When the Pittsburgh Passion battles the New York Wolves on Saturday in the Women’s Football Alliance playoffs, Hempfield 1994 grad Jen Bova will be embarking on a new dream, playing in a football playoff game.

You could say she has a passion for the game.

This is Bova’s first season of playing professional football, and while she doesn’t start, she contributes on special teams and as a back-up cornerback.

“I’m a 42 year old rookie,” Bova said. “I can mark this off my bucket list.”

Bova ran track at Hempfield and West Virginia. She also played softball and she coaches the West Point All-Star team that won a state title in 2018.

“I always wanted to try football, by being a mom I couldn’t,” Bova said. “Now that Maddie (her daughter) is older, I was able to give it a try.”

Bova said getting a chance to play with a great bunch of ladies is what makes the season so great.

“It’s been a lot of fun,” Bova said. “We have a great coach in Teresa Conn, and a lot of great players.

“It’s amazing home hard my teammates work. I’ve learned a lot from them and my coaches. When I played in my first game I wasn’t nervous because of career in the Marines.”

Bova said just being on the team is great. But she does like contributing.

“I’d like to see a lot of people come out and watch us,” Bova said. “People would be amazed how hard we play.”

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