Draft:Cincinnati Cougars

The Cincinnati Cougars are a women's semi-professional American football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cougars compete in the Women's Football Alliance (WFA) as a member club of the league's Division 3 Southeast Region. The team's home games are currently played at Marx Stadium, located at Walnut Hills High School.

About
The Cincinnati Cougars were founded in 2022 by Angela Mason, a passionate advocate for women's sports and community involvement. Mason's vision was to create a team that not only competes at a high level but also fosters inclusivity and empowerment. Operated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization quickly gained support from local businesses and community members. Despite the challenges of building a team from scratch, the Cougars managed to assemble a diverse group of players and staff committed to excellence on and off the field. The team's core values include inclusivity, empowerment, and community engagement, which are reflected in their various outreach programs and events.

Angela Mason, the owner and president of the Cincinnati Cougars, has a background in women's tackle football and a long-standing commitment to promoting women's sports. She has been playing football since 2005, giving her 19 years of playing experience. Izaah Burks Sr. brings high-level experience, having played college football at Bowling Green State University from 2012-2016 and in multiple leagues, including the IFL (Indoor Football League),, NAL (National Arena League) , and the NFL. n his playing career, he was a defensive lineman, specifically a defensive tackle. His expertise led him to join the Cougars as a defensive line coach, where he excelled and was eventually promoted to head coach mid-season in 2024.

"The Cincinnati Cougars are more than just a competitive team. Our core values focus on inclusivity, women’s empowerment, football education, and community outreach. We strive to incorporate these values into all parts of our organization by welcoming players from all backgrounds and skill levels, breaking barriers and stereotypes within women’s sports, growing our athletes through skill development and strategic play, and making a positive impact throughout the Cincinnati community and beyond."

On May 4th 2024, Mayor Aftab Pureval officially proclaimed April 13, 2024 as "Cincinnati Cougars Day" in the city of Cincinnati.

Season-by-season

 * colspan="6" align="center" | Cincinnati Cougars (WFA - Division 3)
 * 2023 || 3 || 3 || 0 || || Did Not Qualify
 * 2024 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 1st in Division 3 South East Region|| Qualified - TBD
 * 2023 || 3 || 3 || 0 || || Did Not Qualify
 * 2024 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 1st in Division 3 South East Region|| Qualified - TBD
 * 2024 || 6 || 1 || 0 || 1st in Division 3 South East Region|| Qualified - TBD

!Totals || 9 || 4 || 0
 * colspan="2"|(including playoffs)

2023
In the 2023 season, the Cincinnati Cougars, coached by Mike Lucas, defensive coach Elijah Palmore, and offensive coach Chris Humes-Mitchell, played six games, achieving a record of 3-3. Their home games were held at Lakota East High School. The team scored a total of 80 points, averaging 13.3 points per game, while allowing 134 points, averaging 22.3 points per game. The season started with a tough loss against the Capital City Savages but saw a turnaround with consecutive victories over the Music City Mizfits and the East Tennessee Valkyrie. However, the Cougars faced challenges towards the end of the season with losses to the East Tennessee Valkyrie and the Grand Rapids Tidal Waves. Key players included Angela Mason, who led in passing with 674 yards, Christine Mason, who topped the rushing stats with 165 yards, and Kylee Taylor, who was the leading receiver with 291 yards. Defensively, Christine Mason excelled with 105 tackles and three sacks. The team demonstrated resilience and commitment to their core values of inclusivity, empowerment, and community engagement throughout the season and ending with a .500 win percentage for a team that was more than 80% rookies.

2024
The 2024 Cincinnati Cougars have had a remarkable season under the leadership of new head coach Izaah Burks, finishing the regular season with a 6-1 record. The Cougars dominated offensively, averaging 48.5 points and 389.7 yards per game, with standout performances from Angela Mason in passing and Kristin Miller in rushing. Defensively, the team allowed just 7.8 points per game, with Christine Mason and Jeanean Church leading in tackles and forced fumbles. Special teams also shined, with Kiana Williams excelling in kickoff and punt returns. The Cougars secured a decisive postseason victory against the Virginia Panthers and are set to face the Maine Mayhem on July 13. The team plays their home games at Walnut Hills High School and continues to be a force in the league, demonstrating their strength and resilience throughout the season.

Post Season


 * The Cougars won the Division 3 Southeast Regional Championship by defeating the Virginia Panthers 56-8.

Media
The Cincinnati Cougars have garnered significant media attention throughout their 2024 season. Spectrum News featured the team in an article by Sheena Elzie, highlighting their recruitment efforts and impact on women's tackle football. For International Women's Day, Megan Mitchell from WLWT spotlighted the team, showcasing their achievements and dedication to the sport. The TriDelta publication "Let's Talk Tri Delta" included an in-depth piece on the Cougars, further emphasizing their influence. Additionally, Quarterback and President Angela Mason was interviewed on WMKV 89.3 FM's "Spotlight Today," while the team and players were highlighted by Jason Maxwell on Fox 19. Current player Holly Boyd Trombetti also got some recognition prior to the start of the 2024 season for defying the odds by beating breast cancer and joining football to try something new. Her story was featured on Fox 19 along with information about the team and their recruitment efforts. The podcast scene also featured the Cougars, with episodes on "Person of Interest with Natalie Jones" and "How We Got Here" by Paul Fiser and Jamie Collins, delving into the team's journey and individual stories.