RebelsRecap
The Virginia Crusaders Semi-pro Football team based out of Hampton, VA is heading to the 3A AFNT National Championship on Saturday, July 30th after concluding their 2022 spring season as undefeated (10-0) champions in the United Eastern Atlantic Football League (UEAFL).
The team is owned by Larry and Laticia Stith. They started the team in 2006 and have become one of the most successful semi-pro football organization in the country with 10 league championships and 5 national championships.
In 2020, Coach Stith reached out to Chenell “SoHo” Tillman-Brooks to join the VA Crusaders as their first ever female Defensive Coordination. This past 2022 UEAFL season she lead the defense to be the #1 defense in the league by only allowing 56 points during the regular season.
Coach SoHo brought the idea to Coach Stith of having an all-female defensive coaching staff for the National Championship game.
Coach SoHo said “Being that Coach Stith gave me the opportunity to be a part of the legendary Crusaders, I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to give other deserving and knowledgeable female coaches the chance to showcase their talents as well. Win, Lose or Draw, history has been made!”
Learn more about the Crusader’s Defensive Coaching staff for the upcoming National Championship game below.
Coach Chenell “SoHo” Tillman-Brooks | Defensive Coordinator
Coach Soho is current in her 5th season as the Virginia Crusaders Defensive Coordinator.
The native of Chesapeake, VA currently residing in Hampton, VA is an Army Veteran. She attended Deep Creek High School and Hampton University.
She is a retired Women’s Pro Football Player. She has played and coached in the Women’s League for 20 years for the Austin Rage, Austin Outlaws, Houston Energy, & Austin YellowJackets.
Here are a few of her accomplishments
- Coached at the Manning Passing Academy for Women in 2018.
- Football Coaching intern at Dartmouth College in 2018.
- AFE Hall of Fame Inductee 2019
- WFA Hall of Fame inductee 2019
- Subject of a Women’s Football Documentary called Playing With Rage.
- Worked on the 30 for 30 documentary “Run Ricky Run”.
Tiffany Matthews (aka. Bam Bam or Coach Tiff) | Linebacker Coach
Coach Tiff is the owner, Defensive Coordinator, and LB Coach of the Washington Prodigy women’s tackle football team located out of Washington DC. She fell in love with football in high school. (T.C Williams) After joining the Army while stationed in Germany she got the opportunity to play and it was “UP” from there.
She played flag football for 2 years before jumping into the tackle world. She was recruited for a tackle team during a flag tournament. She began her tackle career in 2004. She played RB/FB and MLB! So needless to say she loved that “work”! She is the proud owner of 4 championship rings!
Coach Tiff said “I’ve coached both sides of the ball and love teaching! “The best teacher is the student” and I’ve learned so much from teaching women and men that love to play football.”
Jordyn Marie White
Jordyn Marie White is a 19-year veteran of women’s football. She is currently the General Manager of the Washington Prodigy football team in the Women’s National Football Conference(WNFC).
Jordyn started her career playing fullback and linebacker for the Philadelphia Phoenix (NWFA) in 2004. For the first two years of her career, after finishing spring football with the Phoenix Jordyn suited up with the Delaware Griffins (WPFL) to play fullback and linebacker in their fall league. In 2005 she was the Griffins’ Defensive MVP, and in 2006 she was named Phoenix Offensive MVP.
In 2007 Jordyn moved to DC and began her six-season career with the DC Divas (WFA). She played linebacker and moved to defensive end after her ACL injury. She was defensive linewoman of the year in multiple seasons.
After the 2012 season, Jordyn left the Divas to start the Washington Prodigy with cofounder and Team Owner, Tiffany Matthews. She played offensive guard for four seasons with the Prodigy. The team maintained a strong presence in IWFL for four years, and upon moving to the USWFL won consecutive championships in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2020 the Prodigy joined the WNFC.
Jordyn played on the US Women’s National Football Team in 2017, competing in the IFAF Women’s Football World Championship as a defensive tackle. Team USA beat Mexico, Finland, and Canada to win the Gold Medal.
Football is definitely a cornerstone in Jordyn’s life and has created numerous opportunities and led to the establishment of lifelong relationships with her sisters in the sport. When not playing football, she Senior Director of Leadership and Development at Human Rights Campaign. Jordyn lives in D.C. with her wife, two daughters (ages 3 & 1), and two cats.
KeKe Blackmon | Defensive Line Coach
Coach KeKe was born November 18th in Little Rock, AR. Her parents are Albert and Denoris Blackmon. She is the youngest of three siblings. She is also a mother of 5 which she adopted them all! She was always taught, IF you are too big to serve, then you are too small to lead. She is married to her amazing wife Consuela Benson-Blackmon.
Sports has been apart of her life. Basketball is her first love!! Basketball gave her everything she could ask for! Football became her dream job! Women’s Football gave her a platform to show every little girl that anything is possible! She has had great success in this game.
Here are a few of her accomplishments.
- Head coach for KC glory women’s football 2020-present
- Director of recruiting for ZBSPORTS-present-GPFF girls play flag football
- 2x All Pro coach for WNFC 21,22
- Olathe East freshman football coach 20 and 21
- Olathe East varsity football coach-present
- Olathe JV coach 2020-present
- Defense line coach KC Titans 2019
- 2017 WFA Division Champions
- 2017 National Champions as Oline coach with Dallas Elite
- 2014 WFA Division Champions
- Kansas City Titans
- USA Gold Medalist in Women’s Football 2013
- USA Team Captain during Gold Medal Game
- 2013 WFA National Runner-Up Women’s Football-Dallas Diamonds
- 2013 WFA All-Star Women’s Football Team
- Champion in IWFL Women’s Football-Kansas City Tribe
- 2009 Team Captain, Tribal Council Member
Coach KeKe Said “Sports has given me the true meaning of family. Family also means Forget About Me I Love You!!”
Tanya Antoinette Bryan | Special Teams Coach
Coach Tanya was born in Cambridge, MD. Her father is in the Air Force, so she has lived all over the country, and spent three years in Lakenheath, England. Her travels shaped her personality and views on people and life.
She graduated from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio with a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering. She has held various positions at consumer products or food manufacturing companies over the last 26 years. She is currently a Project Manager at TAI Engineering.
She is the CEO & Founder of the Baltimore Nighthawks women’s tackle football team. She started the team in 2007. They just completed our 15th season. She started coaching for the Baltimore Nighthawks in 2015 as the kicking coach, and have been the Special Teams Coordinator for two years.
Coach Tanya says “Being a small business owner has been both challenging and rewarding. I believe everyone should have full use of their bodies and receive the care that allows for a productive life.”
She is also a USA Weightlifting Coach and a Pain Free Performance Specialist. She says “Experiencing pain is what keeps most people from working out or being able to have fitness as part of their life. I want to change that and change how we look at people.”
Ebony Kimbrough | Defensive Backs Coach
Coach Ebony began playing in 1998 with Carolina Cougars in Greensboro NC.
Started the Carolina Queens in Charlotte in 2004. Only women’s tackle team ever in Charlotte. She has played and coached every position on the field.
Graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1996 with a Bachelor’s of Science as a double major in Biology and Chemistry.
She served in the Army Reserves for 10 years as a combat medic.
She currently works with 4 different football teams
- Carolina Queens: Owner and coach
- Charlotte Blue Storm JUCO: Head Coach & DC
- Head ATC Charlotte thunder pro arena team
- Coach/ATC Carolina Predators semi pro team
The Virginia Crusaders will face the North Carolina Rebels on Saturday, July 30th at 7:00PM at Gwynn Park High School in Brandywine, MD. Admission is $10 for adults and Free for Kid ages 12 and under.