The West Virginia Wildfire is looking for a few good women - who can be downright defensive (or offensive) at the snap of a football.
The Wildfire is a women's tackle football team which belongs to the Women's Spring Football League. The team's inaugural season, as the Wildfire, got underway last April, with home games played at the Riverside High School football field in Belle.
According to its website, the West Virginia Wildfire's mission is: "to give women athletes in West Virginia an opportunity to play full-contact football as an organized sport while creating a unique entertainment experience for our community and our fans. To further the sport of women's football by creating awareness in our area and giving young girls with the hope of one day playing the sport the opportunity. To be involved in community service events promoting fitness initiatives and the advancement of women and girls."
Bob Koontz of Charleston is the head coach of the West Virginia Wildfire, which he co-owns with his wife, Kimberly, who also plays both the offensive and defensive line for the team.
The tentative spring roster thus far includes Jennifer Arbogast of Charleston, Tiffany Boggess of Charleston, Keri Bragg of Turtle Creek, Bobbie Braley of Fraziers Bottom, Jessica Burnette of Marmet, Liz Honegger of Montgomery, Adrienne Kees of Oak Hill, Kimberly Koontz of Charleston, Fanica Payne of Dunbar, Mercedes Robinson of Marmet, Leslie Scott of Charleston, Nakia Summers of Teays Valley, Kisha Walker of Charleston and Samantha Williams. Aside from Koontz and Walker, who have three years of experience each, all of the players will be entering their second season with the Wildfire.
Last year's season began with rocky results; in April, the Wildfire were blanked twice by the Cape Fear Thunder. On April 20, the Wildfire lost 40-0 to Cape Fear. A week later, they fell 47-0 to the Thunder.
In May, the Wildfire fell to the West Virginia Bruisers 13-6. In June, they tied the Cape Fear Thunder 6-6 in their first meeting and lost 13-6 in the second matchup. The West Virginia Bruisers defeated the Wildfire 16-6 on June 18.
All-Star players for the 2011 season were Adrienne Kees, Jessica Burnette, Jennifer Arbogast, Fanica Payne, Nakia Summers and Samantha Williams.
Spanning the United States, the Women's Spring Football League started play two years ago. The league is divided into 11-player and eight-player divisions.
The 11-player teams include: the Arkansas Rampage, the Atlanta Heartbreakers, the Baltimore Burn, the Binghamton Tiger Cats, the D.C. Saints, the Finger Lakes Falcons, the Frederick Saints, the Huntsville Tigers, the Iowa Thunder, the Louisville Belles, the Mass. Chaos, the New Jersey Titans, the North Texas Knockouts, the Savannah Vizionz and the Tri-State Bruisers.
As well as the West Virginia Wildfire, the eight-player division is made up of the Cape Fear Thunder, the Carolina Freedom, the Desert Fire Cats, the Kansas City Phoenix, the Las Vegas Heat, the Nevada Storm, the Racine Pirates, the Salt City Arch Angels and the Ventura Black Widows.
Women 18 years old or older (or 16 and 17, with parents' permission) are encouraged to try out for the Wildfire. For more information, including donations or sponsorship opportunities, direct e-mail messages to wildfirefootball@gmail.com or call/text 304-542-8831.