COMETS NEWS & EVENTS

April 17, 2012 Columbus, OH -- The Columbus Comets (Womens Football Alliance National Conference Division III) are pleased to announce the continuing partnership with a Columbus City School during its 2012 home games.

For the eighth season the JROTC unit from South High School will be presenting the colors at Comets home football contests.

"The Comets are appreciative of the efforts of the principal, Dr. Wiley and JROTC Commander Major Friedman. It is a good partnership between the Comets and the JROTC members and their mission", said Hank Patterson, Head Coach. “We appreciate their presentation of the colors and many veterans who attend our games, active and former military members of our team also appreciate their service”, he continued.

Comets Prepare for 2012 Season

Columbus, OH -- The Columbus Comets continue to prepare for the 2012 season.

With the opening game coming up in April, the team will travel this Saturday, March 31 for a three way scrimmage. The team will travel to Louisville, Kentucky to scrimmage the Derby City Dynamite and Huntsville Tigers. The scrimmage site will be at Louisville Metro Park (5008 East Indian Trail). The series of scrimmages will begin at 1:00 p.m.

"The coaching staff looks forward to the scrimmages and seeing our players against other teams. We hope to have gain insight into how ready we are as a team for this season as well as see our players in action against the Dynamite and Tigers," said Head Coach Hank Patterson. "This is a positive for our team so we can build on our strengths and determine how to move forward with any weaknesses," he continued. The Comets open the season on April 21 in Chicago. The first home game will be April 28 against the Pittsburgh Passion.

2012 Schedule

Columbus, OH -- The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) has released the 2012 league schedule for the Columbus Comets Women's Professional Football team. The regular season includes an eight game schedule.

The schedule includes two new opponents that the Comets have not played. Included are the Chicago Force and the Detroit Dark Angels. The Comets open the 2012 season April 21, 2012 against the Chicago Force in Chicago.

"Our opponents this season will be teams that are great and perennial powerful football programs, stellar athletes. Each game and team we play will test our abilities, leadership, and skills. We will continue to play hard nosed Comets football and have as one goal a return to the National Championship game," said Head Coach Hank Patterson.

The regular season contests are:

The team plays home contests at Huffaker Sports Complex located at Grove City Christian School, 4770 Hoover Road in Grove City.

2012 Mini-Camp & Tryout Dates

Columbus, OH -- The Columbus Comets have finalized details concerning the try-outs for the 2012 Comets football team.

The try-outs are open to women who want to become part of one of women"s football premier teams. "We are looking for women who want to be part of a team that has high goals, performance, and playing excellence," said Hank Patterson, Head Coach. He continued,"previous experience is not necessary and in the past we have had Division I athletes, women athletes looking for a new sport and those not previously involved in sports at the try-outs. Our bar for players is high and we invite women who can dedicate themselves to Comet standards to try-out. We have had players from all areas of Columbus as well as from Cincinnati, Dayton, Canton, Cleveland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania on our team and at try-out camps." "We have an excellent coaching staff working each practice with all players to improve skills, so that should not deter anyone from thinking she cannot play football and achieving that dream," he concluded. The try-outs will be held at Huffaker Sports Complex, Grove City Christian High School, 4770 Hoover Road, Grove City, Ohio (43123). Try-out dates and times are:

Saturday, October 1
Saturday, October 8
Saturday, October 15
Saturday, October 22
Saturday, October 29
Saturday, November 5
Saturday, November 12

Try-outs will be conducted from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. Participants should plan to arrive by 1:45 p.m. to complete paperwork. Workout attire (athletic shoes, gym shorts, shirts etc.) should be worn and players should dress for the weather (try-outs are held on inclement weather days). Participants should bring along water to drink in hot weather.

Try-out segments can include timed runs (10 yards, 20 yards, and 40 yards), star drill, broad jump, shuttle runs, tractor tire turns. It is advised that potential participants begin to prepare for the try-outs.

The Comets return to action in April 2012. The league schedule has not been formally released.

LOCATION:
GROVE CITY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
HUFFAKER COMMUNITY SPORTS COMPLEX
4770 HOOVER ROAD
GROVE CITY, OHIO 43123

INFO: HEAD COACH, HANK PATTERSON - 614-284-3652

Patterson Chosen to Coach All-Star Team

July 8, 2011 - Columbus Comets Head Coach Hank Patterson has been selected by the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) for a post season game.

Patterson will be head coach for the WFA National Conference All-American Team.

The All-Star game will be played in Dallas, Texas during the WFA Championship weekend on July 29 to July 31, 2011.

The game will feature WFA All-Star players from both the American and National Conference. The game will be played at Pennington Field, Bedford, Texas. Kick-off is at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 30, 2011.

"I am pleased to have been asked to be the Head Coach in this All-Star game," said Patterson. "The players and coaches will work hard to bring a victory for the National Conference," he concluded.

Comets Participating in Westland 4th of July Parade

Columbus, OH - The Columbus Comets are set to march in the July 2, 2011 Westland Fourth of July Parade. The parade starts in Westland at 9:30 a.m.

Players, coaches and staff will take part in the parade both on the Comet float and walking.

"We are looking forward to taking part in this parade and honoring the day and important historical purpose that it celebrates," said Hank Patterson, Comets Head Coach. He added, "We look forward to seeing everyone at the parade, meeting old friends and making new friends and fans of the Comets."

Comets Named to the 2011 WFA All-American Team

Columbus, OH - The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) has released the 2011 roster for the WFA All-American team.

As in previous seasons the list of names includes members of the Columbus Comets. The Comets are in the National Conference of the WFA.

Named to the All-American First Team were:

Kimberly Klesse - Tight End
Stephanie Jeffers - Offensive Tackle
Carolyn O'Leary - Center
Jo Ann Gardner - Linebacker
Ivy Ortman - Free Safety
Dietra Sherwin - Strong Safety

"We congratulate each of these players on this accomplishment. They represent some of the best players in the WFA and in the National Conference. I know from talking to each of them that they believe their honor is due in part to the work of their respective teammates," stated Head Coach Hank Patterson. He added, "Each of these players were dedicated to the mission of the Comets and work to make the team and WFA a stronger force. I know the coaching staff is proud to coach each of them."

End of the 2011 Season: 5-3 Record

June 19, 2011 - Columbus, OH
In the final regular season game for the 2011 season, the Comets travelled to Pennsylvania to take on the Pittsburgh Force. Great play and many individual efforts led to a win in the final game for the Comets. The defense held the Force scoreless and at the end of the four quarters the final score was 64-0.

Head Coach Hank Patterson stated "We persevered throughout the 2011 season and ended with a decisive victory tonight. Our foundation for the next season has been cemented into place and we hope to come back in 2012 and be the team to be reckoned with in the WFA. Our team pulled together today and played team ball, with a lot of great individual efforts." He continued by noting "Quarterback Crystal Davis put together a group of great drives, made some crisp passes that led to touchdowns. Breanne Martin, Denise Martin and Stephanie Stevens all had powerful runs and made important yardage for the team. Our fullback corps of Snyder and MacGregor found blocks and did well when they got the ball. Our receiving corps led by Barnes, Jones, and Klesse, had some great receptions that led to important gains as well as touchdowns. The offensive line was on task and had a great game protecting the passer and allowing for our running yards.?

"The defensive unit was on lockdown tonight. The play to end the game by Dietra Sherwin preserved the shutout. Her effort when she intercepted the ball and took it 98-99 yards for a score to end the game has not been done by many in football. Jo Ann Gardner demonstrated why she is at the top of the WFA in tackles this season. Our defensive line play, our defensive backs that stepped up and great individual defensive efforts by many kept the Force offense in check - - which is what we expect of our defense," Patterson concluded.

Head Coach Hank Patterson Columbus Comets regular season coaching record is 60-21. The Comets end the 2011 season at 5-3.

Information on tryouts for the 2012 season will be forthcoming in the next few months. Interested players should watch the website.

COMETS ADVANCE RECORD TO 4-3

Columbus, OH - In a game shortened by severe storms and weather, the Columbus Comets brought the 2011 season record to 4-3. With a final score of 8-0 the team defeated the visiting Erie Illusion at Huffaker Sports Complex.

The Comet defensive unit did not allow the Illusion offense to get on track and stymied their pass and run game. The Comets drove early in the game before a fumble at the 8 yard line one that was recovered by the Illusion. Following that series, the offense took control. The offensive line led the running game with strong blocking and Quarterback Crystal Davis found several receivers for big gains. The drive was capped by a run and the team converted on a two point conversion to make the score 8-0.

Head Coach Hank Patterson stated "This was important game to re-establish with a victory and solid play. Unfortunately, the game was shortened by weather; however, we saw some promising things to continue to build upon. We appreciated all the fans that came out and waited the game out with us. Their loyalty and support are greatly solid and the entire Comets family thanks all of them. We look forward to continuing the practice sessions and defeating the Force in our next game."

The win moves the Comets at 4-3 for the 2011 season. Following a bye week the Comets play away at the Pittsburgh Force on June 18. In the first 2011 meeting the Comets defeated the Force.

• The game was covered by students from the Ohio Center for Broadcasting, Columbus. The game can be heard on scoreonair.com.
• Head Coach Hank Patterson Comets regular season coaching record is 59-21.
• The Comets are 4-3 for the 2011 season.
• Prior to the game several players were honored for contributions with the Comets. This was the announced final home game for players Chelsey Boyd, 55, (Defensive Line, Special Teams); Ebony Cullins, 40, (Defensive Line); Crystal Davis, 11 (Quarterback and a member of both the inaugural Comets and its predecessor team the Columbus Flames); Denise Martin, 32, (Running Back); Tiffany Sollberger, 8, (Defensive Back, Special Teams); and Stephanie Stevens, 37 (Running Back).

Comets to Honor Players in Final Home Game

Columbus, OH -- The Columbus Comets will host the final home game for the 2011 season on Saturday, June 4 against the Erie Illusion. The kick-off time will be at 7:00 p.m.

In a pre-game ceremony Head Coach Hank Patterson will acknowledge those players who will be playing their final home game. ""œEach of these players is special to the team, especially some of the long-time veteran's who have helped to shape and build the Comets,"Patterson said. "We have had great success due to the efforts of many players and certainly each of the women we honor Saturday has had a place in our success. We wish them well as they close this chapter of their athletic career. We hope we can close out the final two games of their Comet life with victories," Patterson continued.

The Comets enter this game with a 3-3 record.

DEFENSIVE FOOTBALL BATTLE WITH THE PASSION

Columbus, OH -- At home for the first game following three road games the Comets took on the visiting Pittsburgh Passion. A defensive struggle ensued throughout the whole game. Great defensive effort kept the Passion to only one score. Quarterback Crystal Davis brought the team back to score in the fourth quarter. The two point conversion failed and the Comets trailed 7-6.

Strong defensive effort continued in the remaining time of the fourth quarter but the Comets lost the game to the Passion with the final score 7-6.

The loss leaves the Comets at 3-3 for the 2011 season. Following a bye week the Comets play at home on June 4 against the Erie Illusion. In the first 2011 meeting the Comets defeated the Illusion. The regular season closes out with a road game against the Pittsburgh Force.

The next home game will be Saturday, June at Huffaker Sports Complex against the Erie Illusion.

- Head Coach Hank Patterson Comets regular season coaching record is 58-21.
- The Comets are 3-3 for the 2011 season.