Woody Cavenaugh

It was a nice day at Durham Stadium as the tailgaters set up their camps and the smell of grilling meat filled the afternoon air. The news was that rain was coming in from the west, but no one was willing to let that possibility dampen their spirits.

From Phoenix VS Th...

From Phoenix VS Th...

During the game I had the pleasure of sitting with "The Order of the Phoenix", there are fans, and there are serious fans. These guys need their own section!

From Phoenix VS Th...

To the ringing of cowbells and the yell of the fans the Thunder receive the ball. Shortly later, it would be the Phoenix's turn. 7:41 left in the first quarter, with Thunder pressure a 20 yard pass finds its way into the end zone, Phoenix score with the extra point and it begins at seven to zero.

It was about here the rain began to fall, it was a nice steady cool rain that sent fans packing into the hallways and out to their cars to get their umbrellas. On the field, the relief of the cool rain was offset by the slick ball and slick field. Fumbles abounded on both sides. In one Thunder fumble a Phoenix line person picks it up and heads for the end zone, they are brought down fifteen yards later dragging three thunder players the entire distance. The crowd went wild!

2:48 in the second quarter, the rainy conditions kept the score low, but the Phoenix do it anyway, conversion is good Phoenix go into halftime with a score of 15 to 0.

Coming back from half time, the rain has let up and the air has cooled considerably. Phoenix receive from the Thunder. A nice kick goes deep only to fall through the hands of a Phoenix receiver. She turns around and chases after it, picks it up nearly in the end zone and proceeds to run sixty yards upfield. Not satisfied with a mere sixty yards the very next play takes it the rest of the way with the first touch down of the second half scored in the first 50 seconds of play. Conversion fails Phoenix 21, Thunder 0.

8:13 the Phoenix capitalize on a Thunder fumble and two plays later cross the line, extra point is good, Phoenix now up by 28.

12:21 in the 4th quarter the Phoenix break out for a great big run, the extra point is good phoenix now up by 35.

4:43 left in the game in a move that rattled our ear drums and cleared the stands, the Phoenix player known as "Predator" heads toward the end zone. A Thunder player moves to intercept taking a place as an impassible wall between the ball and scoring. Predator however didn't see a wall, she only saw grass that needed mowing down. *BOOOOM!* with the sound of shattering Thunder, nothing in the world is left to stop the mighty Predator!
Final score Phoenix 41, and the new Tier 2 South Atlantic Champions!

From Phoenix VS Th...

After the game, players and fans from both teams converged on Time Out sports bar in Durham for some good food and some good times. I always love these events because once there you can never tell one team from the other. What happens on the field stays on the field and everyone has a good time.

Next stop for the Phoenix: Montreal Canada for a playoff game against the Tier 2 North Atlantic Champions the Blitz. Here's as good a place as any to post a special message to the fans from Coach Tim Holmes:

The Carolina Phoenix Women's Tackle Football Team needs your help. We have won the South Atlantic Division Title of the Independent Women's Football League (IWFL). We will advance to the playoffs which will take place in two weeks in Montreal, Canada. If we are successful and we completely expect to be, we will continue on to the Championship game in Chicago on July 26th.

We focus on offering women an opportunity to play a sport that they love. Through sports, women are empowered to be successful in their careers and in all areas of their lives. Our team is comprised of teachers, students, stay-at-home moms, business professionals and many more. We are a diverse group of women from all walks of life.

We pay to play for the love of the game and could use help with the expense of the road trips with gas prices at $4 per gallon. In exchange for your assistance, we can offer advertising opportunities in next year's program which is sold at every home game and presented at all community service activities. In addition, you would be listed as a featured sponsor on our website. Check us out at WRAL/Yahoo Sports:

If you are interested or know someone who might assist us, please contact Marketing Coordinator, Leigh Holmes at marketing (at) carolinaphoenixfootball.com You can also done directly via paypal to the same email address.

Yeah...go back and watch the video again. That's my wife! :) She's a killer at large, and she's on the loose!