Cash App Championship media day on Friday featured plenty of jokes and laughs between the players and coaches. But through the laughter and smiles, a lingering sensation of intensity could be felt. 

There was a great sense of competitiveness when both teams talked about each other and a deep-rooted level of respect from both sides. Both teams know it will be a dogfight and know what’s at stake. 

For the Maryland Whipsnakes: a chance for a third PLL title, which would add to their league-leading total. 

In the Utah Archers’ case, it’s a chance to defend their throne and become the second-ever back-to-back PLL champions. Defending the title is exactly what they plan on doing. 

“We want number two,” Utah Archers head coach and general manager Chris Bates said emphatically. “We don’t want this thing to go to 3-1 (in favor of the Whipsnakes). We want the trophy. It’s still ours until they take it out of our hands.” 

That’s the quote Bates left the stage with. He is passionate and confident in his group ahead of Sunday’s title bout. 

Each Archers player who addressed reporters in Philadelphia exuded the same confidence. Utah is dialed in and ready to win another title. 

However, the Whips are eager to play spoiler on Sunday.

“The Archers are obviously the defending champs, but I think this is kind of the way we want it,” two-time champion Joe Nardella said. “If we're going to be the champs, we’ve got to take it from them.” 

The Archers beat the Whipsnakes 16-11 in their only regular-season meeting. But this is a new-feel Whipsnakes team compared to the beginning of July. 

The post-All-Star break Maryland squad has been elite on defense and shouldn’t be giving up 16 goals this time around. 

Defensive Efficiency

9. Whipsnakes (pre-ASG): 33.2%
8. Redwoods: 30.6%
7. Outlaws: 27.1%
6. Cannons: 27.0%
5. Atlas: 26.5%
4. Waterdogs: 25.3%
3. Archers: 25.2%
2. Chaos: 23.8%
1. Whipsnakes (post-ASG): 22.8%

— Joe Keegan (@joekeegs) September 12, 2024

If the Archers offense can run its two-man games on the disruptive Maryland poles, they won’t have to worry about the Whipsnakes’ newfound defensive prowess. 

If Maryland scores early and often — no easy task against Brett Dobson, who allowed just one score in Utah’s semifinal rout of the Carolina Chaos — its defense can suffocate the life out of the rest of the game.

At 3 p.m. ET on ABC, we’ll find out if the Whipsnakes can take the Cash App Championship Trophy out of the Archers’ hands.