The Richmond Black Widows are a women's American football team playing out of Richmond, Virginia. They are a member of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). They are the first women's football team in Richmond, and currently the only team in Virginia. They played their inaugural season in April 2016.
For the 2022 season, Richmond Black Widows' games are held at Hermitage High School.
Staff the coaching staff include: Head coach - Steve Baxter Offensive Coordinator - Willie Burns Defensive Coordinator - Tyrone King Assistant coach - Tamika Howard QB/DB/Assistant Coach - Tamaris Reynolds DB/WR Coach - Kris Holland
History
Women's Football in Richmond The Richmond Black Widows was founded in 2015 by Sarah Schkeeper with the express goal of, not only promoting women's football in the area, but providing young girls and women the opportunity to play a sport they have been denied and growing the confidence of young girls by showing them what can be achieved with drive and determination. At least once, prior to Sarah Schkeeper founding the Richmond Black Widows, a women's football team was attempted in Richmond. It fizzled before it ever started a season. Having played for 5 years for the New York Sharks and competing in 2013 on the US Women's National Team that participated in the IFAF Women's World Championship, Schkeeper moved to Richmond, Virginia and started the journey of bringing women's football to Richmond, Virginia.
As there was no foundation for football in the area, Sarah Schkeeper had to use alternative means to spread the word, creating a MeetUp group. Currently the team has a strong roster of over 40 women and a knowledgeable coaching staff.
Season-by-season
| colspan="6" align="center" | Richmond Black Widows (WFA) |- |2016 || 5 || 3 || 0 || T–2nd Colonial Division ||Tier III National Conference Champions |- |2017 || 4 || 3 || 0 || 3rd DIII Northeast Region || |- |2018 || 5 || 2 || 0 || 3rd DIII Northeast Region ||DIII Semifinals |- |2019 || 4 || 3 || 0 || 4th DIII Northeast Region || |- |2021 || 1 || 5 || 0 || 4th DIII Northeast Region || |- |2022 || 3 || 3 || 0 || -- || |- |2023 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 11th DIII National Conference || |- |2024 || 2 || 4 || 0 || 6th DIII Southeast Region || |- |2025 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 1st DIII National Conference ||
!Totals || 35 || 29 || 0 |colspan="2"| (including playoffs)
* = current standing
Roster
Richmond Black Widows Roster Quarterbacks Mary Allison
Running backs Marisha Berry Shawnisa Estep Jazmine Beard Chanera Thomas JaMesha Worthington (FB)
Receivers Takayla Tk Graham Tay Willis Tiara Stovall Tracy Wright Tatiana Johnson Keona Moore Offensive line Charvae Woodson Manuela Curtis Myake Bogle Donna Pegram Aleshia Jackson Shaquilla Holland
Defensive line Cynthia Williams Alexis Lawrence Destiny Crenshaw Angela Denice Hoskins Cherika Barcliff
Linebackers Jenna DeSantis DZhiya DJ Thompson Chiquita Nathaniel Melanie Rouse Markashia Washington Sha Maclin Alix Barnette LaDonna Roane LaToya Parrish Defensive backs Jada Holland
Special teams
Multiple/Unknown positions Currently vacant Injured reserve
Season schedules
2016 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 2Tri Cities ThunderAwayWon 48-12April 9Fayetteville FierceAwayWon 28-0April 16Philadelphia PhantomzHomeLost 6-42April 23DC DivasHomeLost 6-48April 30Fayatteville FierceHomeWon 32-8May 7Philadelphia PhantomzAwayLost 0-48May 14BYEMay 21Keystone AssaultAwayWon 12-0May 28BYEJune 4Tri Cities ThunderHomeForfeit 2-0June 25 PlayoffKeystone AssaultHomeWin 14-8July 22 ChampionshipAcadiana ZydecoHomeLost 18-20
2017 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 1New York SharksHomeLost 0–18April 8Connecticut HawksAwayWon 32–12April 15Hampton Roads Lady GatorsHomeWon 14–6April 22Carolina PhoenixAwayLost 0–40April 29Keystone AssaultHomeWon 40–0May 6BYEMay 13BYEMay 20Baltimore NighthawksAwayLost 30–62May 28BYEJune 3Hampton Roads Lady GatorsAwayWon 28–14
2018 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 7Maine MayhemAwayWon 24–0April 14South Carolina SmashAwayWon 28–0April 21BYEApril 28Keystone AssaultAwayWon 50–0May 5BYEMay 12DC DivasHomeLost 12–61May 19BYEMay 26South Carolina SmashHomeWon 62–40June 2Philly PhantomzAwayLost 6–30June 9Connecticut HawksAwayWon 33–6June 16 PlayoffColumbus VanguardsHomeWon 34–0June 30 PlayoffToledo ReignAwayWon 12–6July 14 PlayoffOrlando AnarchyAwayLost 14–27
2019 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 6Baltimore NighthawksAwayLost 22–61April 13BYEApril 20Philly PhantomzAwayLost 0–33April 27New York KnockoutHomeWon 18–14May 4South Carolina SmashHomeWon 52–34May 11BYEMay 18Connecticut HawksAwayWon 22–18May 25BYEJune 1DC DivasHomeLost 8–70June 8Rock Hill Lady RaidersAwayForfeit 2–0
2021 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultMay 1Baltimore NighthawksAwayLost 0–45May 8Carolina PhoenixAwayLost 6–13May 15BYEMay 22New York KnockoutAwayLost 14–34May 29Carolina PhoenixHomeWon 8–0June 5Baltimore NighthawksHomeLost 16–25June 12New York KnockoutHomeLost 14–20
2022 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 9Carolina PhoenixAwayLost 33–59April 16Virginia Lady FirehawksAwayLost 7–42April 23East Tennessee ValkyrieHomeLost 18–42April 30South Carolina DamesHomeWon 19–0May 7BYEMay 14Harrisburg HavocHomeWon 39–16May 21South Carolina DamesAwayForfeit 2–0
2023 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 22Virginia PanthersAwayLost 0–50April 29Carolina PhoenixAwayLost 12–34May 6BYEMay 13South Carolina DamesHomeWon 18–0May 20Harrisburg HavocHomeLost 19–20June 3Virginia PanthersHomeLost 0–52June 10North Conn NightmareAwayWon 24–16
2024 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 27East Tennessee ValkyrieHomeLost 14–24May 4Raleigh ExpressAwayLost 0–21May 11BYEMay 18Virginia PanthersAwayLost 0–6May 25BYEJune 1East Tennessee ValkyrieAwayLost 8–38June 8Carolina PhoenixHomeWon 53–0June 15Music City MizfitsHomeWon 26–6
2025 DateOpponentHome/AwayResultApril 26Harrisburg HavocAwayWon 49–0May 3BYEMay 10Music City MizfitsHomeWon 27–6May 17Carolina PhoenixHomeWon 40–0May 24BYEMay 31Virginia PanthersAwayWon 21–0June 7Raleigh ExpressHomeForfeit 2–0June 14Music City MizfitsAwayWon 13–6June 28 PlayoffUpstate Lady PredatorsHomeWon 27–0July 12 PlayoffConnecticut AmbushHomeWon 45-14July 25 ChampionshipOklahoma RageHomeWon 25-7
References
External links