Krunch Time
With women risking their lives in battle zones, it only follows they'll knock heads at the line of scrimmage
By Howie Olson, Contributing Writer
The Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The Kansas City Royals aren't the only hometown team off to a hot start this spring. One night after the Royals defeated the Detroit Tigers in front of a capacity crowd on a beautiful Friday night featuring fireworks after the game, the Kansas City Krunch of the National Women's Football Association won their home opener on Saturday, April 19 in a game that ended at halftime due to lightning storms that drenched the hundreds of fans in attendance at JC Harmon High School.

The weather may have ended the game early, but it didn't dampen the spirit of the fans or keep the Krunch from scoring 20 points in just 30 minutes. Fans were entertained prior to the game by Krunch players who sang the National Anthem after the team made their entrance through a smoke machine. Once the game began, the Krunch dominated its opponents from Evansville, Ind. Each time the Krunch scored, a machine shot red and white confetti into the cheering crowd. In addition to the friends and family in attendance, camera crews from Fox 4 and NBC 41 were on hand to view the action.

The scoring began early after the Krunch recovered a fumble on the first drive by the Evansville Express. With the rain coming down lightly, the Krunch took advantage of the turnover and scored their first touchdown at home on a short run from scrimmage by Cathie Stansbery. The run was set-up by a great reception by tight end Stephanie Campbell. Midway through the first quarter, the rain began coming down harder, but it didn't slow down the Krunch.

The second quarter began with an interception return for a touchdown by Krunch cornerback Nyala Cheirs who is also the team captain and lists her hometown as Kansas City, Mo. Later in the quarter, interceptions were also made by Sonya Harlin and Kris Skahan.

While the defense was dominating the visitors from Indiana, the offense was being led by Kim Kastilahn and Stansbery. Kastilahn, the 5-7, 175-pound quarterback did her damage through the air, while the ground game was powered by Stansbery who runs hard and low to the ground at 5-4 and 135-pounds. However, it was LaTanya Smith, another KC native, who scored the third and final touchdown of the game.

The Krunch, now 2-0, are on the road for two games and have one of their two byes before returning home on Saturday, May 17 to face the St. Louis Slam. The regular season concludes on Saturday, June 14 at home against the Oklahoma City Lightning. The playoffs will begin two weeks later on June 28 and conclude on August 2 at the SupHer Bowl. Last year, more than 5,200 fans watched the Detroit Danger beat the Mass Mutiny in the championship game in Pittsbugh, Pa.

Sonya Yanez, who plays defensive back for the team, is originally from Pennsylvania. Her parents, who still live back east, will make the trip to Kansas City to see their daughter play semi-professional football on May 24. Yanez found out about the Krunch from friends who she plays with in volleyball and softball leagues. She ran track in high school, but did not compete in sports in college.

"I have two older brothers," Yanez said. "My dad is very proud and telling everyone that he finally has a kid playing professional sports."

Yanez is the second-team free safety and strong safety for the defensive unit that dominated Evansville for two quarters in the rain on the 19th. Yanez, who is also a special teams starter, assisted on a couple of tackles in the game. She is proud that she is one of 48 women on the current roster who has lasted since the team assembled in October.

According to Yanez, 104 women began the process last fall. The team's policy was to give everyone who came out a spot on the roster. For the first few months of the season, the team practiced on Saturday nights between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. If this wasn't enough to scare away some players, the first full contact drills weeded out those who wern't ready to play in the NWFA.

"I took my first hit from our middle linebacker in a drill," Yanez said. "I saw stars, but it also made me want to hit someone back even harder."

The roster is made up of single mothers, those with families and those who are single like Yanez. The oldest player on the team is Kelly Dodd, who is 45, while the youngest is Cheirs, who will turn 22 in August. Twelve of the players list Kansas City, Mo. as their hometown.

Yanez believes that those who are still on the roster have proven that they have heart. Krunch head coach Courtney Porter has been more impressed with the listening skills of the players.

"The biggest difference between coaching men and women is that the women listen and pay attention much more," Porter said.

Porter found out about the NWFA and the Krunch from Campbell, his star tight end and co-worker. After talking with Campbell, Porter contacted the league office to see about getting involved. On October 12, 2002 he was named the first head coach of the Kansas City Krunch. He brings with him eleven years of playing and five years of coaching experience.

Porter was a four-year starter at the University of Missouri-Rolla as a defensive back. After graduation, he spent two season playing for the Sioux City Attack of the National Indoor Football League and one with the Chicago Enforcers of the XFL. He has coaching experience at the collegiate and professional level. Porter coached as an assistant in college for four years and was the defensive coordinator for Sioux City, his former team, for one season.

Porter's current team is in the Midwest Division of the NWFA along with St. Louis, Oklahoma City and Evansville. Evansville replaced Junction City, the original fourth team in the division. Junction City was unable to field a team this year since the majority of the players are military personnel from Ft. Riley who have been fighting much bigger battles this year.

Cheryl Fields, owner/general manager of the Krunch, has had to fight her own battles to reach her dream of owning an all-female football team. Fields has Trimethylaminuria (TMAU), a rare metabolic disorder that keeps the liver from digesting certain proteins. She has not let the disease stop her from reaching her goals. In addition to bringing semi-professional full-contact women's football to Kansas City, Fields is also responsible for starting the Trimethylaminuria Midwest Region Foundation.

"I wanted to do something different and cutting edge," said Fields. "I also wanted to give these women the opportunity to play a new sport."

Fields, who grew up loving to play football with the boys, has been attempting to start women's football in Kansas for the past ten years. Her attempts in Topeka, Wichita and Emporia didn't work out, but the NWFA recognized her efforts by contacting her to be the first general manager in Kansas City. Her idea that began 10 years ago with a piece of paper and pen has become a reality. However, Fields isn't satisfied yet.

"Within the next three years, I would like for the league to turn professional, so that the players can receive guaranteed salaries," said Fields. "We also hope to have our own training facility in the near future."

The NWFA was formed in August, 2000 by sports and entertainment entrepreneur Catherine Masters. Masters' previous experience includes the Lipton Tennis Challenge, the Nashville Film Festival, and the Virginia Slims tennis circuit. The league started with just two teams, but now has 30 teams playing this season. Kansas City is one of nine new teams playing in 2003. To find out more about the Krunch and the NWFA, you can visit www.nwflcentral.com