By JoAnne Klimovich Harrop

Published: Sunday, June 17, 2007

The Passion completed a perfect regular season Saturday by crushing yet another opponent, but they won't have long to celebrate.

Playoffs begin Saturday.

The Passion defeated the Central PA Vipers by a season-high score of 77-0, before an announced crowd of 3,500 fans at Cupples Stadium to finish at 8-0 and claim the Central Division title of the National Women's Football Association.

It was the Passion's third shutout this season.

"We won't have much time to bask in this win," said Passion quarterback Lisa Horton, who surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season. "We have to get back to work on Tuesday for practice. Everything clicked for us (last night). This has been an unbelievable season."

It isn't over yet.

The Passion host Erie at 7 p.m. in the first round of the playoffs Saturday.

Last night, the Passion dominated winless Central PA, a team out of Harrisburg in its second season in the NWFA. Central PA had minus 29 yards rushing and 16 yards passing.

The Passion offense was led by Horton and running back Torina Henley, who also reached the 1,000-yard mark. Horton completed 3 of 7 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown. Henley rushed for 176 yards on 11 carries and scored five touchdowns.

"This was a total team effort," Henley said. "I owe a lot of those yards to the line and fullback Lyndsi Hughes. The women on this team push each other to be the best we can be. We can't wait for the playoffs."

The Passion came out strong. They ran 18 plays, scored eight touchdowns and forced four turnovers -- just in the first half -- and led, 56-0. The Passion opened the second half with a 60-yard run by Wilma Walton for a 63-0 advantage and added two touchdowns to complete the scoring.

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