July 24, 2018
BOSTON — The Boston Renegades are heading to Atlanta to face the Los Angeles Warriors in the Women’s Football Alliance National Championship on Saturday, July 28. This is the second year in a row that Boston will play in the national championship game. The Dallas Elite took the league title last season by a score of 31-21.
The Renegades seek redemption in working toward a different outcome in 2018, defensive end Brooke Goodman (#97) shared. “What happened last year shaped our whole theme, Time to Finish, for this season. A game like that is something you never forget and it’s certainly something that has motivated us.” Center Ashley Beckham (#80) echoed just how pivotal last year’s championship game was to this season. “It was instrumental in fueling the fire for the 2018.”
The Renegades’ road to redemption hasn’t been without obstacles, namely longtime rivals in Pittsburgh and D.C., who each denied Boston a victory during the regular season. In the playoffs, however, the Renegades overcame the Pittsburgh Passion 63-26, and the D.C. Divas 34-32, both on the road. Should Boston prevail in the national championship game, they would be the first team since 2006 (Atlanta Xplosion, IWFL) to capture a major national title by winning three consecutive games away from home. They would also become the first team since 2007 (SoCal Scorpions, WPFL) to win a major national title despite having two losses on their season record.
The Los Angeles Warriors are heading to the championship for the first time since being established in 2009, thanks in part to the addition of players from the Central Cal War Angels, who ceased operations in the off-season. The Warriors punched their ticket for the league title match with a 27-14 road win over the Kansas City Titans. While Los Angeles running back Priscilla Gardner (the 2017 leader in rushing yards and touchdowns) has been a force on the West Coast in recent years, the Warriors’ offensive playbook has grown with their expanded roster and the vertical throwing ability of former War Angel quarterback Chantel Niino-Wiggins, who was 2016’s passing yards and touchdowns leader.
Although Boston has never faced Los Angeles, there is little change to how they prepare says offensive guard Amanda Alpert (#50). “It’s watching film — getting an idea of who lines up across from you, how each person works, and knowing what they do in any given situation. It doesn’t change the way we practice. The fundamentals are the fundamentals no matter who we play.”
📹 The Boston Renegades will play Los Angeles in Atlanta on Saturday for the Women’s Football Alliance National Championship.
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) July 25, 2018
Sue Sheldon – RB
Whitney Zelee – RB coach / former player
Cliff Ashley – Special Teams coordinator #WBZ @GoRenegades @WFAfootball pic.twitter.com/Wl0GGarUUO
When planning for the Renegades, there is naturally a lot of emphasis on the strong play of veterans like quarterback Allison Cahill (#7), wide receiver Emily Beinecke (#87), and 2018 National Conference MVP Chanté Bonds (#21) but Beckham shared that the entire collective drives the team’s success. “Our roster is full of playmakers, tremendous athletes, and excellent team players. When you have a team like that, you can expect to watch one cohesive unit.”
Nose tackle Laura Pula (#72) added, “We have our playmakers, but Renegades football is about these fifty women who love football and play together. That’s exactly what we are coming down to Atlanta to do.”
One major addition to Boston’s roster from last season is the three-time champion Alpert, who was sidelined for last year’s championship game due to her pregnancy. “I was fortunate to be able to be there and coach, but it’s not the same. Being able to play side by side with these amazing women in the biggest game of the year is an incredible experience and I can’t wait to do it again.”
For Beckham, this game has always been in focus for the Boston Renegades. “The moment our season ended last year, I knew we would be back at this game ready to prove ourselves. We would never settle for anything less.”
To stream the 2018 WFA National Championship, visit http://www.wfaprofootball.com/2018-national-championship/watch-2018-wfa-national-championship/. To stay up to date on the Boston Renegades, visit https://www.facebook.com/BostonWomensFootball/ or follow on Twitter @GoRenegades.
