Detroit Dark Angels Explained

Pixels:200px
Founded:2010
Folded:reorganized as the Venom
League:Women's Football Alliance
History:Detroit Dark Angels (2010-2021)
Stadium:The Hawk Community Center
Colors:black, crimson, white
Owner:DDA Football, Inc.
President:Alecia Sweeney
Coach:Keith Thomas
Championships:0
Conference Titles:2 (2019, 2021)
Titles:1 (2012)
Mascot:Dark Angel

The Detroit Dark Angels were a women's semi-professional American football team founded in 2010 by Chuck Lauber and Aaron Brothers.[1] In 2014, the team was purchased and reorganized as a 501(c)3 corporation DDA Football Inc., by a group that included former Detroit Demolition players Alecia Sweeney and Yarlen Henry along with Coach Keith Thomas.

Based in the Detroit, Michigan area, the Dark Angels played their home games at Southfield HS and The Hawk Community Center Farmington Hills, Michigan. The Dark Angels were members of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) and competed in Division 2 of the WFA's three-tier structure.

History

The Detroit Dark Angels were founded in 2010 by Chuck Lauber and Aaron Brothers following the discontinuation of the Detroit Demolition. Players from the Demolition formed the core of the new team. Former Demolition players included linebackers Kim Walters and Misty Findley, tackles Lisa Miles and Mindy Corby, running back Aisha Moore, center Alecia Sweeney, wide receiver Kristine Vidojevski and lineman Catherine Moss.[2] The team was led by Head Coach Tony Gaisser (3-5) in their first season.

In 2011, Darrin Wubbenhorst (22-20) was named Head Coach, a position he held through 2015.

In 2016, the team was purchased and reorganized as a 501(c)3 corporation DDA Football Inc., by a group that included former Detroit Demolition player Alecia Sweeney. Keith Thomas (25-19), a long-time member of the coaching staff, was named Head Coach.

Westland John Glenn High School was established as the Dark Angels's home venue in its inaugural season, until 2016. The team then changed home stadiums several times, moving to Wayne Memorial High School in 2017, Southfield Lathrup High School in 2018, and the HAWK Community Center in Farmington Hills in 2021.

Highlights

Highlights for the team include the 2012 season when they went undefeated 8–0 in the regular season. They were eliminated in the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Passion.

The Dark Angels got revenge on Pittsburgh when they eliminated the Passion in the 2019 WFA Division 2 National Conference Championship Game. The victory propelled the team to their first national championship game, but they fell to the St. Louis Slam.

In 2021, the team's final season, the Dark Angels again reached the WFA Division 2 National Championship Game but lost to the Nevada Storm.

Season-By-Season

|-|2010 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 3rd National North Central || --|-|2011 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd National North Central || --|-|2012 || 8 || 1 || 0 || 1st National Mideast || Lost National Conference Wild Card (Pittsburgh)|-|2013 || 2 || 6 || 0 || 3rd National Great Lakes || --|-|2014 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 3rd National Great Lakes || --|-|2015 || 2 || 6 || 0 || 4th National Great Lakes || --|-|2016 || 3 || 5 || 0 || 4th National Great Lakes || --|-|2017 || 4 || 4 || 0 || 8th National Conference (Tier 2) || --|-|2018 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 5th National Conference (Tier 2) || --|-|2019 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 3rd National Conference (Tier 2) || Won Regional Final (Columbus Comets)
Won National Conference Final (Pittsburgh)
Lost WFA Division 2 Championship (St. Louis)|-|2021 || 3 || 3 || 0 || 1st National Conference (Tier 2) || Won Regional Final (Baltimore)
Won National Conference Final (Jacksonville)
Lost WFA Division 2 Championship (Nevada Storm)|-!Totals || 50 || 44 || 0|colspan=2|

[3] [4]

2010

Season Schedules

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 10West Michigan MayhemHomeLost 0-52
April 24Toledo ReignAwayWon 7-6
May 1Cleveland FusionAwayLost 12-39
May 15Dayton DiamondsHomeWon 45-0
May 22Pittsburgh ForceAwayLost 14-31
June 5Cleveland FusionHomeLost 14-34
June 12Toledo ReignHomeWon 20-0
June 19West Michigan MayhemAwayLost 0-73

2011

Season Schedules

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 2Kentucky KarmaHomeWon 14-0
April 9Cincinnati SizzleHomeWon 33-7
April 16Indy CrashAwayLost 6-33
April 30Toledo ReignAwayLost 6-19
May 14Dayton DiamondsHomeWon 69-0
June 4Toledo ReignHomeWon 33-6
June 11Dayton DiamondsAwayWon 57-0
June 18West Michigan MayhemAwayWon 24-14

2012

Season schedule

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 14Pittsburgh ForceAwayWon 35-6
April 21Toledo ReignAwayWon 35-0
April 28Cleveland FusionHomeWon 14-6
May 5West Michigan MayhemHomeWon 26-14
May 12Wisconsin DragonsHomeWon 60-0
May 19Columbus CometsAwayWon 7-0
June 2Pittsburgh ForceHomeWon 54-6
June 9Cleveland FusionAwayWon 17-14
June 23Pittsburgh PassionAwayLoss 0-34

2013

Season Schedules

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 6Chicago ForceAwayLost 0-62
April 13Indy CrashAwayLost 6-22
April 20West Michigan MayhemHomeLost 0-40
May 4Indy CrashHomeWon 6-0
May 11Chicago ForceHomeLost 0-61
May 18West Michigan MayhemAwayWin 19-13
June 1Columbus CometsHomeLost 0-24
June 8Pittsburgh PassionAwayLost 0-31

Roster

Jersey NumberNamePositionHeightWeightYearsExperienceHometown
2Davidson, EnikaDB5'7"15088N/A
3Leduc, AndreaWR5'4"1251RookieDearborn Heights (Albion)
4Dietrich, BriLB5'8"18022Romeo,MI (Wayne State University)
5Mathews, DominiqueRB4'9"12812Detroit, MI (University of Michigan)
6Russell, LeilaniFS5'5"13022Detroit, MI (Renaissance)
7Beier, NicoleQB6'2"17514Fort Wayne, IN (St. Marys)
8Vidojevski, KristineQB/WR5'7"1201313Riverview, MI (Wayne State University)
9Kosanic, BrookeWR/RB5'7"12055Grand Haven (Michigan State University)
10Lachlainn, SabreenaDL/P5'9"18048Drummond, MT (Northern Michigan University)
11Barc, AmandaDB5'7"12522Madison Heights, MI
12McKay, LaquetiaRB5'4"15033Detroit, MI (Murray Wright)
13Wilber, KendraFS5'8"17511Onronagon, MI (Finlandia University)
14Castillo, AlyssaTE5'10"18011Hamilton, MI (Albion)
15Kuhl, DawnWR5'6"1251RookieAdrian, MI (Stautzenburger College)
20Mooney, KristenRB/WR5'5"13022Canada
21Carter, Keontay (ke-ke)RB5'7"15022Detroit, MI (Eastern Michigan University)
22Tucker, CortneyLB5'7"19744Royal Oak, MI (Madonna University)
23Wahl, KatelinLB5'6"17022Clinton, MI (Siena Heights University)
24Floyd, LaToyiaLB5'7"15088Detroit, MI
25Raboczkay, MelissaWR5'5"11711Taylor, MI (Eastern Michigan University)
26Barney, MoniqueLB5'5"1701RookieDetroit, MI (RIT)
28Nugent, AndreaDB5'7"15066N/
29Wiechers, KimberlyFS/DB5'7"14011Rhode Island (Wayne State University)
30Williams, Ajae’shaDT5'3"16511Jackson, MI (Eastern Michigan University)
31Bacchus, JenniferWR5'8"15024Kinston, NC (Mt. Olive College)
32LaFrance, DeidreFB5'8"216310Detroit, MI (Western Illinois)
33Ballard, JessicaDB5'5"12411Dexter, MI (Washtenaw Community College)
35Salkeld, KonstantineLB/DB5'5"15022Madison Heights, MI (University of Michigan)
36Clark, StaciaRB5'9"20022Chicago, IL (Eastern Michigan University)
42Doughty, DelaineyLB5'8"15022Midland, MI (Madonna University)
43McGowan, ErinDE5'7"15022Brown City, MI (Michigan State University)
44Guyton, CheronLB/RB5'8"16022Highland Park, MI (Oakland University)
45Halloway, EbonySS5'11"1671RookieDetroit, MI (Henry Ford)
48Hall, ChristinaTE5'6"19011Detroit, MI (Henderson State University)
50Allen, DominiqueDT/DE5'10"20811Detroit,MI (Wayne State University)
51Adams, Ciaraxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
52Mann, CorniceOL5'7"20511(Le Cordon Bleu)
53Wunderlich, JanaOL5'11"18511Chemnitz, MI (Tech College)
54Moore, TaylorOL5'8"20012Lansing, MI (Middle Tennessee State)
62Adams, CaelinOL5'9"1751RookieN/A
63Cherry, YolandaOL5'8"20088Highland, MI
66Brewer, BrandyOL5'3"185410Saline, MI (Central Michigan University)
68Mundy, AnnquenettaOLN/AN/A1RookieLenox, MI
74Sweeney, AleciaC5'8"N/A99Royal Oak, MI (Western Michigan University)
75Robinson, CelesteOL5'11"25024Southfield, MI (New York University)
76Seay, MarickaC5'11"18511Detroit (Macomb Community College)
77Toure, LisaOL5'4"18555Army Brat (Wayne State University)
78Dewey, AnnieOL5'9"22522Clarkston (Central Michigan University)
83Luther, CherylWR5'6"1381212Flatrock, MI (Life University)
88Witchen, KellyWRN/AN/A22N/A (Ohio State)
92Moss, Catherine (Cat)DT5'2"17599Imlay, MI (Wayne State University)
93Henry, YarlenDE5'10"169410Miami, FL (Webber International University)
96Corby, MindyOL5'10"N/A55Marysville, MI
97Crosby, ErikaLB5'6"16611Goodrich (Michigan State University)
98George, TakantaDT5'8"2001010Romulus, MI

References

Notes and References

  1. News: Goodwin . Marvin . Dark Angels Bring Women's Pro Football Back to Detroit Tonight . 30 April 2021 . The Oakland Press . 9 April 2010.
  2. News: Goodwin . Marvin . Dark Angels Bring Women's Pro Football Back to Detroit Tonight . 24 November 2021 . The Oakland Press . 9 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20210430060322/https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/dark-angels-bring-womens-pro-football-back-to-detroit-tonight/article_707c0ade-a439-50d0-9cea-c60fd366202c.html . 2021-04-30 .
  3. Book: Rozendaal. Neal. The Women's Football Encyclopedia. 20 January 2016. 978-0-9970637-0-7. 187.
  4. Web site: Rozendaal. Neal. The Women's Football Encyclopedia - 2016 Addendum. nealrozendaal.com. 22 January 2017.