Atlanta Xplosion
Encyclopedia
The Atlanta Ravens, formerly known as the Atlanta Xplosion, is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League
. Based in Atlanta, Georgia
, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell
at Centennial High School
.
. The Beniamino family was involved in all aspects of the team; in addition to the breadwinner Phil owning the team, his wife Denise played for the Xplosion (she played her husband's typical position of linebacker and wore his #33 uniform number). Even their daughter Kylie had her own unique role, as she was the one who first thought up the Xplosion name.
Coached by Phil, Marcus Dawson, Craig Couchoud and John Singleton and playing on the campus of Clark Atlanta University
, the Xplosion had a successful exhibition season, finishing with a 9-1 record.
in the Eastern Conference Finals.
in nearby Smyrna
, the Xplosion moved on without past coaches Marcus Dawson and John Singleton, hiring Charlene Vance, Craig Couchoud, and offensive line (who would later be head) coach Mario D'Ella. On the field, the Xplosion did even better than they had done in '04, finishing the regular season at a perfect 9-0, winning their first division title (Eastern Conference, South Central), and clinching a first-round playoff home game. Their playoff run also saw success, winning the Eastern Conference Semifinal over the Jacksonville Dixie Blues
by a score of 26-12 and later dethroning the reigning IWFL Champion New York Sharks 3-0 for the Eastern Conference Championship and the right to advance to the IWFL Championship Game in Manchester, New Hampshire
(hosted by the Manchester Freedom). Unfortunately, the title game was not as successful, as the Xplosion lost to the Sacramento Sirens
, 9-6.
, 35-14), but they also made history in the following IWFL Championship in Long Beach, California
(hosted by the Long Beach Aftershock
). Their opponent, the Detroit Demolition
, had won 42 consecutive games dating back to their inaugural season of 2002, and had won four straight NWFA championships before joining the IWFL. Needless to say, the Xplosion put that streak to a quick end, defeating the Demolition 21-14 and becoming 2006 IWFL World Champions.
) and Championship (for the third straight year, defeating the New York Sharks
) to advance to the IWFL Championship Game which this time they were hosting against their opponent from the year before, the Detroit Demolition
. Though it was the highest-attended title game in IWFL history, the Xplosion were not as successful this time around, losing 17-7 to the Demolition (who avenged their defeat in the previous year's game).
.
|2003 || 9 || 1 || 0 || N/A (X-Team) || N/A (X-Team)
|-
|2004 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd EC South Atlantic || Lost EC Divisional Playoffs (Tampa Bay)
|-
|2005 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC South Central || Won EC Semifinal (Jacksonville
)
Won EC Championship (New York
)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento
)
|-
|2006 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 1st EC South Atlantic || Won EC Semifinal (Bay State
)
Won EC Championship (New York
)
Won IWFL Championship (Detroit
)
|-
|2007 || 10 || 1 || 0 || 1st EC South Atlantic || Won EC Semifinal (D.C.
)
Won EC Championship (New York
)
Lost IWFL Championship (Detroit
)
|-
|2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd EC South Atlantic || --
|-
|2009 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd EC South Atlantic || --
|-
|2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd EC Southeast || TBD Southeast Championship (D.C.
)
|-
|2011 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 1st East Mid-Atlantic || Won Mid-South Title (Houston Energy)||Won EC Championship (Carolina Phoenix
)||Won World Championship (California Quake
)
|-
!Totals || 61 || 10 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
* = Current Standing
** =Won by forfeit
Independent Women's Football League
The Independent Women's Football League was founded in 2000, and began play in 2001.IWFL founders began with the goal to establish a quality women's football league that would be respected as the top level of women's tackle football in the world....
. Based in Atlanta, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, the Ravens play their home games in nearby Roswell
Roswell, Georgia
Roswell is a city located in northern Fulton County; it is a suburb of northern Atlanta, Georgia, United States. The 2010 Census population was 88,346. It is the eighth largest city in Georgia...
at Centennial High School
Centennial High School (Roswell, Georgia)
Centennial High School is a public high school located in Roswell, Georgia. Opened in 1997, it has an enrollment of around 1,900 students. The school's mascot is the Knight. Centennial High School is a part of the Fulton County Schools system...
.
2003
The Divas were formed in 2003 as an IWFL exhibition team ("X-Team") from the players and staff of the defunct Atlanta Leopards team which played the NWFANational Women's Football Association
The National Women's Football Association was a full-contact American football league for women headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. The league was founded by Catherine Masters in 2000, as the two benchmark teams, the Alabama Renegades and the Nashville Dream played each other six times in...
. The Beniamino family was involved in all aspects of the team; in addition to the breadwinner Phil owning the team, his wife Denise played for the Xplosion (she played her husband's typical position of linebacker and wore his #33 uniform number). Even their daughter Kylie had her own unique role, as she was the one who first thought up the Xplosion name.
Coached by Phil, Marcus Dawson, Craig Couchoud and John Singleton and playing on the campus of Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University
Clark Atlanta University is a private, historically black university in Atlanta, Georgia. It was formed in 1988 with the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University...
, the Xplosion had a successful exhibition season, finishing with a 9-1 record.
2004
2004 was the Xplosion's first year as a fully licensed IWFL team. Adding Zeric Foster and Adrian "ACE" Carney to the coaching staff, the Xplosion finished 5-3, good for second place in the South Atlantic Division and a playoff spot. Their playoff run would end soon after it began with a 21-8 divisional playoff loss to their South Atlantic divisional rivals the Tampa Bay Terminators, who had beaten the Xplosion twice in the regular season but would go on to lose to the eventual IWFL Champion New York SharksNew York Sharks
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance...
in the Eastern Conference Finals.
2005
2005 was a year of many changes for the Xplosion. In addition to moving to Campbell High SchoolCampbell High School (Smyrna, Georgia)
Campbell High School is one of sixteen public high schools in the Cobb County School District. Located on its rectangular campus in Smyrna, a suburb of Atlanta, United States, there are currently over 2200 pupils and nearly 250 staff members....
in nearby Smyrna
Smyrna, Georgia
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,999 people, 18,372 households, and 9,498 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,949.9 people per square mile . There were 19,633 housing units at an average density of 1,412.6 per square mile...
, the Xplosion moved on without past coaches Marcus Dawson and John Singleton, hiring Charlene Vance, Craig Couchoud, and offensive line (who would later be head) coach Mario D'Ella. On the field, the Xplosion did even better than they had done in '04, finishing the regular season at a perfect 9-0, winning their first division title (Eastern Conference, South Central), and clinching a first-round playoff home game. Their playoff run also saw success, winning the Eastern Conference Semifinal over the Jacksonville Dixie Blues
Jacksonville Dixie Blues
The Jacksonville Dixie Blues are a women's American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2001, they are currently members of the Women's Football Alliance , playing their home games on the campus of University Christian School....
by a score of 26-12 and later dethroning the reigning IWFL Champion New York Sharks 3-0 for the Eastern Conference Championship and the right to advance to the IWFL Championship Game in Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester, New Hampshire
Manchester is the largest city in the U.S. state of New Hampshire, the tenth largest city in New England, and the largest city in northern New England, an area comprising the states of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. It is in Hillsborough County along the banks of the Merrimack River, which...
(hosted by the Manchester Freedom). Unfortunately, the title game was not as successful, as the Xplosion lost to the Sacramento Sirens
Sacramento Sirens
The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:...
, 9-6.
2006
In 2006, Phil Beniamino sold the Xplosion to current owner Tameka Corbitt, who herself had played running back and fullback for the team for three years. Beniamino and his staff would remain as coaches, leading the Xplosion to a season even better than the one before it. Not only did they finish the regular season 7-1, win another division title (South Atlantic), and win the Eastern Conference Semifinals (over the Bay State Warriors, 41-0) and Finals (over the New York SharksNew York Sharks
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance...
, 35-14), but they also made history in the following IWFL Championship in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
(hosted by the Long Beach Aftershock
Long Beach Aftershock
The Long Beach Aftershock is a women’s professional football team.The Aftershock was founded in May 2002, by many players who won the first Women’s World Bowl as part of the California Quake, of the now disbanded Women's American Football League ....
). Their opponent, the Detroit Demolition
Detroit Demolition
The Detroit Demolition is a women's semi-professional American football team of the Women's Spring Football League based in the Detroit, Michigan area. During their most recent season, home games were played at Franklin High School in Livonia. They joined the National Women's Football Association...
, had won 42 consecutive games dating back to their inaugural season of 2002, and had won four straight NWFA championships before joining the IWFL. Needless to say, the Xplosion put that streak to a quick end, defeating the Demolition 21-14 and becoming 2006 IWFL World Champions.
2007
2007, like the seasons before it, was a year of change. Moving into Roswell High School, the Xplosion promoted offensive line coach Mario D'Ella to Head Coach, leading to a revamping of the coaching staff; gone were Beniamino, Vance, and Couchoud, leaving only Zeric Foster from the previous coaching staff and adding Charmaine Chin, Ronald Rankin, Jody Kerse and Marco McInness. Otherwise, not much had changed from prior seasons; again finishing 8-0, winning the South Atlantic Division title, and breezing through the Eastern Conference Semifinals (defeating the D.C. DivasD.C. Divas
The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's...
) and Championship (for the third straight year, defeating the New York Sharks
New York Sharks
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance...
) to advance to the IWFL Championship Game which this time they were hosting against their opponent from the year before, the Detroit Demolition
Detroit Demolition
The Detroit Demolition is a women's semi-professional American football team of the Women's Spring Football League based in the Detroit, Michigan area. During their most recent season, home games were played at Franklin High School in Livonia. They joined the National Women's Football Association...
. Though it was the highest-attended title game in IWFL history, the Xplosion were not as successful this time around, losing 17-7 to the Demolition (who avenged their defeat in the previous year's game).
2008
2008 was a disappointing year by Xplosion standards; despite finishing with a solid 6-2 record, for the first time since 2005, the Xplosion failed to win the conference title, for the first time since 2004, failed to win the division title, and for the first time since becoming a fully licensed team, failed to make the playoffs.2009
For 2009, the Xplosion moved to their new home of James R. Hallford Stadium in Decatur and their new head coach Maurice Tyler. Once again, despite a strong 7-1 record, the Xplosion failed to make the playoffs once again because of a lower Team Rating than the wild-card winners Pittsburgh PassionPittsburgh Passion
The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The franchise began play in 2003 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn and Franco Harris. It is a licensed team in the Women's Football Alliance....
.
2010
Once again, the Xplosion finished at 7-1, which was the best record in the division. However, because of the IWFL's Team Ratings system, the 5-3 D.C. Divas won the Southeast Division title. The two teams will play in the first round of the playoffs on June 12.2011
In March 2011, the team announced that the name of the team was changed from the Atlanta Xplosion to the Atlanta Ravens.Season-by-season
|-|2003 || 9 || 1 || 0 || N/A (X-Team) || N/A (X-Team)
|-
|2004 || 5 || 3 || 0 || 2nd EC South Atlantic || Lost EC Divisional Playoffs (Tampa Bay)
|-
|2005 || 9 || 0 || 0 || 1st EC South Central || Won EC Semifinal (Jacksonville
Jacksonville Dixie Blues
The Jacksonville Dixie Blues are a women's American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida. Founded in 2001, they are currently members of the Women's Football Alliance , playing their home games on the campus of University Christian School....
)
Won EC Championship (New York
New York Sharks
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance...
)
Lost IWFL Championship (Sacramento
Sacramento Sirens
The Sacramento Sirens are a women's semi-professional American football team, located in Sacramento, California. The team has compiled one of the most successful records in women’s full tackle football.-History:...
)
|-
|2006 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 1st EC South Atlantic || Won EC Semifinal (Bay State
Boston Militia
The Boston Militia are a women's full contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance, of which they are the current defending champions...
)
Won EC Championship (New York
New York Sharks
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance...
)
Won IWFL Championship (Detroit
Detroit Demolition
The Detroit Demolition is a women's semi-professional American football team of the Women's Spring Football League based in the Detroit, Michigan area. During their most recent season, home games were played at Franklin High School in Livonia. They joined the National Women's Football Association...
)
|-
|2007 || 10 || 1 || 0 || 1st EC South Atlantic || Won EC Semifinal (D.C.
D.C. Divas
The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's...
)
Won EC Championship (New York
New York Sharks
The New York Sharks are a women's American football team playing out of New York City. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance...
)
Lost IWFL Championship (Detroit
Detroit Demolition
The Detroit Demolition is a women's semi-professional American football team of the Women's Spring Football League based in the Detroit, Michigan area. During their most recent season, home games were played at Franklin High School in Livonia. They joined the National Women's Football Association...
)
|-
|2008 || 6 || 2 || 0 || 2nd EC South Atlantic || --
|-
|2009 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd EC South Atlantic || --
|-
|2010 || 7 || 1 || 0 || 2nd EC Southeast || TBD Southeast Championship (D.C.
D.C. Divas
The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's...
)
|-
|2011 || 11 || 0 || 0 || 1st East Mid-Atlantic || Won Mid-South Title (Houston Energy)||Won EC Championship (Carolina Phoenix
Carolina Phoenix
The Carolina Phoenix is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League based in the Triad and the Triangle of North Carolina. Home games are played at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro....
)||Won World Championship (California Quake
California Quake
The California Quake is a women's semi-professional tackle football team based in Los Angeles County, California. The Quake currently play in the Western Conference, Tier 1 Pacific Southwest Division of the Independent Women's Football League. Home games are played at Downey High School's Allen...
)
|-
!Totals || 61 || 10 || 0
|colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
2009
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 11 | Clarksville Fox Clarksville Fox The Clarksville Fox is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Clarksville, Tennessee, the Fox play their home games on the campus of Northwest High School.-2007:... |
Home | Won 43-0 |
| April 18 | Houston Energy | Away | Won 38-7 |
| April 25 | Chattanooga Locomotion Chattanooga Locomotion The Chattanooga Locomotion is a team in the Independent Women's Football League based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Home games are played on the campus of Red Bank High School.... |
Home | Won 28-6 |
| May 2 | Dallas Diamonds Dallas Diamonds The Dallas Diamonds are a women's professional American football team in the Women's Football Alliance . It is made up of 46 players and has a coaching staff of 10... |
Home | Lost 7-32 |
| May 16 | Palm Beach Punishers Palm Beach Punishers The Palm Beach Punishers are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance based in Palm Beach County, Florida. Home games are played on the campus of Palm Beach Central High School in nearby Wellington... |
Home | Won 77-7 |
| May 23 | Miami Fury Miami Fury The Miami Fury is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Miami, Florida, the Fury plays its home games at North Miami Athletic Stadium.-2000:... |
Away | Won 16-12 |
| June 6 | Tennessee Valley Tigers Tennessee Valley Tigers The Tennessee Valley Tigers is a women's American football team located in Huntsville, Alabama. The Tigers joined the Women's Spring Football League in 2011 and will play their first WSFL season in the spring of 2012. This will be the Tigers' fourth season overall, after three seasons in the... |
Away | Won 63-0 |
| June 13 | Orlando Mayhem Orlando Mayhem The Orlando Mayhem is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League based in Orlando, Florida. Home games are played on the campus of East Ridge High School in nearby Clermont.... |
Away | Won 19-14 |
2010
| Date | Opponent | Home Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... /Away Home team In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans... |
Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 3 | Chattanooga Locomotion Chattanooga Locomotion The Chattanooga Locomotion is a team in the Independent Women's Football League based in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Home games are played on the campus of Red Bank High School.... |
Away | Won 65-0 |
| April 10 | Carolina Queens Carolina Queens The Carolina Queens are a women's American football team based out of Charlotte, North Carolina playing in the Independent Women's Football League... |
Away | Won 54-7 |
| April 24 | Miami Fury Miami Fury The Miami Fury is a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in Miami, Florida, the Fury plays its home games at North Miami Athletic Stadium.-2000:... |
Home | Won 39-0 |
| May 1 | Houston Energy | Home | Won 21-20 |
| May 8 | Dallas Diamonds Dallas Diamonds The Dallas Diamonds are a women's professional American football team in the Women's Football Alliance . It is made up of 46 players and has a coaching staff of 10... |
Away | Lost 3-23 |
| May 15 | Carolina Queens | Home | Won 56-0 |
| May 22 | Miami Fury | Away | Won 1-0** |
| May 29 | Clarksville Fox Clarksville Fox The Clarksville Fox is a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Clarksville, Tennessee, the Fox play their home games on the campus of Northwest High School.-2007:... |
Home | Won 56-0 |
| June 12 | D.C. Divas D.C. Divas The D.C. Divas are a football team in the Women's Football Alliance. Based in the Washington Metropolitan Area, the Divas play their home games in Landover at Prince George's Sports and Learning Complex.-2001:The Divas were formed in 2000 to be one of the charter franchises of the National Women's... (Southeast Division Championship) |
Away |