Passion kicks off season at D.C. looking for 21st playoff berth
The Pittsburgh Passion have accomplished something the Steelers and Penguins have not: qualified for the playoffs for 20 consecutive seasons.
Coach Teresa Conn, in her 12th season, hopes team will make it 21 after the team completes its six-game schedule in the Women’s Football Alliance.
The Passion opens the season Saturday at Thomas Jefferson High School in Alexandria, Va., against the D.C. Divas. The Passion defeated the Divas, 36-12, in 2022.
The teams will meet at West Allegheny, home of the Passion, on June 3.
“They’ve become our big rival,” Conn said. “We have a good nucleus of veterans and young talent. We’re looking forward to the season and qualifying for the playoffs again.”
The Passion have won three championships.
This season will be the first for the Passion without Hall of Fame co-owner Franco Harris. The team will dedicate the season to Harris.
The Passion finished the 2022 season with a 5-3 record, 4-2 in their conference. They lost to the Boston Renegades in the semifinals.
Alyssa George returns as quarterback for the 2023 season. She completed 39 of 76 for 491 yards and five touchdowns.
Marcelina Chavez, who will line up at quarterback, running back and wide receiver, will see the football a lot. She rushed for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Maria Fautali is the main running back. She rushed for 180 yards last season.
Wide receiver Jana Meister had 11 catches for 204 yards and four touchdowns.
“We have a lot of weapons,” Conn said, “and our defense is solid.”
The defense is led by middle linebacker Hannah Daman (48 tackles), linebacker Devon Peace (33 tackles) and veteran lineman Kim Zubovic (19 tackles, seven for losses). Chelsea Biggers had three sacks.
A couple new players Conn is excited about are lineman Kylie Roebuck and linebacker Maddison Miller.
“I’m very optimistic about the season,” Conn said. “We’re looking forward to making another playoff run.”
The games will be broadcast on the Women’s Sports Network.
Paul Schofield is a TribLive reporter covering high school and college sports and local golf. He joined the Trib in 1995 after spending 15 years at the Daily Courier in Connellsville, where he served as sports editor for 14 years. He can be reached at pschofield@triblive.com.
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