Seventeen years ago, the Pittsburgh Passion won its first national title in an undefeated season that offensive lineman Eden Pleva deemed “magical.” Nearly two decades later, that feeling is coming back. “When we won our first championship, there was something magical in the air and you could tell that season was very special,” said Pleva, an offensive lineman from Lower Burrell.
“I feel that now and I’ve talked to a lot of the younger players about that and they feel it too and you can see it in their eyes.” An undefeated regular season at 6-0 has now set up a first-round matchup with the Tampa Bay Inferno for Saturday at Pine-Richland Stadium at 6 p.m.
With the energy and excitement level high, the Passion are looking to add to Pittsburgh’s great sports tradition with another championship. “Pittsburgh’s known as the City of Champions and that’s our goal too,” Pleva said. As the Passion look to add another trophy, the family of the late Franco Harris and owners of the team still inspire this group.
“Franco Harris was a wonderful guy and his wife, Dana, and his son, Dok, still come around and are on the sidelines,” Pleva said. “Whenever you hear them speak, you can feel that energy from the black and gold pouring through your body.” Co-owner and co-head coach Teresa Conn has seen her team grow closer together and it has only made the desire to win a title for Franco.
“It is a very special chemistry that we have going,” she said. “We are p.
