The Boston Renegades are a tackle football team in the

Women's Football Alliance The Women's Football Alliance (WFA) is a professional full-contact Women's American football tackle minor league that began play in 2009. It is the largest 11-on-11 football league for women in the world, and the longest running active women's ...

. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, the Renegades play their home games at Harry Della Russo Stadium in

Revere, Massachusetts Revere is a city in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, United States, located approximately from downtown Boston. Founded as North Chelsea in 1846, it was renamed in 1871 after the American Revolutionary War patriot Paul Revere. In 1914, the Tow ...

Formation

On January 5, 2015, three-time national women's tackle football champions the

Boston Militia The Boston Militia were a women's full-contact football team in the Women's Football Alliance of which they were two-time champions (2011, 2014). Previously, the Militia played in the Independent Women's Football League from 2008 until 2010, winnin ...

announced they were discontinuing operations. To ensure that women's football would continue in Boston, three former players secured a transfer of ownership of the team from Militia president

Ernie Boch, Jr. Ernest Alexander Boch Jr. (born February 15, 1958) is an American billionaire and businessman who is the former CEO of Boch Enterprises, a billion business consisting primarily of Car dealership, automobile dealerships in Norwood, Massachusetts ...

Molly Goodwin, Mia Brickhouse, and Erin Baumgartner incorporated as Boston Women's Football, LLC, and reorganized the team under the name Boston Renegades.

Season-by-season

, - , colspan="6" align="center" , Boston Renegades (WFA) , - , 2015 , , 3 , , 2 , , 0 , , 1st New England Division , , Won National Conference Quarterfinal (

West Michigan West Michigan and Western Michigan are terms for an arbitrary region in the U.S. state of Michigan's Lower Peninsula. Most narrowly it refers to the Grand Rapids- Muskegon-Holland area, and more broadly to most of the region along the Lower Pe ...

)
Lost National Conference Semifinal (

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) , - , 2016 , , 5 , , 3 , , 0 , , 3rd National Conference (Tier 1) , , Won National Conference Quarterfinal (

Cleveland Cleveland ( ), officially the City of Cleveland, is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located in the northeastern part of the state, it is situated along the southern shore of Lake Erie, across the U.S. ...

)
Won National Conference Semifinal (

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

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Lost National Conference Final ( D.C.) , - , 2017 , , 7 , , 0 , , 0 , , 1st National Conference (Tier 1) , , Won National Conference Semifinal ( D.C.)
Won National Conference Final (

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

)
Lost WFA National Championship (

Dallas Dallas () is the List of municipalities in Texas, third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of metropolitan statistical areas, fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 ...

) , - , 2018 , , 6 , , 2 , , 0 , , 3rd National Conference (Tier 1) , , Won National Conference Semifinal (

Pittsburgh Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Western Pennsylvania, the second-most populous city in Pennsylva ...

)
Won National Conference Final ( D.C.)
Won WFA National Championship (

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

) , - , 2019 , , 8 , , 0 , , 0 , , 1st National Conference (Tier 1) , , Won National Conference Final ( D.C.)
Won WFA National Championship (

) , - , 2020 , , 0 , , 0 , , 0 , , , , Season cancelled due to global pandemic. , - , 2021 , , 5 , , 0 , , 0 , , 1st National Conference (Tier 1) , , Won National Conference Final (

Tampa Bay Tampa Bay is a large natural harbor and shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west-central coast of Florida, comprising Hillsborough Bay, McKay Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay. The largest freshwater ...

)
Won WFA National Championship (

Minnesota Minnesota () is a state in the upper midwestern region of the United States. It is the 12th largest U.S. state in area and the 22nd most populous, with over 5.75 million residents. Minnesota is home to western prairies, now given over to ...

) , - , 2022 , , 6 , , 0 , , 0 , , 1st National Conference (Tier 1) , , Won National Conference Semifinal ( D.C.)
Won National Conference Final (

)
Won WFA National Championship (

) , - !Totals , , 55 , , 10 , , 0 , colspan="2", (including playoffs)

2015

Recap

The new Renegades organization turned to former

assistant coach Don Williams to lead the team as head coach in its inaugural season. Former Militia assistant coaches Michael Muccio and Brie-El Parker stepped into the coordinator positions, and the coaching staff was rounded out with both experienced and new coaches. Notably, former players Molly Goodwin and Jennifer "Coco" Edwards joined the defensive staff as rookie coaches. During the course of the season, the team added former New England Intensity Head Coach Johnny Johnson and former New England Patriots player Patrick Pass as assistant coaches. Geographically isolated from other teams in the Northeast Region of the

(WFA), the Renegades were alone in the New England Division, and played only five scheduled regular season games instead of the customary eight. A sixth game, an interleague match with

Independent Women's Football League The Independent Women's Football League (IWFL) was the first Women's American football league established by women players for women players. The league was founded in 2000, began play in 2001, and played its last season in 2018. Members of th ...

(IWFL) team the Montreal Blitz, had been cancelled. The Boston Renegades opened their inaugural season on April 18, 2015, with a home win against the Central Maryland Seahawks 57–0. The Renegades finished with a 3–2 regular-season record. In the WFA National Conference quarterfinals, Boston defeated the

West Michigan Mayhem The West Michigan Mayhem is a women's professional American football team based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. They play in the Women's Football Alliance. The Mayhem played in the National Women's Football Association from their inception in 2002 until ...

59–12 at

Dilboy Stadium George Dilboy Memorial Stadium is a multi-purpose public sports stadium in the city of Somerville, Massachusetts. It is the home of the Somerville Rampage semi-pro men's football team, the Boston Renegades semi-pro women's football team, as well a ...

. Then the Renegades hosted a Conference semifinal game against the

Chicago Force The Chicago Force was a women's American football team. Founded in 2003 by Lisa Cole, the team played at De La Salle HS & St. Rita HS – both on Chicago's South side; Lane Stadium at Lane Technical College Prep High School, Holmgren Athletic Com ...

, but lost 49–18.

Standings

Games

2016

Recap

Following a season as an assistant coach, John Johnson was appointed head coach of the Renegades. Patrick Pass stepped into the defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach positions. Former

coach

Vernon Crawford Vernon Dean Crawford, Jr. (born June 25, 1974) is a former American football linebacker. He played three seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the New England Patriots, who drafted him out of Florida State in 1997. Crawford attende ...

returned after a season away to serve as offensive coordinator and assistant head coach. 2015 kicking coach Cliff Ashley was promoted to Special Teams Coordinator. The Renegades added several new coaches, including former Massachusetts Mutiny and Boston Militia player Susan Burtoft. The Renegades were assigned to the Colonial Division along with the D.C. Divas, Keystone Assault, Philadelphia Phantomz, and Richmond Black Widows. But the deployment this season of a tiered playoff system with seeding determined solely by Massey Ratings made geographical assignments as such irrelevant. More meaningful was Boston's inclusion in the top tier of the league, known as Division I or WFA1, where they would compete with D.C., the

Pittsburgh Passion The Pittsburgh Passion is a women's American football team based in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. The franchise was formed in March 2002 and is currently owned by Teresa Conn, Anthony Misitano, and the estate of Franco Harris. The team is a ...

, Atlanta Phoenix, and

Cleveland Fusion The Cleveland Fusion is a women's professional American football team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. They play in the Women's Football Alliance. The Fusion played in the National Women's Football Association from their inception in 200 ...

on the conference level. The proximity of the Philadelphia Phantomz, however, enabled the Renegades to play a customary eight-game schedule by adding home and away dates with the new Division II team. With a 51–32 victory over Pittsburgh on May 17, Renegades quarterback Allison Cahill reached a new milestone in sports by becoming the first quarterback to attain 100 victories playing exclusively in women's football leagues. The Renegades finished with a 5–3 regular-season record, and claimed the third seed in the WFA National Conference playoff bracket. In the conference quarterfinals, Boston defeated the Cleveland Fusion 19–13 at Dilboy Stadium. The Renegades traveled for their conference semifinal match, upsetting the Chicago Force 17–13. Boston was unable to overcome the D.C. Divas in the conference final.

Standings

Games

2017

Recap

John Johnson continued to lead the Renegades as head coach while also taking over defensive coordinator responsibilities.

and Cliff Ashley continued in their established roles as offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator, respectively. The Renegades changed their venue to James R. O'Connor Stadium at Catholic Memorial School in Boston. Boston continued to compete in the highest tier of the league, WFA1. Like 2016, the Renegades were assigned to the nominal "Colonial Division" in the Northeast Region of the National Conference. An influx of new teams to the region added new competition in Boston's schedule from the Montreal Blitz who joined the WFA from the IWFL. Four players — Steph Jeffers, Vicky Eddy, Adrienne Smith, and Rese Woodfine — were named to the U.S. Women's National Football Team. Jeffers and Eddy, along with former player Emily Weinberg, played in the

2017 IFAF Women's World Championship The 2017 IFAF Women's World Championship was the third IFAF Women's World Championship, an American football competition for women. It was held between June 24 and 30, 2017. The tournament was hosted at McLeod Stadium in Langley, British Columb ...

tournament in Canada, and won the gold medal. The Renegades finished the regular season undefeated with a 7–0 record, and claimed the top seed in the WFA National Conference playoff bracket, securing home field advantage. Following a bye in the quarterfinals, Boston defeated the D.C. Divas 27–24 in the conference semifinal. The Renegades then defeated the visiting Chicago Force 47–33 in the conference title game. The final score of the 2017 WFA National Championship, named The W Bowl II, was

Dallas Elite The Dallas Elite Women's Football team is an American women's tackle football team playing in Division I of the Women's Football Alliance (WFA). The team, based in and around Dallas, Texas, was founded in 2014. The Dallas Elite reached the playo ...

31, Boston Renegades 21.

Standings

Games

2018

Recap

John Johnson continued to lead the Renegades as head coach and defensive coordinator.

and Cliff Ashley also continued in their established roles respectively as assistant head coach/offensive coordinator and special teams coordinator. The Renegades changed their venue to Harry Della Russo Stadium in

. Boston continued to compete in the highest tier of the league, WFA1. The Renegades competed in the Northeast Region of the National Conference with the D.C. Divas and the Pittsburgh Passion. The 2018 schedule included the Philadelphia Phantomz, the New York Sharks and the Baltimore Nighthawks. Boston had not faced the Sharks since 2013 or the Nighthawks since 2009. The Renegades finished the regular season with a 6–2 record, and claimed the #3 seed in the WFA National Conference playoff bracket. Boston upset the #2 ranked Pittsburgh Passion 63–26 in the conference semifinal, and the #1 ranked D.C. Divas 34–32 in the conference title game. Boston defeated the Los Angeles Warriors in the league championship game 42–18 at

Fifth Third Bank Stadium Fifth Third Bank Stadium, known as Kennesaw State University Stadium until 2013, is a stadium near Kennesaw, Georgia, that is primarily used as the home for the Kennesaw State Owls football team as well as the KSU women's soccer and women's lac ...

Kennesaw State University Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a public research university located in the state of Georgia with two different campuses in the Atlanta metropolitan area, one in Kennesaw and the other in Marietta on a combined of land. The school was fou ...

Kennesaw, Georgia Kennesaw is a suburban city northwest of Atlanta in Cobb County, Georgia, United States, located within the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Known from its original settlement in the 1830s until 1887 as Big Shanty, it became Kennesaw under its ...

. The Renegades became the first team since 2006 (

Atlanta Xplosion The Atlanta Xplosion, known as the Atlanta Ravens for the year of 2011, was a football team in the Independent Women's Football League. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the Xplosion played their home games in nearby Smyrna, Georgia at Campbell High Sch ...

, IWFL) to capture a Division I national title by winning three consecutive games away from home. They also became the first team since 2007 (

So Cal Scorpions The So Cal Scorpions were a semi-pro women's American football team based in San Diego, California. In 2011, they played in the Women's Football Alliance after five seasons in the defunct Women's Professional Football League, The ownership brough ...

, WPFL) to win a Division I national title despite having two losses on their season record.

Standings

Games

2019

Recap

John Johnson, Vernon Crawford, and Cliff Ashley continued in their established roles respectively as head coach/defensive coordinator, assistant head coach/offensive coordinator, and special teams coordinator. Boston continued to compete in the highest tier of the league, WFA1. The Renegades competed in the Northeast Region of the National Conference with the D.C. Divas, and the 2019 schedule included the Baltimore Nighthawks, Philadelphia Phantomz, New York Wolves, and the Tampa Bay Inferno. The Renegades finished the regular season with a 8–0 record, claiming the #1 seed in the WFA National Conference playoff bracket. Boston drubbed their rival the D.C. Divas 66–20 in the conference title game, then went on to defeat the Cali War, capturing their second consecutive national title. The National Championship game was held on July 13 at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado.

Standings

Games

2020

Recap

The 2020 season of the Women's Football Alliance was cancelled in its entirety due to health and safety concerns in regards to the

COVID-19 Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was identified in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The disease quickly ...

(Coronavirus) pandemic. Although regular season games were scheduled, none were played. The Renegades were able to participate in a preseason practice and scrimmage with the

Baltimore Nighthawks The Baltimore Nighthawks are a women's American football team in the Women's Football Alliance. The Nighthawks played their inaugural game in Brooklandville at Martin D. Tullai Field (adjacent to St. Paul's School). The Nighthawks played the re ...

before social distancing practices were adopted nationally to combat the spread of COVID-19. On July 1, a film documenting the 2018 season of the Boston Renegades, "Born To Play" was aired nationally on ESPN. It was aired internationally on ABC Network on July 18. The film, directed by Viridiana Lieberman and produced by Park Pictures, received widespread critical acclaim.

Games

2021

Recap

After the 2020 season was cancelled due to a global pandemic, the

returned to play in 2021 with a shortened season. The Renegades played a five game regular season instead of the customary eight. Boston finished the regular season undefeated. They defeated the Tampa Bay Inferno in the conference championship and then won the national championship game 42–26 over the

Minnesota Vixen The Minnesota Vixen is a professional women's football team based in the Twin Cities. The team has been known as the Minnesota Vixens and Minneapolis Vixens prior to being known as the Vixen (note lack of "s"). Established in 1999, the Vixen are ...

. By doing so, the Renegades became the first team in WFA history to complete a "threepeat," which is winning a championship three years in a row. Quarterback Allison Cahill was named the game's Most Valuable Player. Cahill's autographed game jersey and a game ball signed by the team were curated by the

Pro Football Hall of Fame The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame for professional American football, located in Canton, Ohio. Opened on September 7, , the Hall of Fame enshrines exceptional figures in the sport of professional football, including players, coa ...

. Cahill was also named the National Conference Most Valuable Player of the Year for the fourth time in her career. She became the first Quarterback lead a women's tackle football team to 6 national titles (2010, 2011, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2021), surpassing the mark of five set by Kim Grodus of the

Detroit Demolition The Detroit Demolition was a women's American football team based in the Detroit, Michigan area. During their most recent season, home games were played at Franklin High School in Livonia. They joined the National Women's Football Associatio ...

(2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007). Defensive End Danielle Fournier was named National Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Renegades were surprised by NFL team owner

Robert Kraft Robert Kenneth Kraft (born June 5, 1941) is an American billionaire businessman. He is the chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Kraft Group, a diversified holding company with assets in paper and packaging, sports and entertainment ...

who offered to have the team flown to the WFA National Championship Game aboard the New England Patriots team plane. The event went viral on social media, providing exposure and publicity to the team and the sport of women's tackle football. "Born To Play," a film documenting the 2018 season of the Boston Renegades, was made widely available through video-on-demand platforms including Hulu, Apple TV,

VUDU Vudu is an American digital video store and streaming service owned by Fandango Media, a joint-venture between NBCUniversal and Warner Bros. Discovery. The company offers transactional video on demand rentals and digital purchases of film ...

, and

Netflix Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fi ...

Standings

Games

2022

Recap

The Renegades played a six game regular season, finishing the regular season undefeated. Over the course of the regular season, Boston celebrated its milestone 50th franchise victory and wide receiver Adrienne Smith became the WFA's all-time receiving yards leader. Quarterback Allison Cahill was named the WFA National Conference Most Valuable Player for the 2022 season. In the postseason, Boston defeated the D.C. Divas in the National Conference semifinal, the

in the National Conference championship, and then won the national championship game 32–12 over the

. By doing so, the Renegades became the first team in WFA history to complete a "fourpeat," winning a championship an unprecedented four years in a row. Chanté Bonds was named the MVP of the championship game which was televised on

ESPN2 ESPN2 is an American multinational pay television network owned by ESPN Inc., a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company (which owns a controlling 80% stake) and Hearst Communications (which owns the remaining 20%). ESPN2 was initially fo ...

Standings

Games

References

External links

Boston Renegades official websiteWFA official website
{{Massachusetts Sports Women's Football Alliance teams Revere, Massachusetts American football teams in Massachusetts American football teams established in 2015 2015 establishments in Massachusetts Sports in Suffolk County, Massachusetts Women in Boston