble that was recovered by the Scorpions. Hubbard looked poised for a repeat performance, but was stopped short by the Burn’s defense. Yarita Perez took the handoff and ran 20 yards for the second score of the game, and with an extra point scored by Heather Winter the Scorpions had a 14-0 lead.

The Scorpions’ defense was on fire with back-to-back sacks by Carmen Cruz, Stokes and Michelle Starks, forcing a second fourth-down punt at fourth and 15. It was returned by Vernessa Altman, who also carried the next two plays for a first down. The tide looked like it was about to turn for the Scorpions when a Burn player caught an interception, but the Burn was unable to make up much ground.

Carries by Altman, Hubbard and Perez took the ball to the eight-yard line, where Teresa Smith caught a short pass for the third score of the game. Winter kicked the conversion, bringing the Scorpions’ lead to 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Scorpions defense proved itself once again by stopping the Burn and forcing a fourth-down punt, which resulted in a fumble recovered by the Scorpions. Back-to-back carries by Perez yielded first downs, leading to Melissa Gallegos completing a short pass for the fourth touchdown of the game and a 27-0 lead.

Tarrah Philpott came in with a powerful sack that forced a fumble, which was quickly recovered by Stokes on the five-yard line. After a quick reset, Altman ran down the side of the field to score the Scorpions’ fifth touchdown.

The Burn returned the ball and drove to the 48-yard line, but could not break through the Scorpions’ defense. Cruz returned the punt and ran to the 50-yard line, but a penalty resulted in a loss of yardage. In a bit of fancy footwork, Perez took the handoff from the quarterback and reversed it to Cruz, who ran from the 20-yard line to score the sixth touchdown of the game, in an incredible long run, for a 41-0 lead.

After yet another touchdown the Scorpions had what seemed to be an insurmountable 48-0 lead at the half.

The second half featured even more Scorpion domination, with three more touchdowns and no threat of an offensive attack by the Burn. At the opening of the half, Cruz returned the kick and ran it to the 39-yard line. In back-to-back plays, Perez carried the ball up the center and scored the eighth touchdown with a 40-yard run, increasing the Scorpions’ lead to 55-0.

Deuce Reyes caught an interception and ran from the 40-yard line to the end zone, but an earlier flag on the play caused the score to be discounted and the Scorpions took possession back at the 40-yard line. Several short passes and runs by Altman and Erin Beard, as well as plays by Apple Gomez, led to Altman scoring the ninth touchdown of the game for a 62-0 lead.

Reyes caught an interception and ran to the 20-yard line. Beard powered down the center to score the 10th and final touchdown of the game.

The Scorpions’ next home game is Saturday, Oct. 8, at 5:00 p.m. against the Los Angeles Amazons. The last time these two teams met on Aug. 27, the Scorpions shut out the Amazons 14-0. The Scorpions are one game ahead of the Amazons for first place in the Western Division.

Home games are held in Edward’s Stadium, next to La Jolla High School, at 750 Nautilus St. in La Jolla. Complete schedule and ticket information can be found on their Web site, http://www.socalscorpions.com, or by calling (877) 71-STING.