Defense Keeps OKC Undefeated

Oklahoma City’s defense closed the door on the previously unbeaten H-Town (Houston) Cyclones at Taft Stadium on May 10. The Lightning advanced to 3-0 with the 21-13 victory.

After making key stops throughout the game, the OKC defense put the game away late in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Maeisha Pennon ran an interception back for a touchdown with less than two minutes to play, breaking a 13-13 tie. The two-point conversion sealed the deal for the home squad, which had trailed 0-7 at halftime.

Oklahoma City next hosts the Austin Outlaws on May 17 before taking another road trip.

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Lightning Storms Through KC

KANSAS CITY, MO -- The Oklahoma City Lightning scored its second consecutive shutout April 26, beating the Kansas City Storm, 67-0.

The lopsided contest included 6 touchdowns and 250 yards from veteran running back Iliana Calderon, as well as a touchdown by the defense and one on special teams. The Lightning found the endzone 10 times during the game, and held the Storm to 93 yards on the ground and 7 in the air.

The victory moves OKC to 2-0 for the 2008 season. The Lightning has outscored its first two opponents by a combined 90-0 score.

Oklahoma City is vying for first place with the H-Town (Houston) Texas Cyclones in the South-Central Division of the National Women's Football Association. The two undefeated teams are scheduled to face off at Taft Stadium on May 10.

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Lightning Downs Fury

The OKC Lightning opened its sixth season in the NWFA with a 23-0 win April 19 against the North Texas Fury at Taft Stadium.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Lightning defense garnered a turnover that the offense used to put its first touchdown on the board. The home squad carried the 6-0 lead into halftime after the 2-point conversion attempt failed.

The defense again saved the day in the third quarter with a safety to put the Lightning up 8-0 before the offense took charge.

Oklahoma City takes its 1-0 record on the road April 26 to face the Kansas City Storm.

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Lightning Strikes Saturday

The OKC Lightning will open its sixth season in the NWFA on Saturday, April 19, against the North Dallas Fury in venerable Taft Stadium in Oklahoma City at 7:05 pm.

The North Texas Fury will be out to prove its worth against the highly touted and formidable OKC Lightning. This year the Lightning boasts several veteran and new threats on both offense and defense.

To celebrate the 2008 kickoff, the team honored rookies and named captains at its annual jersey banquet. State Rep. Al McAffrey provided the keynote address before the Lightning newcomers received their numbers.

McAffrey compared the battles faced by Oklahoma’s only active women’s tackle football team to similar challenges he has faced in the State House of Representatives.

“You don’t just get respect; you have to earn it,” McAffrey said. “And this team continues to earn the respect of its fans and opponents by winning.”

The banquet ended with the rookies’ best Soulja Boy dance rendition, followed by some veterans showing their new teammates how it’s really done!

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Join Us for Dinner

The Oklahoma City Lightning will celebrate the arrival of football season with a meet-and-greet event on Monday, April 14. Supporters are invited to meet team members and grab a bite to eat at Freddy’s Frozen Custard, 9000 S. Western. The social event begins at 6 p.m.

Lightning General Manager Jan Demery said Freddy’s has agreed to donate a portion of the proceeds from the event to the team.

“Every customer who mentions that he or she is with the Lightning will be supporting us,” Demery said.

The team also will be distributing free tickets for its April 19 season-opener.

“This is a great way to socialize and promote the team in a fun setting,” Demery said. “We appreciate the Freddy’s management for being Lightning supporters and are excited to do more events like this throughout Oklahoma City.”

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NWFA Builds 2008 Schedule

Lightning Joins South-Central Division

The Oklahoma City Lightning will face some new opponents in 2008, according to the schedule released by the National Women’s Football League. The 10-week regular season begins April 19 and includes eight games.

The Lightning will compete in the Central Division of the Southern Conference, along with three teams from Texas.

“We are excited to renew old battles and also see some new competitors in 2008,” said OKC general manager Jan Demery. “This new division provides both.”

Changes to the eight divisions (in two conferences) were announced after the NWFA grew to 35 teams from more than 20 different states across the United States. OKC has been the champion of every division in which it has played each season since joining the league in 2003. The Lightning is Oklahoma’s only women’s full-contact football team currently competing.

OKC continues its rivalry with the Austin Outlaws, and also will face a revamped squad from Dallas as well as a new addition from Houston. The Kansas City Storm, members of another division, take on the Lightning, too.

OKC will face each of the four teams twice during the regular season — once at Taft Stadium and once on the road. The league is expected to announce its playoff schedule soon, including plans for the 2008 NWFA Championship game.