Current season or competition: 2018 Women's Football Alliance season | |
File:WomensFootballAlliance.PNG | |
Sport | Women's American football |
---|---|
Founded | 2008 |
No. of teams | 62 for 2019 season |
Country(ies) | United States |
Most recent champion(s) | Division I – Boston Renegades Division II – St. Louis Slam Division III – Nevada Storm |
Most titles | St. Louis Slam (4) & Boston Militia/Renegades (4) |
The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) is a full-contact Women's American football league that began play in 2009. It is one of three full-contact, 11-on-11 football leagues for women, along with the Independent Women's Football League and the United States Women's Football League, and the largest of the three. The league is owned and operated by Jeff and Lisa King of Exeter, California.
League history[]
Template:Update section The Women's Football Alliance was established in 2009 and began its inaugural season with 36 teams. Many of these teams were already established teams moving in from other leagues such as Women's Professional Football League, Independent Women's Football League and National Women's Football Association, while others began their inaugural season of play in the WFA.
2009[]
The first season of play ended with a championship game, which was played in the rebuilding (post-Katrina) city of New Orleans, Louisiana and was hosted by the New Orleans Blaze. The game was between the St. Louis Slam (American Conference – St. Louis, MO) and the West Michigan Mayhem (National Conference – Kalamazoo, MI). The game came down to the last few plays and the St. Louis Slam became the first National Champions in the WFA with a final score of 21–14. Additionally, there was an International Game played between the upstart Aguilas Regias of Monterrey, Mexico and the hosting team, New Orleans Blaze. The Blaze won this game 12–0.
2010[]
The WFA grew in the second year (2010) to have over 40 teams competing for the national championship. The national championship for the 2010 season was accompanied by the first All-American game. The term All-American is used by the WFA to represent the best players at all positions from all WFA teams. The teams were chosen partly based on statistics and partly based on the vote of head coaches. The All-American game was played just before the championship game in Las Vegas, Nevada and was hosted by the Las Vegas Showgirlz. The All-American game was won by the American Conference. The second championship in the WFA would again come down to the last few plays and have a score differential of only four points. The Lone Star Mustangs (American Conference – Dallas/Fort Worth) defeated the Columbus Comets (National Conference – Columbus, Ohio) to become the second National Champions of the WFA by a score of 16–12.
2011[]
As the Women's Football Alliance prepared for the 2011 season, they were scheduled to have over 60 teams playing across the United States. They again grew due in part to new teams starting and in part due to established teams moving in from other leagues, most notably the New York Sharks,[1] D.C. Divas,[2] Chicago Force,[3] Dallas Diamonds, and Kansas City Tribe.[4] In the 2011 WFA championship, which was held in Bedford, Texas, the Boston Militia defeated the San Diego Surge 34–19 to claim the title.
2012[]
The WFA opened the season with 60 teams. The 2012 WFA National Championship game took place at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home stadium of the NFL franchise Pittsburgh Steelers; it was the first women's football championship game to be played in an NFL stadium.[5] After losing the title game in the previous season, the San Diego Surge returned to win the 2012 championship 40–36 over the Chicago Force.
2013[]
The WFA opened the season with 50 teams. Running back Whitney Zelee (Boston Militia) made headlines in 2013 by becoming the league's first player to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a football season, setting a league record of 2,128 yards.[6] After losing the title game in the previous season, the Chicago Force returned to win the 2013 championship over the Dallas Diamonds 81–34 at Balboa Stadium, San Diego, California.
2014[]
The WFA opened the season with 42 teams. The preseason was capped by the inaugural WFA International Bowl, in which the Mexican All-Stars defeated the Austin Outlaws in exhibition. The Boston Militia became the league's first two-time champion in 2014, winning 69–34 in a title rematch with the San Diego Surge at Lane Tech Stadium in Chicago, Illinois. During championship weekend, the league introduced a new mid-major bowl game: the Alliance Bowl. The Seattle Majestics of the American Conference faced the Indy Crash of the National Conference in a contest to "showcase of the depth of quality teams that exist in the Women's Football Alliance."[7] The Indy Crash prevailed 26–12. This season was also notable for the introduction of Kenneth Massey Ratings into the league's playoffs system.
2015[]
The WFA opened the season with 40 teams, the fewest since the league was first established in 2009. The preseason concluded with the second WFA International Bowl Game Series, in which the Mexican All-Stars went 1–1, defeating the Tacoma Trauma before falling to the Seattle Majestics. The D.C. Divas defeated the Dallas Elite 30–26 in the WFA National Championship game at Los Angeles (Calif.) Southwest College Stadium. The Central Cal War Angels beat the Atlanta Phoenix 28–8 in the Alliance Bowl.
2016[]
The WFA opened the season with 43 teams. Allison Cahill of the Boston Renegades reached a new milestone in sports by becoming the first quarterback to attain 100 victories playing exclusively in women's football leagues.[8] WFA executives launched a new league structure consisting of three divisions/tiers. They also announced the W Bowl as their new brand for the WFA National Championship game. With a 28–26 victory over the Dallas Elite, the D.C. Divas won the inaugural W Bowl and their second national championship in as many years. The St. Louis Slam downed the Tampa Bay Inferno 38–7 to claim the Division II championship. The Acadiana Zydeco defeated the Richmond Black Widows 20–18 in the Division III title game. All three games were played at Joe P. Michaela Stadium in Imperial, Pa.
WFA Teams[]
2019 Season Teams[]
American (Western) Conference[]
Team | Location | Home Field |
---|---|---|
Acadiana Zydeco (div III) | Lafayette, Louisiana | Teurlings Catholic High School in Lafayette, Louisiana |
Arkansas Wildcats (div III) | Benton, Arkansas | Mills High School in Little Rock, Arkansas |
Arlington Impact (div I) | Arlington, Texas | R.L. Anderson Stadium in Arlington, Texas |
Austin Outlaws (div III) | Austin, Texas | Texas School for the Deaf in Austin, Texas |
Cali War (div I) | Los Angeles, California | Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California |
Comal County Camo (div III) | New Braunfels, Texas | Brooks Collegiate Academy in San Antonio,Texas |
Dallas Elite (div I) | Dallas, Texas | Prestonwood Christian Academy Lions Stadium in Plano, Texas |
Eastern Sierra Mustangs (div III) | Bishop, California | Bishop Union High School in Bishop, California |
Houston Energy (div II) | Houston, Texas | Pearland High School in Pearland, Texas |
Houston Power (div III) | Houston, Texas | Houston Baptist University in Houston, Texas |
Inland Empire Ravens (div III) | Riverside, California | Arlington & North High Schools in Riverside, California |
Iowa Phoenix (div III) | Des Moines, Iowa | Saydel High School in Des Moines, Iowa |
Kansas City Titans (div I) | Kansas City, Missouri | Truman High School in Kansas City |
Kern County Crusaders (div III) | Bakersfield, California | Bakersfield West High School |
Las Cruces La Muerta (div III) | Las Cruces, New Mexico | Field of Dreams in Las Cruces, New Mexico |
Mile High Blaze (div II) | Denver, Colorado | 5 Star Stadium at Thornton Middle School in Thornton, Colorado |
Minnesota Vixen (div II) | Minneapolis, Minnesota | Kuhlman Stadium in Edina & Tiger Stadium in Farmington |
Mississippi Panthers (div III) | Jackson, Mississippi | Old Pearl High School Field in Pearl, Mississippi |
Mississippi Royalty (div III) | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | San Antonio Field in Hattiesburg, Mississippi |
Nevada Storm (div III) | Reno, Nevada | Damonte Ranch High School Fernley High School Galena High School |
Oregon Hawks (div III) | Eugene, Oregon | Wolverine Stadium in Eugene, Oregon |
Phoenix Phantomz (div III) | Phoenix, Arizona | Moon Valley High School in Phoenix, Arizona |
Portland Shockwave (div I) | Portland, Oregon | Roosevelt High School in Portland, Oregon |
Rio Grande Heat (div III) | Santa Fe, New Mexico | Capital High in Santa Fe, New Mexico |
Rocky Mountain Thunderkatz (div III) | Colorado Springs, Colorado | The Vanguard School in Colorado Springs, Colorado |
St Louis Slam (div II) | St Louis, Missouri | St. Mary's High School in St. Louis, Missouri |
Seattle Spartans (div II) | Seattle, Washington | Frank Goddard Memorial Stadium in Everett, Washington |
Sin City Trojans (div III) | Las Vegas, Nevada | Desert Pines High School in Las Vegas, Nevada |
Southern Oregon Lady Gades (div III) | Medford, Oregon | Eagle Point High School in Eagle Point, Oregon |
Tacoma Trauma (div III) | Tacoma, Washington | Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma, Washington |
Tulsa Threat (div III) | Tulsa, Oklahoma | Tulsa Memorial High School LaFortune Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma |
Utah Blitz (div III) | Salt Lake City, Utah | Judge Memorial Catholic High School in Salt Lake City, Utah |
Ventura County Wolfpack (div III) | Ventura, California | Buena High School & Ventura College in Ventura, California |
Wisconsin Dragons (div II) | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Franklin High School in Franklin, Wisconsin & Union Grove High School in Union Grove, Wisconsin |
National (Eastern) Conference[]
Team | Location | Home Field |
---|---|---|
Baltimore Nighthawks (div II) | Baltimore, Maryland | Woodlawn High School in Gwynn Oak, Maryland |
Boston Renegades (div I) | Boston, Massachusetts | Harry Della Russo Stadium in Revere, Massachusetts |
Capital City Savages (div III) | Lansing, Michigan | Perry High School in Perry, Michigan |
Cincinnati Sizzle (div III) | Cincinnati, Ohio | Hamilton, Princeton, Walnut Hills & Woodward Career Technical High Schools |
Cleveland Fusion (div II) | Cleveland, Ohio | Maple Heights High School in Maple Heights, Ohio |
Columbus Comets (div II) | Columbus, Ohio | Grove City, Ohio Christian School |
Columbus Vanguards (div III) | Columbus, Indiana | Knightstown, Indiana High School |
(Western) Connecticut Hawks (div III) | Fairfield, Connecticut | John Perry & Stephen A. Kaplanis Memorial Fields in Danbury, Connecticut |
D.C. Divas (div I) | Washington, D.C. | The St. James in Springfield, Virginia |
Daytona Waverunners (div III) | Daytona, Florida | Daytona Stadium in Daytona Beach, Florida |
Derby City Dynamite (div III) | Elizabethtown, Kentucky | Holy Cross High School in Shively, Kentucky |
Detroit Dark Angels (div II) | Detroit, Michigan | McArthur K-8 Universal Academy in Southfield, Michigan |
Grand Rapids Tidal Waves (div III) | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Northview High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Jacksonville Dixie Blues (div II) | Jacksonville, Florida | Andrew Jackson High School in Jacksonville, Florida |
Knoxville Lightning (div III) | Knoxville, Tennessee | Christian Academy of Knoxville, Tennessee |
Maine Mayhem (div III) | Portland, Maine | Fitzpatrick Stadium in Portland, Maine |
Miami Fury (div II) | Miami, Florida | Ted Hendricks Stadium in Hialeah, Florida |
Music City Mizfits (div III) | Nashville, Tennessee | Lighthouse Christian School in Antioch, Tennessee |
New York Knockout (div III) | Albany, New York | Schenectady High School in Schenectady, New York |
New York Wolves (div II) | New York City, New York | Aviator Sports & Events Center in Brooklyn, NY |
Orlando Anarchy (div III) | Orlando, Florida | Lake Howell High School in Winter Park, Florida |
Philadelphia Phantomz (div II) | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Marcus Foster Memorial Stadium in Philly |
Pittsburgh Passion (div II) | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Joe P. DeMichela Stadium in Imperial, Pennsylvania |
Richmond Black Widows (div III) | Richmond, Virginia | Hermitage High School in Richmond, Virginia |
South Carolina Smash (div III) | Columbia, South Carolina | Melvin Park in Chapin, South Carolina |
Tampa Bay Inferno (div II) | Tampa Bay, Florida | Strawberry Crest High School in Dover,Florida |
Tennessee Diamondbacks (div III) | Clarksville, Tennessee | Kenwood High School in Clarksville, Tennessee |
Toledo Reign (div III) | Toledo, Ohio | Scott High School in Toledo, Ohio |
Expansion 2020/ Inactive Teams[]
Team | City | Home Field |
---|---|---|
Carolina Phoenix | Greensboro, North Carolina | Northeast Guilford High School |
Carson City Silver Miners | Carson City, NV | |
Central California War Angels | Merced, CA | |
Chicago Force | Chicago, IL | Lane Technical College Prep High School |
El Centro-Imperial Aces | El Centro, CA | Imperial Valley College Stadium |
Flint City Riveters | Flint, Michigan | |
Indy Crash | Indianapolis, Indiana | Roncalli High School |
Madison Blaze | Madison, Wisconsin | |
Minnesota Machine | Woodbury, MN | Woodbury High School |
Montreal Blitz | Lachine, QC | Dalbe-Viau High School |
New York Revenge | Hudson Valley, New York | |
Oceanside Force | Oceanside, California | |
Ottawa Mudcats | Ottawa, Kansas | |
Rock Hill Lady Raiders | Rock Hill, South Carolina | |
Southern Heroines | Temecula, CA | |
West Michigan Mayhem | Kalamazoo, MI |
Former WFA teams[]
- Alabama Fire – played in the WFA, now in Women's National Football Conference.
- Atlanta Phoenix – played in the WFA, now in Women's National Football Conference.
- Hampton Roads Lady Gators – played in the WFA, now in United States Women's Football League.
- Keystone Assault – played in WFA from 2009 to 2012, now back in the United States Women's Football League
WFA Championship Game results[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
---|---|---|---|
2009 | St. Louis Slam | West Michigan Mayhem | 21–14 |
2010 | Lone Star Mustangs | Columbus Comets | 16–12 |
2011 | Boston Militia | San Diego Surge | 34–19 |
2012 | San Diego Surge | Chicago Force | 40–36 |
2013 | Chicago Force | Dallas Diamonds | 81–34 |
2014 | Boston Militia | San Diego Surge | 69–34 |
2015 | D.C. Divas | Dallas Elite | 30–26 |
2016 | D.C. Divas | Dallas Elite | 28-26 |
2017 | Dallas Elite | Boston Renegades | 31-21 |
2018 | Boston Renegades | Los Angeles Warriors | 42-18 |
2019 | Boston Renegades | Cali War | 52-24 |
Division/Tier II Championship Game results[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | St. Louis Slam | Tampa Bay Inferno | 38–7 |
2017 | St. Louis Slam | Tampa Bay Inferno | 42-15 |
2018 | New York Sharks | Minnesota Vixen | 27-21 |
2019 | St. Louis Slam | Detroit Dark Angels | 34-0 |
Division/Tier III Championship Game results[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Acadiana Zydeco | Richmond Black Widows | 20–18 |
2017 | Arkansas Wildcats | Orlando Anarchy | 42-26 |
2018 | Orlando Anarchy | Arkansas Wildcats | 46-0 |
2019 | Nevada Storm | Orlando Anarchy | 62-45 |
Alliance Bowl results[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Indy Crash | Seattle Majestics | 26–12 |
2015 | Central Cal War Angels | Atlanta Phoenix | 28–8 |
Alliance Bowl Midwest Region results[]
Year | Winner | Loser | Score |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Houston Power | Acadiana Zydeco | 18–6 |
See also[]
References[]
- ↑ Exit, Merle (2011-01-07). "New York Sharks Women Tackle the Football World". Alternet. http://www.alternet.org/culture/149446/new_york_sharks_women_tackle_the_football_world. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ↑ "Bipartisan tax relief measures proposed in Maryland". http://www.gazette.net/gazettecms/story.php?id=2010. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ↑ "Chicago Force begin try outs, ladies are you ready to play some football? - Call Of The Wild". http://www.chicagonow.com/blogs/call-of-the-wild/2010/11/chicago-force-begin-try-outs-ladies-are-you-ready-to-play-some-football.html. Retrieved 2017-02-28.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ "Heinz Field To Host SilverSport Women's Football Alliance National Championship". Pittsburgh Steelers. http://www.steelers.com/news/article-1/Heinz-Field-To-Host-SilverSport-Women%E2%80%99s-Football-Alliance-National-Championship/e4f593be-42ba-47dd-8da7-766a82cd0272. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ↑ Staffieri, Mark. "Whitney Zelee Emerging as the Finest Running Back in All of Women's Football". Bleacher Report. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1675886-whitney-zelee-emerging-as-the-finest-running-back-in-all-of-womens-football. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
- ↑ "2014 WFA National Championship Weekend" (Press Release). Women's Football Alliance. http://www.wfafootball.net/pressrelease2.html. Retrieved 23 September 2014.
- ↑ "Cahill Notches 100th Career Victory" (Press Release). Boston Renegades Women's Football. http://bostonrenegadesfootball.com/cahill-notches-100th-career-victory/. Retrieved 5 September 2016.
External links[]
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