Montreal Blitz
Montreal Blitz | |
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Founded | 2003 |
League | Independent Women's Football League |
Team history | 2003-present |
Based in | Lachine, Quebec |
Stadium | Dalbé-Viau High School |
Colours | Red, black, white |
President | Saadia Ashraf |
Head coach | Pierre Migner |
Championships | 4 (2008 & 2010 Tier II; 2012 Tier I; 2013 Founder's Bowl) |
Division titles | 2 (2004, 2008) |
The Montreal Blitz is a team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Montreal, Quebec, the Blitz play their home games at Dalbé-Viau High School in the borough of Lachine. The Blitz are the first and only team from Canada to play in a women's American football league.
History
2003
The Blitz finished their inaugural season with a record of 4-3, good for second place in the North Atlantic Division behind the undefeated Bay State Warriors.
2004
In their sophomore season, the Blitz finished 6-2, this time with a first-place finish in the North Atlantic Division. However, for unknown reasons, the Blitz did not participate in the playoffs that year.
2005
For the 2005 season, the Blitz were an exhibition team ("X-Team"), losing all four of their exhibition games.
2006
In 2006, the Blitz finished 3-5 and last place in the North Atlantic Division.
2007
2007 saw the Blitz finish 6-2 (their best finish since 2004) and tie for first place in the North Atlantic Division with the Manchester Freedom. However, since the Freedom won the season series against the Blitz two games to one (the Blitz' only losses of the season), they got the North Atlantic crown and the playoff berth over Montreal.
2008
2008 was a year full of changes for the Blitz. Since the IWFL divided itself into two tiers, the Blitz found themselves in the Tier II North Atlantic Division, facing competition such as the Manchester Freedom, New England Intensity, Holyoke Hurricanes, and Southern Maine Rebels.
It was then that the Blitz finished with their best regular-season record in team history at 7-1, granting them the North Atlantic Division title and their first-ever playoff berth. After a 41-27 win over the Carolina Phoenix in the Divisional Playoffs, the Blitz traveled to the IWFL Championships in Chicago, Illinois (hosted by the Tier I Chicago Force), where they would face off against the Clarksville Fox for the Tier II Championship. Defeating the Fox by a score of 26-6, the Blitz won the Tier II Championship, the first Canadian team playing in an American football league of any kind to do so.
2009
In their second season in Tier II, the Blitz remained a force to be reckoned with, finishing 5-3 and once again making the Tier II playoffs. Such dominance was exemplified in the first-round playoff game with a 68-0 win over the Manchester Freedom. Though the next round would be not nearly as simple, it was enough to advance to the title game once again as the Blitz eked out a 9-8 win over the Jersey Justice. Om July 25, the Blitz lost the IWFL Tier II North American Championship game, 42-14, against the Wisconsin Warriors at Round Rock ISD Athletic Stadium in Round Rock, Texas (a suburb of Austin).
2010
The 2010 season saw the arrival of a new coaching staff. Under head coach Nick Kalaidopoulos, the Montreal Blitz completed the regular season with 8 wins and 0 losses. The team scored an average of 40 points per game, while allowing an average of 5 points per game. The first playoff game saw the Blitz defeat the New England Intensity 53-14. The semi final was held on July 10, and the Blitz beat the North Carolina Phoenix by a score of 19-14. The Blitz won the IWFL Tier II 2010 Championship for the second time in its history by defeating the Bay Area Bandits with a score of 9-2.
Coaching staff in 2010:
- Head Coach and offensive line coach: Nick Kalaidopoulos
- Offensive Coordinator: Joe Culzac
- Defensive Coordinator and defensive line coach: Pierre Migner
- Receivers coach and special teams coach: Jordan Coons
- Linebacker coach: Charles André Migner
- Defensive backs coach: Ulises Olvera
2011
The 2011 season brought new changes to the team. Under new head coach Pierre Migner, The Montreal Blitz had another perfect regular season, with 8 wins and 0 losses. After winning the quarter final game, the Blitz saw its season end with a loss to the Carolina Phoenix.
Coaching staff in 2011:
- Head Coach and defensive coordinator: Pierre Migner
- Offensive Coordinator: Jordan Coons
- Defensive line coach: Pierre Migner
- Receivers coach and special teams coach: Jordan Coons
- Linebacker coach: Charles André Migner
- Defensive backs coach: Ulises Olvera
2012
The objective for 2012 was clear: GO ALL THE WAY to the championship. The Montreal Blitz won the IWFL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP by defeating the Sacramento Siren 28-27, in a very exciting game. After taking a lead of 28-14, the Blitz saw the Sirens score two touchdowns in the 4th quarter. A blocked PAT on the last Sacramento touchdown insured the BLITZ victory.
Coaching staff in 2012:
- Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator: Pierre Migner
- Offensive Coordinator: Jordan Coons
- Defensive line coach: Jacques Gagné
- Receivers coach: Mike Alfonso
- Linebacker coach: Gerry Viau & Charles André Migner
- Defensive backs coach: Mathieu Guérard
- Special teams coach: Jordan Coons & Ameet Pall
Season-by-season
Season | W | L | T | Finish | Playoff results |
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2003 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 2nd EC North Atlantic | -- |
2004 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1st NC North Atlantic | -- |
2005 | 0 | 4 | 0 | X-Team | -- |
2006 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 3rd EC North Atlantic | -- |
2007 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2nd EC North Atlantic | -- |
2008 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1st Tier II North Atlantic | Won Tier II Semifinal (Carolina) Won IWFL Tier II Championship (Clarksville) |
2009 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2nd Tier II | Won Tier II Quarterfinal (Manchester) Won Tier II Semifinal (Jersey) Lost Tier II Championship (Wisconsin) |
2010 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 2nd Tier II EC Northeast | Won Tier II Quarterfinal (New England Intensity) Won Tier II Semifinal (North Carolina Phoenix) Won IWFL Tier II Championship (Bay Area Bandits) |
2011 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1st East North Atlantic | Lost Eastern Conference Quarterfinal (Carolina) |
2012 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1st East North Atlantic | Won Tier I Quarterfinal (Baltimore Nighthawks) Won Tier I Semifinal (Houston Energy) Won IWFL Tier I Championship (Sacramento Sirens) |
Totals | 66 | 23 | 0 | (including playoffs) |
* = Current Standing
Season schedules
2009
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
---|---|---|---|
April 18 | Southern Maine Rebels | Away | Won 55-6 |
April 25 | New York Nemesis | Home | Lost 6-14 |
May 2 | Holyoke Hurricanes | Away | Won 48-0 |
May 9 | Boston Militia | Home | Lost 0-39 |
May 17 | Holyoke Hurricanes | Home | Won 2-0 |
May 23 | Erie Illusion | Home | Won 41-10 |
May 30 | New York Nemesis | Away | Lost 12-13 |
June 13 | Holyoke Hurricanes | Away | Won 2-0** |
June 27 | Manchester Freedom (Tier II Quarterfinal) | Home | Won 68-0 |
July 11 | Jersey Justice (Tier II Semifinal) | Home | Won 9-8 |
July 25 | Wisconsin Warriors (Tier II Championship) | Neutral (Round Rock) | Lost 14-42 |
** = Won by forfeit
2010
Date | Opponent | Home/Away | Result |
---|---|---|---|
April 3 | Binghamton Tiger Cats | Away | Won 76-0 |
April 17 | Manchester Freedom | Home | Won 41-14 |
April 24 | Holyoke Hurricanes | Home | Won 1-0 (forfeit by the Hurricanes) |
May 1 | Southern Maine Rebels | Home | Won 41-6 |
May 8 | Connecticut Crushers | Away | Won 22-0 |
May 15 | New York Nemesis | Home | Won 20-0 |
May 22 | Southern Maine Rebels | Away | Won 34-0 |
June 5 | Connecticut Crushers | Home | Won 26-0 |
May 22 | Southern Maine Rebels | Away | Won 34-0 |
June 5 | Connecticut Crushers | Home | Won 26-0 |
July 24 | Bay Area Bandits (Tier II Championship) | Neutral (Round Rock) | Won 9-2 |
IFAF competitors
The following recognizes women from the Lady Gladiators that competed in the IFAF Women's World Football Championships
2010
- Saadia Ashraf
- Jacynthe Crochetiere
- Jennifer DeGuise
- Andreanne Dupont-Parent
- Alia Palmer[1]
2013
- Saadia Ashraf
- Annie Arpin
- Jennifer DeGuise
References
External links
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