Miami Caliente Eliminated From The Lingerie Football League Playoffs

C. Stiles

Caliente defensive back Nia Mann (19) and middle linebacker Taira Turley (20) collide with a Chicago Bliss running back.

​The first time the Miami Caliente played the Chicago Bliss at the Sears Centre Arena in September, the Bliss won 29-19. For last night's rematch in the Eastern Conference championship game, Chicago had to travel to South Florida. The result, however, was the same. The Bliss won 20-7.

But the game was close the entire way.

The battle was, as one fan in the stands put it last night, "Really, really fucking brutal, man." The undefeated, hard-charging Bliss, came in as heavy favorites against the Caliente, led by Anonka Dixon, the LFL's version of Kurt Warner, Peyton Manning, and Michael Vick (the good parts) rolled into one.

Chicago brought pressure on Dixon from the first play--a personal foul, roughing the passer. Tine Caccavala, who leads the league in both receptions and interceptions, received double coverage from the Chicago secondary all night. Meanwhile, the Miami defense wasn't able to stop Chicago's best player, running back Tasha "the Tank" Pryor, the game MVP.

"I hate to admit it, but they were better than us tonight," said Caliente cornerback Sacha Wood. "They deserved this."

Dixon, who separated her shoulder near the end of the first half, disagreed:. "No way that team is two touchdowns better than us. No way."

This is the league's first year. In the first of two conference championship games played the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood last night, the Los Angeles Temptation beat the Dallas Desire. LA and Chicago will face off in Lingerie Bowl VII tomorrow night at the same place.