Staying Alive / Vanguards try to keep playoff hopes afloat in final three games

High school football is three months away, but the Columbus Vanguards women’s professional team still has some football left to enjoy for local football fans, with a shot at the Women’s Football Alliance playoffs on the line.

The Vanguards are in their first season playing in the WFA, and the last playoff bracket that was sent out had them just inside the Tier lll playoff picture before losing their last game against the Minnesota Vixens, the top team in Tier ll. The Vanguards have a shot at getting back into the playoff hunt with a win against the Toledo Reign on their home field at Knightstown High School at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“We actually lost 40-0, but they are the No. 1 team in Tier ll,” said Brittany Haworth, who is the co-owner, safety and defensive backs coach. “Losing to them is a heartbreaker, but it’s something that we learn from as a brand new team. Other than that, these girls are learning on and off the field on the dedication that it takes to actually be in the WFA.”

The WFA is split into three tiers, with Tier l being the best. All new teams have to start in Tier lll for at least the first two seasons, but the Vanguards (1-4) have played a number of Tier ll squads in hopes of gaining as much experience against quality competition as they can.

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On the Vanguards roster of 20 women are 14 rookies who have never played tackle football before the season started. They started the year with a 45-0 shutout in their home opener against the Flint City Riverters before losing four consecutive games.

Three of the past four losses have been against more experienced Tier ll teams, including a one-touchdown defeat to the Wisconsin Dragons on April 28. Three games are left in the regular season.

“We fight hard every game. We face some tough opponents,” rookie quarterback Mackenzie Dye said. “Our last three games were Division lll, so we got to hang in with the big dogs. We fought hard every game, and I couldn’t be more proud of my team … We’re facing a Division lll team after facing three Division ll teams, I feel like we’re on pace for a win this weekend.”

Haworth said she never wants to enter a game with the mindset of thinking they’re guaranteed to win a game, but she also is confident that Saturday is a winnable one for the Vanguards. Haworth has been playing tackle football since 2012, but said there have been a few difficult challenges in the Vanguards first season.

“It’s been hard. It’s not easy at all, especially being a new team,” Haworth said. “But I have learned that these girls are learning and striving to learn. It’s getting easier the more we go.”

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What: Columbus Vanguards vs. Toledo Reign

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Knightstown High School 

Remaining regular-season games; May 26 at Knoxville (Tennessee) Lightning; June 9 vs. Cincinnati Sizzle at Knightstown High School. 

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