For two years, Columbus Vanguards safety and co-owner Brittany Langley has wanted her team to play home games in Columbus instead of their current home field at Knightstown High School.
On Saturday night at Columbus North, her dream will finally be a reality when the Vanguards kick off against the Maine Mayhem at 7 p.m. for a Women’s Football Association (WFA) Division III Regional Championship.
The Vanguards are the top seed within their region with a 5-3 overall record, including 5-1 against Division III foes. Their other two losses came against Division II teams. A team’s division is determined by the experience of the players on its roster.
“The players have worked hard all year to secure the top seed,” Langley said. “Being able to host the game in Columbus is a huge opportunity. It’s an opportunity to reward fans who made the hour-and-a-half trip to Knightstown to see home games, and it’s a chance for people who wanted to watch us but couldn’t go because of the travel. We owe it to the people of Columbus to show them who we are, since we are representing them. We hope to break the WFA 2019 attendance record of 2,208 Saturday night.”
The Vanguards have plenty of representation on the All-American first team because of their success this season. Running back Essence Houston-Buckner, linebacker Angelita Furman and center Christa Martini all made the squad.
“Christa is a great leader,” Vanguards quarterback Christy Fox-Martini said. “She’s made a real difference on the field once she joined our team in the third game of the season. She was able to tell the rest of the offensive line where to shift and how to block on plays, and that made my job easier.”
Superior line blocking for Buckner and second-team All-American running back Tyra McGrady is a huge key that unlocked the Vanguards’ explosive running attack that has averaged 201.3 yards per game. The two backs have combined for 939 yards and 12 touchdowns on 99 carries.
On the other side of the field, Furman has spearheaded a stingy team defense that has given up just 99 points all season, an average of 13.4 per game. Furman has made 80 tackles, including 13 for losses.
The loss of both of their quarterbacks due to injuries threatened to derail the Vanguards’ sophomore season, but veteran WFA signal caller Fox-Martini stepped up behind center, joining the team two days before its third game. She started that game and quickly emerged as a team leader.
One key to the offense’s success is the team huddle.
“They didn’t huddle last season,” Fox-Martini said. “As the quarterback, I’m a leader within that huddle and the positive attitude of our huddle determines our play on then field. The huddle is our time to come together after a play and encourage each other and remind teammates that we have each other’s back.”
For the first time in franchise history the Vanguards will huddle together on a football field in Columbus Saturday, something that Fox-Martini eagerly anticipates.
“I’ve played for the WFA’s Indy Crash, and when they pass out flyers in Indianapolis advertising the team, people already know about them,” she said. “A lot of people in Columbus have had a very different and excited reaction to the Vanguards because they haven’t heard about them yet. Playing in Columbus is huge for this team.”
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Columbus Vanguards vs. Maine Mayhem
What: Women’s Football Association Division III Regional Championship
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Columbus North High School
Admission: $10, or $5 for 15-and-under
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