In Focus: Women of the gridiron

In the NFL, you see incredible athletes. In the WFA — Women’s Football Alliance — you see dedicated mothers, women with day jobs, AND incredible athletes.

Last Saturday, the D.C. Divas and the Dallas Elite came together at West Allegheny High School in North Fayette to compete for the nation’s highest honor in women’s tackle football.

This matchup was not only two teams of tough and driven women fighting for a title, but it also was a passionate rematch from the national championship the year before. The D.C. Divas won in 2015 but lost to the Dallas Elite in the 2016 regular season, making the game last Saturday an intense battle for the win.

The Dallas Elite started with an early lead, but the D.C. Divas managed to make a comeback in the second half to win, 28-26, for the second year in a row.

The Pittsburgh Passion is a WFA team.

— Haley Nelson

Stephanie Nealis (89) of the D.C. Divas, helps a teammate practice snapping the ball on the sideline during the WBowl National Championship against the Dallas Elite at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Stephanie Nealis (89) of the D.C. Divas, helps a teammate practice snapping the ball on the sideline during the WBowl National Championship against the Dallas Elite at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Kentrina Wilson (85) of the D.C. Divas celebrates with Kendra Bates (21) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Elite during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Kentrina Wilson (85) of the D.C. Divas celebrates with Kendra Bates (21) after scoring a touchdown against the Dallas Elite during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Tiffany Hill (4) of the Dallas Elite leaps into the end zone, scoring a touchdown against the D.C. Divas at the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Tiffany Hill (4) of the Dallas Elite leaps into the end zone, scoring a touchdown against the D.C. Divas at the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Quiana Ford (2) celebrates after a D.C. Divas touchtown against the Dallas Elite during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Quiana Ford (2) celebrates after a D.C. Divas touchtown against the Dallas Elite during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Stephanie Nealis (89) kicks a field goal for an extra point against the Dallas Elite during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Stephanie Nealis (89) kicks a field goal for an extra point against the Dallas Elite during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Kentrina Wilson (85) of the D.C. Divas evades two defenders from the Dallas Elite to score a touchdown during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Kentrina Wilson (85) of the D.C. Divas evades two defenders from the Dallas Elite to score a touchdown during the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Brittany Rock (52) and her teammates celebrate after a D.C. Divas interception in the final minute of the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)
Brittany Rock (52) and her teammates celebrate after a D.C. Divas interception in the final minute of the WBowl National Championship at West Allegheny High School in Imperial on July 23, 2016. The D.C. Divas won for the second year in a row 28-26. (Haley Nelson/Post-Gazette)