Liberty Belles return to the field with new coach [slideshow]

PlanPhilly staff

April 3, 2012

(Liberty Belle Diamond Jones fends off a tackle during an April 2011 game against the New York Sharks. The Belles play the sharks in New York this May. Photo/Bill Achuff)

The Philadelphia Liberty Belles will return to the field April 14 for another season of women’s tackle football. It’s the team’s fourth season in the Women’s Football Alliance.

Eight games are scheduled for the season, with half at home, and the Belles will play their first home game of the season at Northeast High School’s Charlie Martin Memorial Stadium on April 21.

The Belles were 2-6 list year and failed to make the post season for the first time in franchise history. The team returns this year with a partly new coaching staff.

New coach Dave Hall brings his experiences from several seasons coaching semi-pro football and with the NFL Junior Play Development in New York. He joins other first-time Belles coaches Mark Grelle and Matt Cutshall. Grelle will be wide receivers and special teams, and comes off a high school football coaching job in New Orleans. Cutshall is fairly local and brings with him playing experience from Pennsbury High School in Bucks County. He’ll be the defensive backs and assistant special teams coach.

Defensive coordinator Frank Trappier and offensive coordinator Larry Tankelewicz are back for their respective fourth and third seasons with the Belles.

All home games will begin at 6 p.m.

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