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2008 Illusion Preview
Illusion Boasts New Coach & Rush of Confidence
January 21, 2008
Riding last year’s 7-1 regular season finish and first-ever playoff appearance, Illusion Head Coach James Reavis will try to catapult 20 returning players and their rush of confidence into another successful season in the National Women’s Football Association. The team will launch its preseason training camp and open tryout sessions this week at the St. Benedict’s Center in Erie.
Reavis, who served as an assistant under former Illusion Coach Keith Ludwig, took over the reigns of the Illusion midway through last season when a job transfer forced Ludwig to relocate. Ludwig and Reavis combined efforts to help Erie win six-straight games and produce its’ first winning season in franchise history.
To help him continue the Illusion’s remarkable turnaround into 2008, Reavis has enlisted the help of former Illusion defensive standout Ellen Leader. Leader, a Cheektowaga, New York native spent three seasons competing for the Empire State Roar in the W.P.F.L. before joining the Erie for its’ 2007 campaign. After handling duties on the offensive line, battling at both defensive tackle and end, and trying at turn at tight end, injuries forced Leader to retire from the field last year. Leader will now turn her focus to handling coaching duties on the sidelines.
“It really kills me that I can’t play. It was really tough at first, but the team really helped me deal with it,” Leader said. “I’m really looking forward to taking my career to the next level. I love to coach, and I’m excited about coaching and helping the team out in any way that I can this season.”
The Illusion will play its first four contests on the road this season, before returning to Tullio Field at Mercyhurst College on May 31 to kick off the first of four-straight home games.
Erie will open its sixth season in the N.W.F.A. on April 26 when it travels to Ann Arbor, Michigan to battle the Tree Town Spitfire in its first East Division contest. The Columbus Comets, West Virginia Wonder and Cleveland Fusion round-out the Illusion’s slate of division opponents this season.
Illusion to Face the Fusion in Preseason Scrimmage
March 12, 2007
First-year Illusion Head Coach Keith Ludwig and about a dozen rookies will get their first taste of N.W.F.A. full-contact football on Sat. March 24 when Erie travels to Cleveland to face the new-look Fusion in a preseason scrimmage. Kick-off is scheduled for Noon at Bedford High School Stadium, 481 Northfield Road, Bedford, Ohio, 44146.
2007 Illusion Annual "Beer Fest"
February 25, 2007
Join the Erie Illusion this Sunday as they kick-off their 5th Anniversary
Season in the National Women's Football Association with "Beer Fest
2007" at The Brewerie, 123 W. 14th St. in Erie.
Illusion Team Photographer Featured at TREC Exhibit
January 9, 2007
Capturing the images of the Erie Illusion Women’s Football Team in action is more than just another assignment for Art Becker, on of the Erie region’s premier photographers – It’s something he looks forward to.
Weather, Attitude Changes Warm-up Illusion
December 18, 2006
It wasn't just the mild, sunny December weather that left Head Coach Keith Ludwig smiling as the Illusion wrapped up it's final fall practice at Bayview Park Saturday afternoon. Ludwig sensed the unseasonable warm weather wasn't the only climate that had changed.
"I see so many positive changes from a year ago. These ladies have really stepped it up," Ludwig said "Their attitudes are completely different. The work ethic I've seen this fall is amazing."
Erie Adds Eight Rookies, Continues Open Tryouts
October 7, 2006
Bolstered at least a dozen veterans and eight new players, the Erie Illusion Women's Football Team is gearing up for two final fall tryouts and a mini-camp to prepare for it's 2007 season in the National Women's Football Association.
New Coach to Launch Illusion’s 5th Anniversary Season
September 13, 2006
With its’ Fifth Anniversary season on the horizon, the Erie Illusion women’s football team will mark the occasion with a new coach, new logo and a new vision.
Keith Ludwig, who patrolled the sidelines with former coach Bob Beres last season, was named Head Coach of the Illusion and will direct the team’s first tryouts of the season at the end of the month.
Cleveland Fusion Wins Again!
May 1, 2006
The Illusion fields a team half the size of the Fusion, if you only count
bodies; but heart and will are unlimited, and in that context, the Illusion
are winners. On a different night, a different playing field, they could
easily have scored at least two touchdowns, and possibly more. (article
from clevelandfusion.com).
Read Full Article -->
Illusion shakes off loss, faces Cleveland Saturday
April 26, 2006
Okay, 71-0 just sounds really bad. And -28 yards offense, maybe worse. Add five interceptions and it just doesn’t seem very positive, at all.
Then team captain Michelle Kephart sums it up with, “There were a lot of positives. We stuck together, played together as a family. As bad as it sounds there were some good things.”
Illusion Opens the Season with a Win
April 17, 2006
TOLEDO, OHIO - When Martha Swick crossed the goal line with one minute and 11 seconds left in regulation Saturday night, she did more than set the stage for an 8-0 Illusion victory over the Toledo Spitfire.
IIlusion win opener on Late TD Return
April, 16 2006
ROSSFORD, OHIO – Martha Swick returned on interception 27 yards for the winning touchdown with 1 minute, 11 seconds remaining in regulation to lead the Erie Illusion to 8-0 victory over the Toledo Spitfire in the NWFA season opener Saturday night at Rossford High school.
Ilusion Seek Next Level
April, 15 2006
The players were psyched. The coach was soaked. That’s how the Erie Illusion were last seen. The team had shut out the Toledo Spit fire 44-0 in the finale of its 2005 National Women’s Football Association season.
Road Friendly Schedule Helps Team and Fans
April 3, 2006
Simply brutal summed it up a year ago when the Erie Illusion Women’s Football Team stared down a schedule that included road trips to Massachusetts, Maine and twice to Connecticut.
Sat. April 26, 2008
at Tree Town Spitfire
Official Sponsor of the Erie Illusion &
the National Women's Football Association
