Coming off a second consecutive IX Cup Championship victory and back-to-back undefeated seasons, the Texas Elite Spartans know they have a target on their backs as the Women’s National Football Conference 2022 season prepares to kick off April 2.
“I don’t think the target has ever been larger,” said Elite Spartans defensive coordinator Kay Spain in an interview with The Dallas Express. “It’s probably every team’s goal to knock us out of the running. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’ve got a bet going to see who can do it first.”
Knocking the Elite Spartans out of the running, as Spain puts it, would be a challenge. Virtually every member of the 2021 defensive unit — who did not allow a single point to be scored against the team during the 2021 regular season — will return for 2022.
Of those defensive players, Spain said Janice Mitchell is one she anticipates will have a breakout season. Mitchell will move to free safety this year after playing at the linebacker spot last season.
Spain also expects a big season from middle linebacker Amber Kimbrough, one of the league’s most dominant defensive players, in 2021.
Another big year is likely in store for defensive linewoman Fancy Robinson. Robinson was nominated for the Billy Hughes Award, named after former Texas Elite Spartans coach Billy Hughes after he passed away in 2019.
On offense, the Elite Spartans will get two players back who have not played in a while.
First is 2019 league MVP Rosan Gore, a fan-favorite whose jersey was among this season’s top ten most-sold, returning to action after missing last season with a shoulder injury.
She is joined by Brittany Satterwhite, who decided to lace up the pads and cleats to compete in honor of Coach Billy Hughes after being out of the game for several seasons.
Offensive coordinator Elizabeth Jenkins is also excited to see how well one of the team’s younger players performs at one of the game’s most important positions. Amanda Morgan will line up at center this season, the spot Jenkins typically plays.
“I anticipate being able to get a series or two under my belt and then let her take the reins in there,” Jenkins said. It is not uncommon in women’s tackle football to see players on both sides of the ball and even coaching on the sidelines between series.
Both Spain and Jenkins said the message for the team this season is to play as one and “be about it.”
Jenkins commented that the Elite Spartans are not known for flashy posts on social media because they are coached to make their message on the field.
“I think the message this year was to not just speak it to be Elite, but to live it on and off the field,” Spain said.
“I do know that we don’t focus a lot on what everybody else is doing,” Jenkins said. “We focus a lot on what we’re doing, and we focus a lot on what our game is and what our responsibilities are and perfecting our craft. So you know, you don’t usually hear a whole lot of noise from Texas.”
“And when we come and meet you on the field is when we show you what we’re about,” she added.
The Texas Elite Spartans will travel to face the Kansas City Glory in Week 1 action on April 2. The WNFC signed a marketing deal this off-season to provide live streaming of all games on the Vyre Network.