WEST VALLEY CITY — Angie England has played sports such as hockey, softball and soccer, but none of them get her blood pumping like football.
For most of her life, England has been relegated to watching football from the sidelines. She finally has a chance to play now, thanks to the creation of the Utah Blitz, a new women's football team that will play its inaugural game on Saturday.
"Football has always been number one as far as what I like the most," said England, a receiver for the Blitz. "We just haven't had that opportunity as women. Now, those doors are being opened, and I'm embracing the opportunity. It's pretty great."
The Blitz are a part of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA), a league that was created in 2009 "in order to create the highest level of football for women in North America," according to the WFA's Web site. The WFA had 32 teams last season and is now comprised of 41 teams from cities throughout the United States.
For players such as England, a single mom from North Ogden, it's a dream come true.
"When I was little, I was (mad) — the boys got all the fun sports, and they got all the glory and stuff," she said, adding that playing football is everything she'd hoped it would be. "What don't I like about it? Even getting hit, I love it. Hitting somebody else — I love it — catching the ball, throwing the ball, I mean every aspect of this game is a beautiful thing to me, and I love it."
Lisa Jensen, a linebacker for the Blitz who teaches psychology at Riverton High, enjoys the physical aspect of playing football.
"Nothing better than hitting people legally," she said.
And the Blitz will get a chance to do just that in their inaugural game against the Las Vegas Showgirlz on Saturday. Utah, which has been working out for several months in preparation for Saturday's contest, will play its home games at Granger High. Tickets are $5, and children under the age of 12 get in free.
The Blitz are coached by Greg Cover, and he got involved with the team because he wanted to help females get the chance to play football, especially two who are close to him. "I have an 11-year old daughter (Daija), and for the last couple of years, she's been saying she's going to be the first NFL female quarterback and she's going to win the Super Bowl," Cover said. "Well, this is her opportunity, her avenue to play football. I have a younger sister (Blitz fullback/lineman Nicole Carrell), and I watched her watching us play in Little League and high school, just (mad) at the world because she couldn't play. And this is her opportunity. That's what motivated me to do it."
Cover said his team has come together nicely, although he wouldn't mind having a few more weeks to prepare for a tough Las Vegas team. He has been thrilled with how well his players have taken to coaching. Some players knew little about football when the team started practicing.
"These girls have a lot of heart and determination," said Cover, who used to coach in Riverton's Little League program. "They just want to learn. And I don't have to un-coach them. Daddy didn't tell little Bobby 'do this,' so with these girls, it's all fresh. All the coaches love that, because they learn quickly."
The Blitz's willingness to learn will be a big factor in the team's ability to be competitive in their inaugural season. Utah features players from inside the state and out, with different backgrounds, careers and lifestyles. There are single moms, stay-at-home moms, professionals and even a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force, Lisa Berente.
The Blitz will run a spread-style offense and a 4-3 base defense. The team features 50 players and nine coaches, and none of them are paid for their services. They have seven games scheduled, with four of them at home. They also host Portland on May 8 and June 12, and Las Vegas again on May 22.
And make no mistake, the Blitz will be playing serious football. It's 11-against-11, full-padded, full-contact football. The Blitz understand there will be skeptics about their ability to play, but they say to see them in person before judging them.
"I would just say come see us — see the opportunity that we've been given," Jensen said. "There's women out here with heart, women out here that hit. There's women out here that hit a lot harder than people give us credit for. It's a great opportunity. You've got teams all over the United States out there wanting to play this sport. This is the real deal."
Utah Blitz
They will begin their inaugural season Saturday against Las Vegas at Granger High.
Tickets are $5, and children under the age of 12 get in free.
The games are played under traditional football standards — 11-vs.-11, full-padded, full-contact, NFL rules.
None of the coaches and players are paid for their services. The team is looking for sponsors and marketing partners.
The team and league can be followed at www.utblitz.com and www.wfafootball.com.
2010 SCHEDULE
Saturday, vs. Las Vegas, 5:05 p.m.
April 24, at Portland
May 1, at Las Vegas
May 8, vs. Portland
May 15, at Central Cal
May 22, vs. Las Vegas
June 12, vs. Portland
e-mail: aaragon@desnews.com