Women's Football Continues to Grow

Lyndi Prestgard Falconz LB going in for a tackle on Megann Lohman

by MICHAEL RAMOS

We always look forward to playing the Mile High Blaze. They were the first team to score on us, and they're the only team we've faced which has scored on us in more than one game. Our defense has one goal when we play them: to get a shutout.

As usual, Blaze Coach Terry Lister and his staff had his ladies playing. They were missing players. Wide receiver Kim Santistevan was out, as was quarterback Tyesha Lowery. Lowery is an all-out baller. She's got a great knack for keeping plays alive. She breaks plays and can fire the ball deep downfield. She's a true test for our defense, and it was a shame she didn't play. As a coach, I'd prefer she be in the sideline because she's a headache. As a fan, though, I love to watch her play.

But Blaze QB Stacey Williams stepped up and played well against us. Her passes were on the money. And even though we had three interceptions, she was throwing darts. Passes were just out of reach of our defenders, and their receivers played well. Williams got her team in to the end zone on a deep pass we barely missed knocking down. Even though we won 67-6, the defense really wanted the shutout. So in our opinion, the Blaze got us again.

That's not to downplay our performance. With the three interceptions Saturday, that makes eight picks in two games. However, none of them have been returned for touchdowns, as I've reminded my defense. I like when they're hungry, so whenever they get an interception, I grill them if they don't run it back for a touchdown. Our Falconz offense was as efficient as ever, scoring on nearly every time we get the ball, and that includes our second- and third-string units.

Without question, the Blaze is a great group to play against. On and off the field, they are a commendable group. When I spoke to their players, they always answered with "Yes, sir" or "No, sir". I don't think Yolanda Searcy took any plays off. She was carrying the ball like a beast, making tackles on defense, and blocking on kick return. The only time I saw her take a break was during the two lightning delays, and in between quarters.

If they stay the course, the Blaze has the potential to be a juggernaut. The team is loaded with talent, with a nucleus of players who continue to improve. And they're not afraid to play us. This is particularly refreshing because playing football games should be the reason we're all here. We watch a lot of film whenever we have the Blaze on the schedule.

Not only are they playing solid football, they're playing their local rivals. That means they're bringing more attention and fans to women's football. It'd be nice to get a rivalry like that going in Utah. We have the teams here, we have the talent, it's about time to make it happen.

Until then, we're happy to have friendly rivalries with teams like the Blaze and the Rocky Mountain Thunderkatz. The Blaze was a great opponent to have as we are closing out our schedule. We can use the film against them to continue to teach our players what it's going to take to become a championship team.

They're also a great group to break bread with. Whether home or away, we always get together post-game to have a few drinks. I wasn't able to make it this time around, as I needed to catch a redeye. But I'm looking forward to the next encounter, because it's sure to be a great one.

While I couldn't make it to the fifth quarter get-together between our teams, can I take a second or two to laud Mesa Verde Restaurant inside Denver International? Not only was the food great, our server Allie was a tough little spitfire Coach Lister should look at recruiting. Moral of the story: Colorado is full of tough women. We're playing another one this week. The Colorado Freeze travels to Salt Lake ready to battle. They're a new team, and we're looking forward to another Colorado rival. 

You may have noticed a slowdown in the blog posts. Watching loads of film and preparing for opponents leaves little time for reflection. However, now that we are gearing up for the postseason, it's a good time to reflect on everything that's happened so far. After this week, anything can happen. Our season can be over with one bad half, or with a defense that loses focus.

My job is to make sure we don't lose focus. So right now I'm focusing on more game film.

The State of Women's Football

California Quake defense stopping Danielle Moyes short of carrying the ball over the goal line.

by MICHAEL RAMOS

What is the state of women's football when one team beats another 81-0? It's a legitimate question, because every Saturday, scores like this can be seen across the women's football landscape.

If you look closely, our game against the California Quake provides a couple of answers on what's going on with the game.

The first is there are a lot of teams with a great deal of heart, and passion for the game. The Quake exemplified this in every way. They agreed to play is when others backed out. They knew we had 45+ on our roster, and agreed to meet us with 13 players. You want to be impressed? Watch a team like the Quake play nearly the equivalent of iron-man football.

Regardless of the score, those ladies were impressive. Furthermore, they were well-coached. For a short-handed team, they flew around the field, and gang-tackled. And even though they didn't have any subs, it was offset by the fact they were well-conditioned. The Quake players didn't commit the mental mistakes most teams in that situation normally do. There were few holding or offside penalties, there weren't any pass interference calls because their cornerback was lazy and didn't play good coverage.

What gets lost in the lopsided score is the disciplined brand of football the Quake played. They did the little things. In football and in life, the little things are the difference between winning and losing. Don't believe me? Look at the Olympics, where the gold and silver medal is decided by hundredths of a second. The NBA Finals have been won by a jumper inches from being blocked. This year's Super Bowl was decided by a diving interception at the goal line.

So if you find a team that doesn't jump offsides and swarm-tackles, don't sleep on them. I'll take a team like that all day. Disciplined football is what championship coaches preach.

So a big shout out to the Quake. They earned the respect of every player on the Falconz. If they continue to heed their coaches' advice, and if they can increase their numbers in talent-rich California, they're going to be a handful. Hopefully, this is the beginning of a strong, clean rivalry.

The flip-side to that coin, however, is there are a lot of cowards out there. There are a number of opponents with larger numbers than the Quake which refuse to play us. And while there is a lot of bickering back and forth about which league is the best and which ranking system holds the most weight, the bottom line is teams from the "superior" league backed out of playing us.

Some say it's political, but I'm calling b.s. We steamrolled every team we've played from the WFA, and this year we've done nothing but add size and depth to our roster. If rankings haven't taken that in to effect, they're not worth the paper they're printed on.

But that's a blog for another day.

For now, it's off to Denver to pay the Mile High Blaze. Of all the teams we've played, the Blaze has been able to consistently move the ball against us. They're tough at home, so this is going to be a good game. A tough team that wants to play us? That's great for women's football.

Women Hitting Other Women Makes for Great Stress Relief

The Utah Falconz athletes in the huddle at the start of practice on February 24, 2015.

by BREANN HILLHOUSE

Each Falcon athlete has a driving force behind her, reasons that encourage her to play. Our regular season is rapidly approaching but we are at the hardest part of our practice season; trying to make sense of the jumble of plays streaming through our heads. Before practice began, I asked you guys to tell me why you play. Ladies, in case you’re starting to forget, here’s a reminder as to why you play.

Exercise is good. Real good. 

This is a no- brainer, guys. Everyone is looking for that new fad exercise program that allows you to burn the maximum of calories, experience the minimum of drudgery while having the most fun. Um, that’s football. By joining the team you’ve signed up for a way to get your lazy bones to a two-hour workout three times a week. Some might say that sounds awful, but you’re playing a game with awesome people, like me, and practice flies by. Before you know it, you’re home and you’ve got that lovely level of exhaustion that lets you know you’ve accomplished something and kicked butt while doing it.


Feeling of empowerment 

“I just want to feel like a coward.” Said no one ever. Stepping out on that field makes you feel powerful, like you could accomplish anything you set your mind to. Because you can, you little beastie. Whether your objective is that perfect pass, a solid catch, shedding the block, pulling off the pull or scoring a touchdown- accomplishing your role within the play makes you feel like you could take on the world. And you probably could, ‘cause that’s how amazing you are.

Stress release

Stress is a normal part of life, unfortunately. School, work or being mommy of the year is building your inner pressure cooker and you need to let that top blow. I mean, some people just become alcoholics but you prefer to go to football and lay your friend out. It’s not uncommon to see a teammate tackle another and you think, “Oh, she had a bad day. Clearly, she needed that.”


Being part of something bigger than yourself 

Remember when your parents and teachers beat the importance of teamwork into your prepubescent skull? That’s all starting to make sense now, right? Being a Falcon makes you part of a team and together we are working towards a common goal. Knowing that people depend on you makes you feel important because sometimes being a cog in the working machine feels amazing. This breeds the knowledge that your teammates have your back on the field and you sure know you’ve got their back. That’s a unique experience you’re not going to get at work, where office politics are king. Eventually we will start to see the hard work pay off and that’s more exciting than seeing a unicorn dance ballet. Mostly because unicorns are not very graceful.

Proving a point, taking a stand and shutting up the nay-sayers! 

You play football for the same reason you got that tattoo your parents never found out about. Because somebody told you that you couldn’t do it. Women have come a long way over the last half-century, but football is still considered a man’s sport. You’re going to tell them otherwise, aren’t you? You bet you are. You’re going to break down boundaries and show all the narrow-minded people out there that yes, you are super adorable and yes, you can bake a killer soufflé and yes, you can take down that giantess over there. Humph, that shut’em up, didn’t it?


To make new friends 

Let’s be honest, making new friends as an adult is hard. As a kid you simply stroll up to the nearest child on the playground, share your dessert and suddenly you’re bestest friends. These days if I were to offer half of my Twinkie to a stranger they would think I am weird and/or trying to drug them. The point is moot though because I wouldn’t offer half of my Twinkie to anyone. Maybe grown-ups are more curmudgeonly than our younger selves, but I believe we find it harder to break out of our shell and form lasting bonds. In football we spend extensive time with the same group of women, testing and relying on each other, traveling together, collaborating and sharing success. You can’t help but form genuine friendships. They become family.

Love of the game 

To you, football is more than just any ol’ game. You’ve been a spectator and enjoyed cheering on your favorite team with your friends and family. Perhaps you thought you could play, maybe better. So you got off the couch, stomped down from the bleachers and took the field. This is your passion, what you love to do and you want to do the game justice because this ain’t your momma’s social club!


Do something for YOU 

You work hard, you bet you do. Do you ever feel like the majority of your time is at work/cleaning house/going to school, only to wake up the next day and do it all over again? I mean, there really is no end to laundry, right? You may be considering becoming a nudist just so you don’t have to do laundry again. Well, it’s illegal and also very cold outside. Instead, you do something specifically for you. It’s nice to escape from your regular daily duties and play football because it makes you happy and sometimes you just need to make yourself happy so you can survive the work week. Ironically, football does tend to yield a lot of laundry. I’m real sorry about that, but nothing can be done.


Represent the Mascot Miracles Foundation

When we take the field we are representing the Mascot Miracles Foundation, who do wonderful things for some seriously sick children. We play for the kids and let them know they have an entire football team behind them. Usually we are playing in the name of a specific child and wanting to do well for that kid is a powerful motivator. You will often see Falcon athletes sporting a token of a specific kid and whether we are hoping to give them strength or show their family that they have not been forgotten, we are playing for them.

Be a unique snowflake in our society

I guess you can succumb to the norm. I suppose you could conform to typical hobbies. Although, and this is just a suggestion, you could break out of the mold and dedicate yourself to a past-time completely unexpected. Yeah, you like that, don’t you? You enjoy seeing the raised eyebrows when you tell someone you play football. Because you’re a rare flower and you don’t want to blend in. You much prefer to stand out. And, you do.


To inspire and make them proud

One day I want to hear my grandchildren say, “My Grandma was so awesome, she played football back when it was uncommon for women to play.” It’s pretty neat to show a younger generation that women can accomplish anything. You can see the difference you’re making when you hear little girls proudly state that she’s going to be a Falcon when she grows up. Our family, significant others, friends, coworkers, neighbors and community are behind us, cheering. They give up time with us, come to our games and listen to us talk about football incessantly. The least we can do is work hard and do well to thank them for their unyielding support.

The chance to be the best 

Sure, at the end of the day it’s just a game and we’re not saving the world…that we know of. But it’s our game and we know that anything worth doing is worth doing well. You are striving to be the best; the best in your position, as a team, in our division, in the country. You want to be at the top of your game, to achieve the goals you set and prove that you can push yourself to excellence when your inner, inner voice might say you’re not good enough. You can shut that monologue down because you’re stronger than you ever imagined. People might say keeping a championship in our sights is cocky to assume we’re going to make it that far, but we know the opportunity to work towards a championship is overly enticing. We’ve got our eyes set to the future because everyone wants to bring home that championship title. So whatever your reason, dear Falcon, hold onto that. Remember that you are exactly where you want to be; doing what you love with a team that is pretty awesome.

Is Coach Carroll Really to Blame?

Pep talk at the beginning of Falconz practice. 

by MICHAEL RAMOS

With the game on the line, why in the hell didn't Marshawn Lynch get the ball less than three feet from the end zone? Giving "Beastmode" the ball was a no-brainer.

That's the common theme on Facebook, Twitter and everywhere else after the Seahawks lost to the Patriots. Instead of giving the ball to Seattle's bruising running back Lynch (who ran fairly well against New England), Seattle chose to pass the ball instead. But the subsequent pass by Russell Wilson was intercepted, costing the Seahawks the Super Bowl.

Now everyone wants to know why the play was called, some are even screaming for the Seahawks' Offensive Coordinator, Darrell Bevell, to be fired.

I gave up second guessing other coaches after I became a defensive coordinator. Once I started managing down and distance, substitution patterns, players' and coaches' tendencies, I realized that much more goes on than the average fan will ever see.

It's easy for everyone on the outside to say Lynch should've been handed the ball, and there's strong possibility it would've been successful. Personally, I have no problem with putting the ball into the hands of Russell Wilson. He's got a reputation for being great with the ball. But when plans fail, and fail miserably, people want answers, blood, or a combination of both. But in the midst of the angry mobs, Seattle coach Pete Carroll took center stage and claimed the decision was his. A classy move by a guy who's thinking long term.

Coach Carroll understands more than most that blame is irrelevant, because a bad decision can't be undone. That's why as soon as the backlash started, he got out in front of it. He told the world the fateful decision belonged to him, and him alone. He's doing what great coaches do, and that's taking a bullet for your team when they need it most.

Maybe he called the play, maybe he didn't, that point's irrelevant. Coach Carroll is doing what coaches are supposed to do, he's protecting his OC and his players. He knows the coach is kicking himself. Piling on won't help. By telling everyone, "This one's on me", he's picking up his guys, dusting them off, and getting them ready for another run next year. There's a good chance his decision to take the fall will pay off, Vegas has the Seahawks as the favorites to win next year's Super Bowl.

Rick, Falconz Head Coach, is a great coach to work with. He gives me autonomy to run the defense and personnel. I call plays based off of film study, game situation, but most importantly from the feedback of my assistant coaches. If I get bad information from them, and call a play that costs us the game, that's my fault. Everyone will know it, even Rick.

But he'd take the blame for me nonetheless.

Dear Rookie

Utah Falconz Rookies, wearing blank practice jerseys, watching form and technique from the returning Falconz athletes.

by BREANN HILLHOUSE

Hey there, Rookies.

We see you, ya know. It’s true, we’re watching you in the most non-creepiest way possible. Really, we are sizing you up and checking out what you can do.

To be honest you’re sporting a little bit of the wide-eyed confusion look, and that’s okay; we were all rookies at one point. In fact, it makes us feel better to see you flounder just a little bit because, and this is just between us gals, we did the same thing when we started out.

Do you feel like you’re learning a new language? That would be because you are and none of it is comprehensive. All the lingo, plays, abbreviations, routes and position responsibilities are pretty overwhelming, right? Oh, and we haven’t even gotten to audibles yet, so you have that to look forward to. But don’t you sweat your pretty little head, they are all going to click for you, at least if you’re putting in the work.

Do you find the coaches intimidating? You shouldn’t, they’re all great people who are here to help you learn. They know you’re starting out and if they seem gruff it’s ‘cause they want to push you to succeed. Except…Coach Rick is probably going to remain intimidating to you. I would bet that he likes it that way. Has he gotten in your face and made you forget how to use your words yet? Well, brace yourself, Newbie, it’s probably coming. I mean, your best bet would be to not mess up, but you’re going to mess up and he’s going to catch it and then he’ll make sure you understand that he caught it. The not-so-secret to that situation is to own your mistake, say “yes, coach” and then do it right the next time. Or at least try.

Did you know that we want to see you successful just as much as the coaches do? Without a doubt, we do. Your triumphs are ours and vice versa because we are a team in this. You can talk to us if you’re not quite sure what you should be doing. I can’t guarantee that we will always have the answers on account of some of us not studying the playbook in the off-season but then we will find the answers together, whaddaya say? You know how they say there are no stupid questions? Well, that’s not true, there are tons of stupid questions. Loads and loads of them. We’re just not going to let it show on our faces when you ask one, we’ll answer it without letting on. That’s a good deal, amiright?

The main point is that we see you working hard and asking questions. We can see you pushing yourself and striving to improve and it’s fantastic. We see the passion you have for the game and it’s awesome considering it matches ours. We don’t need no scrubs because a scrub is a player that can’t get no love from me. So, keep up the hard work and we’re going to get along just fine.

Maybe you didn’t know already, rookie, but you just joined a family. The Utah Falconz are like the most adorable gang in that if someone messes with one of us they deal with the whole flock. You get your sisters’ backs, we’ll get yours and that’s how it works.

Perhaps you have played for other teams before, but we’re different. Stick around and you’ll see what I mean. Welcome to the Falconz, you’re going to love it here.

 Sincerely, Falconz Veterans

Disarming the Refs

Maira Alcala runs in a touchdown against the Colorado Springs Thunder Katz at Timpanogos High School

by MICHAEL RAMOS

Referees are horrible. Especially NFL refs. The league specifically told them to help the Dallas Cowboys get to the Super Bowl. Last week, the refs helped the Cowboys beat the Detroit Lions when they didn't call an obvious pass interference penalty late in the game (it wasn't pass interference). This weekend, the refs were ready to hand another playoff win to the Cowboys.

But the refs blew it. They reversed a call (as in, they got it right), and the Cowboys lost. Now it’s the Cowboys’ and their fans turn to whine that a referee's call decided their fate.

Refs should never be blamed for a loss. Directing blame is a copout losing teams use, and it fosters a losing mentality. Not to mention, it covers up the real reasons behind a loss. Nobody is blaming DeMarco Murray for fumbling away a possible touchdown run when he didn’t protect the ball. Nobody’s blaming the Cowboys' offensive line for not protecting their quarterback. I still haven't heard anyone point the finger at the Dallas defense for not stopping Green Bay down the stretch. Most importantly, nobody's criticizing Dez Bryant for not securing the ball at the 1-yard line. (There's little doubt Dallas would've scored from there.)

Instead, everyone's focused on one play involving a referee's decsions, when there were a dozen or so more equally critical plays.

Believe it or not, referees are human, too. They have struggles at home, just like the rest of us. Some of them have loved ones who are sick or dying. Other refs may be going through a nasty breakup or divorce. And like the rest of us, referees have mortgages to pay, and are struggling to figure out how to put their kids through college. If you're depending on them to make a call to save your season, it's only a matter of time before that season comes to an end. As a coach, you have to come up with a method that will allow you to overcome bad calls.

Falconz players are drilled over and over again that we need to be at least 14 points better than our opponents. 14 points is the threshold that should allow us to overcome most obstacles. This includes more than a ref missing a holding call, or calling a penalty that was in the grey-area. It covers a successful Hail Mary pass. It covers a muffed punt that gives the other team the ball inside our red zone. It also allows us room to breathe in the event we throw a pick six, or if our safety slips and gives up a long touchdown pass. 14 points is our insurance policy.

More than that, winning by more than a couple of scores removes any doubt about who the better team is. If you win by a field goal, or a late score, the other team will always feel that they could've beaten you. If you beat them by three or four touchdowns, you hold a huge psychological edge the next time you play each other.

As coaches, it’s important to stress to your team that players decide who wins and loses. Some teams celebrate and high-five when a defensive back knocks down a ball. Not our team. We consider those dropped interceptions, or turnovers, and the entire defense does push-ups. Lorette Cooper, Falconz defensive back, has even dropped down and done push ups during a game.

In practice, we'll often simulate live game situations. One of our coaches will act as the "referee" who's out to get us. He/she will make calls that, in a game, could cost us the win. An interception gets ruled incomplete. Players are called for being offsides or we'll get a bogus pass interference penalty. It can be frustrating, but players know they may have to overcome those calls in order to win. So in practice, when the bad call is made, they roll their eyes, and work to get another stop. We work to take the game out of the hands of the officials, and with good reason.

Those guys blow calls all the time.

Remembering Stuart Scott

by MICHAEL RAMOS

It's not a stretch to say Stuart Scott inspired me. Especially when you see the viral outpouring of support and grief at the news of his passing after 7 years of battling cancer.

Any time you humble Michael Jordan, have Tiger Woods call you a hero, or get the White House to issue a press release about you, you've done huge things. His witty, unorthodox and sometimes controversial delivery made him one of the best sportscasters ever. After seeing his peers, coaches and hall-of-fame athletes moved to tears, it's easy to see his lasting impact.

And for a young kid in high school, growing up with few minority role models, "Stu" was inspiring. He didn't glorify the hood life, or talk about spending all your money in the strip club. He didn't refer to women in demeaning terms. He was well-educated, dressed in sharp suits, and earned money with his mind instead of his body.

He got paid to be clever. He showed black kids you didn't have to play ball to be successful. You could make a living, even become a legend, by using your brain. More importantly, you could be successful just by being yourself. He used hip-hop and one liners to help build SportsCenter. When he started, he was criticized, mocked and even physically threatened. Instead of cowering, he continued to do it his way. Now, all those clever one-liners you hear in sports talk are a direct homage to the work Stuart Scott did.

His work produced something else, also. He helped reduce the racial gaps we sometimes see. White people were running around saying, "Boo-yah", and "Don't hate the player, hate the game". If a guy at church-ball hit a clutch shot, he was "as cool as the other side of the pillow". Not-so-hip guys became hip, and were running around the gym quoting Notorious B.I.G. To me, a guy like that is my brotha, even if he looks nothing like me.

Of all the things I've heard and read over the last couple of days, the most important thing I'll take away was how much he loved his two girls. He endured grueling cancer treatment and beat cancer, only to have it return. When it recurred, he endured more treatment and beat it again, only to have it return a third time. Stuart Scott was still battling when he finally passed away. Through it all, he attributed his fighting spirit to the love and devotion he had for his girls. He didn't want to leave them behind.

Better than all of his catch-phrases, were the words from his speech at the ESPY awards. Basically coming straight from the hospital he said, "When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer, by how you live, and the manner in which you live."

It made me grateful for the things I've been given. I've got a wife, and kids of my own, all of whom make my life more complete than I ever thought it could be.

It made me grateful for our very own Nell Robb, and her own heroic battle against cancer. My tear ducts don't work, but if they did, it would've been the time when Nell, who's faced more adversity than any of us can imagine, took the ball and ran it in to the end zone against the Rocky Mountain Thunder Katz. It was my highlight of our first year.

It made me grateful for Felix Falcon and the Mascot Miracles Foundation. All the work they do to provide comfort and compassion to those stricken with illness, it can't be measured in words. If you look up "hero" in the dictionary, you'd see a picture of Felix and his crew, silly string and all.

And I'm definitely grateful to be coaching the Falconz. Hoki invited me back, and even asked me to help with the team blog. She gave the go-ahead to write about anything I felt strongly about, including this post. Rick, the head coach, gave me autonomy to run the defense. I've been on teams where I've been told how to coach, and that I needed to play Player A over Player B. That's not for me. If I'm going to coach, I'm going to do it in a way that allows me to be true to myself. I learned that in high school, thanks to Stuart Scott.

Judging by the continuing tributes he's received, he's inspired more than just me. The things he did, and the love he had will live on with many of us. That's how you beat cancer.

Boo-yah