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Although his team had a bye last weekend, D.C. Divas' first-year coach Keith Howard commended his players' dedication. Soon after practice ended last Saturday, roughly two dozen Divas made the long drive to Pittsburgh to watch the Pittsburgh Passion defeat the Detroit Demolition, 29-6, in a matchup of the D.C. squad's next two opponents.

The Divas (1-0 in the Independent Women's Football League) will travel to Detroit this weekend and then play host to Pittsburgh the following weekend in a rematch of last year's dramatic 38-35 contest won by the Passion. But the Divas aren't looking past the Demolition, who reached the semifinals of last year's IWFL playoffs and suffered a one-point loss to Chicago.

"They have a very good team," Howard said. "We have to take them very seriously. They're good. That score [against Pittsburgh] did not really reflect how good they are. They have very threatening wide receivers, two good running backs and their quarterback moves around. My team has an amazing commitment. After they practiced for three hours they made the five-hour drive to Pittsburgh to watch that game. This is a very committed group."

The Divas will now make the 12-hour journey to Detroit to face a squad that will be eager for redemption on several levels. Two years ago, the Divas hosted the Demolition and handed the visitors a 19-7 setback on their way to an undefeated regular season. Detroit will also look to rebound from the thumping it took against Pittsburgh last weekend, and the Divas will have to avoid looking past the Demolition to their home opener against Passion.

"I know this weekend is going to be a challenge," said Howard, whose team was off last weekend after winning its opener at Baltimore. "This is not our first road game, but this is really our first real road trip. I am not sure what they're used to, but as a first-year coach this is new to me and to them. We're going to rely on our depth and our conditioning. At some point we're going to be playing an overtime game and we'll be ready for that. We're focusing on the little things, the fundamentals and converting extra points. We can't afford to make many mistakes."

Running backs Rochelle Peckovsky-Bentley and Tiffany Matthews have been the primary workhorses for the Divas the past four seasons and both should get ample playing time this weekend after being held out of the 33-0 victory at Baltimore. Okiima Pickett rushed for 76 yards and one score, Vickie Lucas returned the second half kickoff 70 yards for another touchdown and defensive tackle Tessa Nelson returned a fumble 78 yards for another score in the opener.

E-mail Ted Black at tblack@gazette.net.