Keller Students Think Outside the Box
 Trinity Meadow Intermediate students in Keller needed a unique offensive game plan to secure new PE equipment and a modern exercise room. Thinking beyond the typical candy or coupon book sales, the 5th and 6th graders joined forces with the 3-Time World Champion Dallas Diamonds Women’Äôs Professional Tackle Football Team.
Hearing about their need, the Diamonds gladly stepped in to help. ’ÄúAnything we can do provide them with good equipment is worth our time’Äù, said Amy Ashkinazy, Player Relations Director for the Dallas Diamonds. ’ÄúWe absolutely love motivating young people to stay active and work hard to achieve goals.’Äù
To kickoff the fundraising efforts, several of the Diamonds players, management, and Head Coach Todd Hughes invested time in the students helping them understand the importance of physical activity and eating healthy. League MVP and Keller Adaptive Physical Education Teacher, Jessica Springer shared with the students how throughout her life, sports has enabled her to stay fit, challenge herself, and grow as a person.
Former Keller athlete and crowd favorite, Danilynn Welniak, encouraged the students to put down the candy bars and pick up sports to excel in life. The Diamonds Receiver also stressed the importance of a college education enabling them to succeed in life.
Three Rookies for the Diamonds Running Back Odessa Jenkins, Offensive Guard Holly Headen, and Defensive Back Kip Watson also revealed their insights with the students. Jenkins reminded the students they are the most important part of achieving their goals. She encouraged them to not let others impact them when they tell them they are ’Äòno good’Äô or ’Äòcan’Äôt do it’Äô. Headen, who got the most laughs from the students, told them how she used to be a couch potato and very unhealthy. Now, she says, ’ÄúI’Äôm 45 and playing professional football. I am not supposed to be here, but I am because I made the choice to eat right and start moving.’Äù
The students had a contest to sell tickets to the IWFL game of the week between the Diamonds and the Atlanta Xplosion. Kendra Maher scored the most ticket and cap sales. She joined the Diamonds Captains on the field for the coin toss Saturday and she had sideline privileges throughout the game.
The Diamonds’Äô, which include several Keller residents, next home game is Saturday, May 17th at 7:00pm against the Iowa Crush. All home games are at Pennington Field in Bedford. For more information on the Dallas Diamonds, please visit their website at www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com. |
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Diamonds Blast the Xplosion!
Nerves were at their peak Saturday. At least one Coach and several players admitted upset stomachs prior to this match up. Two league champions in women’Äôs professional tackle football faced off at Pennington Field. Only one team came out on top. And it was the Dallas Diamonds who remained in command defeating the 2006 IWFL champions, the Atlanta Xplosion, 37-14.
The Diamonds made key offensive and defensive plays in this decisive win. Nonetheless, if the Xplosion had been a little more accurate and avoided some unnecessary penalties, the score in this intense battle could have been a lot closer.
Winning the coin toss, Atlanta’Äôs offense took the field first. A penalty and lost yardage lead to a punt. This allowed the Diamonds to start their offensive charge on Atlanta’Äôs 41 yard line. Seven plays later, Diamonds’Äô powerhouse Jessica Springer put the first points on the board with a six yard run. Emily Tidwell made the extra point and quickly the Diamonds lead the Xplosion 7-0.
The showdown between champions continued during the first quarter. Both teams drove the ball but were unable to penetrate either defense. Anticipation of a long night closed the first quarter with no change in the score.
The 2nd quarter saw more explosive plays from both sides of the field. Dallas drove the ball to the 16 yard line when Felicite Medie for Atlanta picked off a pass from Diamonds QB Karen Seimears. Medie ran it back to the Diamonds 36 and suddenly Atlanta was in position to tie the game. Known as the ’ÄòPsych Ward’Äô, the Dallas Defense ended any hopes of a tie game when Linebacker K. Spain recovered a Dallas caused fumble.
As this intense battle raged on, Dallas Receiver Dani Welniak took a big hit and left the game injured with a broken ankle. Stepping in to fill her shoes, all-around utility player Monica Foster. Playing both sides of the field, Foster had one of the best games of her career. Some great blocking on the outside, a few long runs, and a 24 yard hook-up between Foster and Seimears left the ball on the Dallas 24 yard line. The home crowed exploded in cheers when Seimears found rookie Umeeka Webb in the end zone for a touchdown. With 1:40 left in the half, Dallas lead Atlanta 13-0.
Atlanta did not back down, but the Dallas Defense made sure they did not move across the field. Veteran Linebacker KB Bowman chased down Atlanta QB Charmaine Chin and batted down an attempted pass. Two consecutive delay of game penalties against the Xplosion hurt their chances for a score. Once they did get a snap off, rookie Odessa Jenkins jumped in for a Diamond interception. At the end of the half, Dallas remained on top 13-0.
The Diamonds opened the second half with a field goal by Tidwell. On the next series, Seimears connected with Springer. The Diamonds Captain rumbled through defenders for a 53 yard touchdown. The extra point was good and the jewels jumped ahead 23-0. Two possessions later under the command of QB Laura Cantu, Springer again caught a short pass and marched through the Atlanta defense for 26 yards and her third touchdown of the game.
The Xplosion finally cracked the Diamonds defense in the fourth quarter. Speedy Receiver Onetha Cannon raced for 30 yards to put Atlanta on the board for the first time with 8:37 left in the game. The Diamonds immediately retaliated on the first play of the next possession when Springer pummeled her way through seven defenders during a 67 yard run and her fourth touchdown. With just over eight minutes left in the game, the Diamonds led 37-7.
Atlanta took advantage of the good field position in their final series of the game. Chin finally split a couple of Diamond defenders and connected for six points. But with 40 seconds left in the game, it was too little too late. The Diamonds won this showdown of champions to remain unbeaten for the season.
Next on the Diamond schedule is the Miami Fury on May 10th in Florida. The Diamonds return home to meet the Iowa Crush for the first time on May 17th at 7:00pm at Pennington Field in Bedford. For more information on the Diamonds and for tickets call 817-595-3126 or visit www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com. |
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After Week 2, Gems Still Shining
The Dallas Diamonds left the confines of D/FW Saturday, finally stopping in beautiful Albuquerque, New Mexico, for the first road trip of the year. The New Mexico Menace, no strangers to the Diamonds, opened their season at home and, for the 3rd time in as many years, opened to the former champs as well. The mischevious ones came out swinging but in the end were no match for the depth of Dallas.
Diamond defender Alberta Fitcheard-Brydson (#24) picked up right where she left off with Kansas City by snagging her 3rd interception of the year and setting up the Diamonds first score. Tight-end Rachel May (#82) punched it in shortly thereafter and the Diamonds quickly went up 7-0 with 11:04 to go in the 1st quarter. The second series for the Menace resulted in a fumble which was then recovered by KB Bowman (#56) for the Diamonds at the 25 yard line. A quick sprint for Jessica Springer on the next play would lead to the Diamonds second score. With 7:59 left in the first, the Menace opted to punt away to end their series but a bad snap on the punt rolled to the end zone and was subsequently downed for a Diamond safety.
The Menace were led on the field by captain/linebacker Anneke Blair (#55) and speedy receiver/running back Telita Huffman (#21) but were just never really able to get anything started on the offensive side of the ball while the Diamonds eventually just wore down the Menace D. The Menace never quit while giving it all they had and in the end just lacked depth, but not heart.
Overall, 5 different Diamonds saw the end zone and 2 TD's came on kickoff returns so all 3 facets of the Diamonds put points on the board - Offense, Defense and Special Teams. Jessica Springer (#46) once again led the points brigade with 5 td's followed closely by rookie Odessa Jenkins (#3) with 3. Rachel May, receiver Danilynn Welniak (#89) and running back Tiffany Meyer (#32) also crossed the goal line in the contest. The Diamond D kept the goose egg on the board for their second perfect match of the year.
Next up is Atlanta who took the IWFL crown in 2006. The Diamonds may be new to the league but are certainly no strangers to dethroning former champions so look for the home team to implode the Xplosion on Saturday, April 26th, at Pennington Field in Bedford.
In addition, the Dallas Diamonds are once again teaming up with the Tarrant County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in an effort to help further their promise to save lives and to end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. The Diamonds pledge $2 from every ticket sold at the gate for this game with Atlanta so round up friends and family and join us for a great cause and a fierce fight!
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Diamonds Disband the Tribe
The Dallas Diamonds spent the majority of Saturday night enjoying the clear skies and Spring-time weather at Pennington Field in Bedford. The first game of the 2008 season for the former champions was certainly unlike the previous season openers, many of which began in the late July or early August Texas heat. But the action on the field was more of the same for the Diamonds who, over the past 6 years, have compiled a 50-12 record including 2 undefeated seasons.
The Diamonds first game in the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) was against the Kansas City Tribe who were playoff contenders for the league in 2007. The Diamonds began the night with a quick set of downs culminating in an apparent touchdown pass to Diamonds tight end Joy Gafford (#84). That play was called back, however, on a formation penalty by the offense. But the champs would not be deterred as the Diamonds MVP Jessica Springer (#46) eventually ran the ball in for one of her 5 td's on the night.
Overall, the Diamonds had 512 all-purpose yards on the night with 8 touchdowns and a field goal to round it off for a 58-0 victory. One of the stand-out plays of the game was by defender Alberta Fitcheard-Brydson (#24) who missed the 2007 season to give birth to her second daughter. Saturday, she certainly made a statement during her debut back on the gridiron as she had 2 interceptions on the night - running the first one back for a touchdown - and 4 solo tackles. She was also presented the game ball by Head Coach Todd Hughes at the end of the game as a reward for her efforts. Look out for her to again be a huge defensive factor down the stretch in '08.
Springer, once again showing why she is an all-around MVP, dominated on both sides of the ball with 4 rushes for 76 yards (2 TD), 3 receptions for 84 yards (2 TD) and 3 punt returns for 84 yards - one of which also went for a 46 yard TD. In addition, she introduced herself to the Tribe QB with a sack and 3 tackles on the defensive side of the ball.
As for the Diamond rookies of '08, Odessa Jenkins (#3) rose to the top of the class with 6 rushes for 98 yards and a touchdown. Her version of the shuck-n-jive gave the Tribe all they could handle for 40+ yards on a single run until she was tripped up on the 3 yard line. She was able to cash in on the next play for her first career touchdown. Veteran Rachel May (#82) powered in the other touchdown for the Diamonds while she tacked on 105 yards from 14 rushes on the night.
The Defense was led by veterans Kelly Brown (#43) with 11 tackles, Jen Welter (#47) with 8 tackles and a sack, crowd favorite Ivette "Moma" Young (#51) with 4 tackles and a sack, Ingrid "Tiny" Mitchell (#90) with 3 tackles and a sack, KB Bowman (#56) with 5 tackles and Valerie Murawka (#81) with 4 tackles. Jennifer Ferrell (#21) also came up with an INT for the Psych Ward.
On the offensive side of things, Quarterbacks Karen Seimears (#9) (4 of 9 for 47 yards) and newly appointed Diamond Laura Cantu (#2) (5 of 6 for 126 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT) commanded the Diamond receiving/rushing corps led by Springer, May, Jenkins, Danilynn Welniak (#89) (5 rushes for 20 yards, 3 rec for 49 yards, 4 punt ret for 31 yards and 3 tackles) and rookie Umeki Webb (#87) with 1 reception for 25 yards. Another notable during the contest was veteran kicker/linebacker Emily Tidwell (#80) with 7 extra points, 1 field goal, 2 tackles and one sack.
Look for the Diamonds to turn up the heat on the Atlanta Xplosion when the team returns home to Pennington Field on April 26th. The next contest is in New Mexico against the Menace on April 19th. For more information on the Diamonds "Quest for Four", visit the Diamond website at www.dallasdiamondsfootball.com or call 817-690-3126. |
 Diamonds Join Forces with the AHA to Combat Heart Disease
The Dallas Diamonds and the American Heart Association have joined forces in an effort to combat heart disease and to help try to find a cure for both heart disease and stroke. A little know fact is that heart disease in the #1 killer of women in Tarrant County.
For the May 17th game, the Diamonds pledge $2 from every ticket sold at the gate to go to the Tarrant County division of the American Heart Association. In addition, a heart survivor will be performing the coin toss to begin the contest. "The Diamonds organization is proud to be working to help to try and find a cure for this disease", stated Dawn Berndt, Diamonds CEO. "The fact that women are more affected by this disease also brings it closer to home for us as a team and as women and we would love to see the community turnout to help support this fine cause." The Dallas Diamonds play in the highly competitive Independent Women's Football League (IWFL). The home opener is April 12th at Pennington Field in Bedford and the Diamonds are fully primed and ready to bring home a 4th championship to the metroplex. |
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 Diamonds and Komen Team Up for the Cure
The Dallas Diamonds are proud to announce that they are teaming up with the Tarrant County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure in an effort to help further their promise to save lives and to end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures.
So for the first 2 games of the 2008 season, the Diamonds pledge $2 from every ticket sold at the gate for the home games played on April 12th and April 26th. 'We are thrilled to partner with the Susan G. Komen Tarrant County Affiliate and assist in fighting this disease', stated Shelley Burnson, Dallas Diamonds General Manager. "We have many players, administrators and fans of our organization who have been affected by breast cancer - related to both men and women - in one way or another and several who continue the fight currently with family and friends. We hope the public will support the cause and join us for a couple of great nights of athleticism all the while supporting and promoting both women's sports and Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Tarrant County." |
