D.C. Divas vs Baltimore Nighthawks

D.C. Blasts Baltimore in Season Opener
Kickoff of 10th Anniversary Season Brings Divas' Domination on Both Sides of the Ball
April 10, 2010

(Landover, MD) — If the D.C. Divas were looking to make a statement in last night's season opener against the rival Baltimore Nighthawks, consider the message delivered — loud and clear.

The defending IWFL (Independent Women's Football League) Eastern Conference Champion Divas looked every bit as dominant as the 54-6 final score suggests. Never mind the offseason exodus of many veterans. Never mind the host of new players in new positions — including defensive-back-turned-first-year-QB Kathryn Hemlock. Never mind that Baltimore steamrolled the Philadelphia Firebirds in their opener the previous Saturday.

No, none of that seemed to matter Saturday night. This was, instead, precisely the type of convincing win Divas fans have become accustomed to in the team's first nine years of play. To paraphrase The Who, "Meet the new Divas; same as the old Divas."

The Divas made their offensive mark in the game with a number of drive-sustaining receptions and a touchdown-producing ground game that provided the knockout punch. That "punch" came courtesy of the Divas' running back tandem of Okiima Pickett (#7) and Tiffany Matthews (#34). Matthews' three prolific touchdown runs (two in excess of 60 yards and one for 45 yards) were the backbreaker for the overmatched Nighthawks. For #34, the success on the field was particularly sweet. "Honestly, last season I had a really terrible year," said Matthews. "I was injured, and every game where I thought I was coming back, something held me down. I was determined in this game. And my teammates, all together and all the time, were so supportive. They said, "we want to see the old Tiff, we want to see the old Tiff.""

With the exception of one long run that yielded their lone touchdown, Baltimore's offense had no answer for the Divas stifling defense and special teams. Just like their colleagues on the other side of the ball, the D.C. defense delivered big plays that extinguished any hope for the Nighthawks time and again. In particular, Divas defensive lineman Jay Hodge (#80) picked up where she left off last season — by terrorizing the opponent's backfield. In the first half, Hodge teamed
up with ten-year Diva veteran Amy Juang (#31) for a blocked punt. In the second half, the big play came courtesy of Divas linebacker Aketa Ogletree (#39) and pick-six that closed the door on Baltimore.

The team will now prepare to take their success on the road with a contest against the New York Sharks scheduled for next Saturday. What will it take to pull out a win in the "big apple"? Divas Head Coach Keith Howard has some thoughts. "First of all, I think we still need to continue to be in better condition. And obviously our defensive backs are going to have their hands full because they throw the ball a lot. So we've got to be prepared for that."

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