Richmond Black Widows

Richmond Black Widows
Founded2015
LeagueWFA (2016-present)
Team history2015-Present
Based inRichmond, Virginia
StadiumHermitage H.S.
ColorsBlack, Red, White
PresidentSarah Schkeeper
Head coachSteve Baxter
MascotBetty

The Richmond Black Widows are a women's American football team playing out of Richmond, Virginia.[1] 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

As of 2025 the coaching staff include:

  • Head coach - Steve Baxter
  • Offensive Coordinator - Willie Burns
  • Defensive Coordinator - Tyrone King
  • Defensive Line Coach - Marlene Davis
  • 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

Season records
Season W L T Finish Playoff results
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 (including playoffs)

* = current standing

Roster

Richmond Black Widows Roster
Quarterbacks
  • 7 Mary Allison

Running backs

  • 3 Marisha Berry
  • 5 Shawnisa Estep
  • 16 Jazmine Beard
  • 17 Chanera Thomas
  • 31 JaMesha Worthington (FB)

Receivers

  • 1 Takayla Tk Graham
  • 10 Tay Willis
  • 12 Tiara Stovall
  • 14 Tracy Wright
  • 23 Tatiana Johnson
  • 24 Keona Moore
Offensive line
  • 6 Charvae Woodson
  • 20 Manuela Curtis
  • 29 Myake Bogle
  • 58 Donna Pegram
  • 62 Aleshia Jackson
  • 77 Shaquilla Holland

Defensive line

  • 27 Cynthia Williams
  • 45 Alexis Lawrence
  • 50 Destiny Crenshaw
  • 76 Angela Denice Hoskins
  • 98 Cherika Barcliff

Linebackers

  • 2 Jenna DeSantis
  • 4 DZhiya DJ Thompson
  • 13 Chiquita Nathaniel
  • 21 Melanie Rouse
  • 32 Markashia Washington
  • 35 Sha Maclin
  • 88 Alix Barnette
  • 95 LaDonna Roane
  • 99 LaToya Parrish
Defensive backs
  • 22 Jada Holland

Special teams

Multiple/Unknown positions

  • Currently vacant
Injured reserve

Season schedules

2016

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 2 Tri Cities Thunder Away Won 48-12
April 9 Fayetteville Fierce Away Won 28-0
April 16 Philadelphia Phantomz Home Lost 6-42
April 23 DC Divas Home Lost 6-48
April 30 Fayatteville Fierce Home Won 32-8
May 7 Philadelphia Phantomz Away Lost 0-48
May 14 BYE
May 21 Keystone Assault Away Won 12-0
May 28 BYE
June 4 Tri Cities Thunder Home Forfeit 2-0
June 25 Playoff Keystone Assault Home Win 14-8
July 22 Championship Acadiana Zydeco Home Lost 18-20

2017

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 1 New York Sharks Home Lost 0–18
April 8 Connecticut Hawks Away Won 32–12
April 15 Hampton Roads Lady Gators Home Won 14–6
April 22 Carolina Phoenix Away Lost 0–40
April 29 Keystone Assault Home Won 40–0
May 6 BYE
May 13 BYE
May 20 Baltimore Nighthawks Away Lost 30–62
May 28 BYE
June 3 Hampton Roads Lady Gators Away Won 28–14

2018

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 7 Maine Mayhem Away Won 24–0
April 14 South Carolina Smash Away Won 28–0
April 21 BYE
April 28 Keystone Assault Away Won 50–0
May 5 BYE
May 12 DC Divas Home Lost 12–61
May 19 BYE
May 26 South Carolina Smash Home Won 62–40
June 2 Philly Phantomz Away Lost 6–30
June 9 Connecticut Hawks Away Won 33–6
June 16 Playoff Columbus Vanguards Home Won 34–0
June 30 Playoff Toledo Reign Away Won 12–6
July 14 Playoff Orlando Anarchy Away Lost 14–27

2019

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 6 Baltimore Nighthawks Away Lost 22–61
April 13 BYE
April 20 Philly Phantomz Away Lost 0–33
April 27 New York Knockout Home Won 18–14
May 4 South Carolina Smash Home Won 52–34
May 11 BYE
May 18 Connecticut Hawks Away Won 22–18
May 25 BYE
June 1 DC Divas Home Lost 8–70
June 8 Rock Hill Lady Raiders Away Forfeit 2–0

2021

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
May 1 Baltimore Nighthawks Away Lost 0–45
May 8 Carolina Phoenix Away Lost 6–13
May 15 BYE
May 22 New York Knockout Away Lost 14–34
May 29 Carolina Phoenix Home Won 8–0
June 5 Baltimore Nighthawks Home Lost 16–25
June 12 New York Knockout Home Lost 14–20

2022

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 9 Carolina Phoenix Away Lost 33–59
April 16 Virginia Lady Firehawks Away Lost 7–42
April 23 East Tennessee Valkyrie Home Lost 18–42
April 30 South Carolina Dames Home Won 19–0
May 7 BYE
May 14 Harrisburg Havoc Home Won 39–16
May 21 South Carolina Dames Away Forfeit 2–0

2023

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 22 Virginia Panthers Away Lost 0–50
April 29 Carolina Phoenix Away Lost 12–34
May 6 BYE
May 13 South Carolina Dames Home Won 18–0
May 20 Harrisburg Havoc Home Lost 19–20
June 3 Virginia Panthers Home Lost 0–52
June 10 North Conn Nightmare Away Won 24–16

2024

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 27 East Tennessee Valkyrie Home Lost 14–24
May 4 Raleigh Express Away Lost 0–21
May 11 BYE
May 18 Virginia Panthers Away Lost 0–6
May 25 BYE
June 1 East Tennessee Valkyrie Away Lost 8–38
June 8 Carolina Phoenix Home Won 53–0
June 15 Music City Mizfits Home Won 26–6

2025

Date Opponent Home/Away Result
April 26 Harrisburg Havoc Away Won 49–0
May 3 BYE
May 10 Music City Mizfits Home Won 27–6
May 17 Carolina Phoenix Home Won 40–0
May 24 BYE
May 31 Virginia Panthers Away Won 21–0
June 7 Raleigh Express Home Forfeit 2–0
June 14 Music City Mizfits Away Won 13–6
June 28 Playoff Upstate Lady Predators Home Won 27–0
July 12 Playoff Connecticut Ambush Home


References

  1. ^ "With the Black Widows, Women's Football Tackles Richmond". Style Weekly. Retrieved December 31, 2015.