Cleveland Fusion, all-women's tackle football team
Real Women. Real Football. For those who think the words ‘women’ and ‘football’ so close together, or even in the same sentence is an oxymoron, the Cleveland Fusion would like the opportunity to say, ‘t’ain’t so!’ For the fourth year, women from Cleveland and the surrounding area will don football ‘armor’ just like the men do; shoulder pads, helmets, mouth guards — and the occasional bandage —to do battle with an opposing team of like-minded females. 2005 will be a season of change for the Cleveland Fusion, as well as the other teams in the National Women’s Football Association. Due to a realignment of the teams by the NWFA, there are just two divisions this year—North and South—as opposed to the previous six. Consequently, each team plays a mixture of familiar rivals and new-to-them existing teams or sometimes completely-new expansion teams.
There are also differences in the coaching staff and the players; some are returning, some are new. Head Coach will be Paul Bounds, who started the previous two seasons as Head of Football Operations for the Fusion. However, midway in the 2004 season, he became Head Coach, and will continue in both positions for this year. “I’m very optimistic,” he says about the team for 2005. “When you play the same teams each year, you can develop a degree of comfort. But new teams bring a new excitement to the mix. New teams, new cities—way different from the same old, same old.”
One experience that will carry over, however, is that of playing at an NFL stadium. In April, 2004, the Fusion hosted the Columbus Comets at Browns Stadium in Cleveland. This year, the Fusion will travel to Detroit on Mother’s Day (May 8) to play the three-time NWFA champion Detroit Demolition at the domed Ford Field, home of the Detroit Lions. (This is a change from the originally published schedule.) The Fusion are the only team that has ever defeated Detroit, having done so in their first season.
First-time opponents this year are the season-opening (Washington) D. C. Divas, (the Fusion lost, 18-0), Indianapolis Saber Katz?—this Saturday, April 23 at Bedford High School Stadium—the Pittsburg Passion and the Cincinnati Sizzle. Familiar foes are the Southwest Michigan Jaguars, and the Indiana Thunder in the final game, to be played at South Bend on June 18th. The Baltimore Burn will also return, having traveled here for a playoff game in 2003, which was won by the Fusion.
Assisting Coach Bounds this season are new members of the coaching staff: Offensive Coordinator Keith Johnson (who has championship rings as a running backs coach for Benedictine); Jason Antczak, Receivers Coordinator; Linebacker Coach Ray LaMarca, and Defensive Assistant Tony Bavaro (promoted from staff writer last season!). Returning coaches are Offensive Line Eric Ball, Defensive Coordinator Rob Kolmorgan, Defensive Assistant Coordinator Eric Keister and Richie Sayles, Special Teams Coach.
The team will be a mixture of rookies and veterans, including a couple of standouts from the past. 2004 Player of the Year Lisa Heinl heads the list, returning for her fourth season. She will be joined by other three-year veterans—linebackers Stephanie Balochko, Vicki Krupka, Wanda Ross and League First Team All-Star and 2004 Defensive MVP Jen Ryba; 2004 Offensive MVP running back Martina Latessa and League First Team All-Star tight end Shauna Nevel. Other returning vets from last year are the entire defensive line, including League Second Team All-Star Peru Barber.
Quarterback will be Casey Stinson, who played that position last year with the Toledo Spitfire. If a backup is required, Shauna Nevel will fill-in. An additional receiving target this year will be Lori Johnson who did not play last year, but was an offensive standout in previous years. Rosemary Morgan as the only returning offensive tackle will anchor her new line-mates.
Always noted for its excellent defense, having the entire squad returning will provide Coach Bounds with the stability to implement a strong defensive system. Encouraged by the returning veteran players, he sees the team becoming even more of a ‘family’ — a necessary component for a successful season. “It may not be the same type of talent we had in 2003, but still very good. This is not necessarily a team with individual stars, but overall, the other coaches and I see a team of football players.”
In 2003, Michelle Skotch played the final few games with a cast on her wrist, which didn’t seem to slow her down a bit. Happily for the team, she’s returning to join up with former defensive partner Jen Ryba. Bounds says either of them are “as good as any in the league.”
“Women can do anything they want to, especially if they think they can,” says Coach Bounds. “They may not have the brute strength, but most of our women were athletes before they came to us, so it’s mostly a matter of them learning the terminology, and learning to be aggressive—how to hit.”
The women LOVE to hit or tackle. Time after time, when talking to a player about playing tackle football, you’ll hear "It’s so great to be able to hit (tackle) someone and not get into trouble for doing it!" One of the more vigorous defensive backs for the Fusion is Marie Spencer. Looks are especially deceiving in her case, as her appearance would lead one to think a strong wind would bowl her over. Not so. She’s been known to take out a player twice her size—and, laughing, to come back for more!
The reality of the 2004 season for the Cleveland Fusion didn’t end up much like the dreams the team shared at the beginning of their third season. But now it’s time for dreams again. Listen. You can hear the referee’s whistle—the roar of the crowd—the solid thunk as foot hits ball, and a group of highly-motivated ladies—all ages, all sizes, all colors—indulge in their favorite athletic contest. For fun—and the love of the game!
Tickets are available at the gate, or on-line. Keep up with the team at http://www.clevelandfusion.com or call the team office at (440) 816-1457 for game information. All home games are played at Bedford High School Stadium on Northfield Road, just south of Rockside.
from Cool Cleveland contributor Kelly Ferjutz, Staff Writer, Cleveland Fusion
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