(Omaha, Nebraska – Tuesday, March 17)
Since their inception, the Omaha Heart have improved noticeably with each new season. In 2013, the team scored fewer touchdowns than games played. However, their only win of the season was one of the most impressive defensive displays the LFL has seen. Allowing the then top scoring offense in the league to score 0 points put the Heart on the map.
Offensive inconsistencies plagued the team in 2014, while their potent defense helped the team to a 2-2 season. While part of the ineffective offense was due to injury, Head Coach Dontae Allen has admitted that it was also because athletes playing positions that weren’t naturally their best fit. That is not the case with the team in 2015.
Coach Allen has labeled 2015 a “fresh start” for the heart and has already made a number of changes to ensure the offensive demons from seasons past do not continue to haunt the Heart. With a team consisting primarily of rookies, Allen feels that he has begun putting the right players in the right positions. “Last season and the one before we had to do things like take a more natural receiver and retrain her to be a quarterback or linebacker. This season is a fresh start for us with a lot of new strong women and great athletes. Everybody on the team now is training in their most natural position so we will have a more consistent offense this season.”
Allen insists that the teams approach to the game will not change and expects that the transition to 2015 will be seamless for the heavily rookie based team.
The new quarterback for the team is expected to be Ashley Amick and her teammates already speak very highly of her as a team leader. While new to Omaha, she is no stranger to the LFL having been a part of the Tampa Bay Breeze.
Many of the other Heart rookies have played football and are now focusing on building strong team chemistry. “The team is really starting to gel well,” said Allen, “We need to get the offense to bring it this season and then we will be able to do great things.”
The teams dedication to athleticism also appears to be higher. Whether they are coming from another sport or a Crossfit gym, this years Heart will not let their fitness fall. In both of the teams first seasons there was a fair bit of criticism for not maintaining their fitness as the season progressed. “That wont be the case this year, these girls are all about making sure they are in the best shape possible. That is the only way that we will be able to compete with the Bliss and Steam”
The Eastern conference is surely going to be a source of entertainment this season. “We will be a much stronger team this season. Chicago hasn’t played against a defense like ours and we will always play with passion against the Steam.”
With both teams from Legends Cup 2014 in the Eastern Conference, the schedule for the Heart looks daunting. While 2015 may appear to be a David vs Goliath season for the Heart, the team isn’t scared or nervous. The Heart are ready to face their most difficult schedule and can’t wait to take on the Steam at home for the first time in April.
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