Dominance, Redemption, and Legacy: Texas Elite Spartans Poised for Historic Regular Season Finish

Entering the 2025 season, the Texas Elite Spartans were not the trendy pick to top the Central Division.

In fact, for the first time in recent memory, the Spartans were overlooked, even doubted.

Why?

Because they had lost a lot.

The 2024 offseason was a turning point, marked by the departure of several franchise pillars. Leading touchdown scorer Tara Thomas left in free agency. Deep threat Liz Landry, who racked up 164 yards and 2 TDs in 2024, did not return. Amanda Heilman, one of the most reliable receivers on the roster, has missed the entire 2025 season with a hand injury.

Defensively, 2024 team captain and tackle leader Allyssa Weatherd took her talents elsewhere. Veteran lineman and all time team sac leader Olivia Griswold retired. Brittany Bushman, dominant former QB1, also retired. And Satoria Bell, who opened the 2024 season as the starting QB, did not finish the campaign and did not returned.

By every measurable, the Spartans were expected to rebuild.

Instead, they reloaded.

29 New Athletes, One Unified Mission

The Spartans brought in 29 new athletes during the offseason, the largest single-year talent infusion in team history. The goal wasn’t just to fill roster spots. It was to elevate the standard.

And from Week 2 onward, that’s exactly what this team has done.

After a 20-14 loss to Kansas City in the opener, a start that marked the most points ever allowed in a season debut, the Spartans hit the reset button. What followed was a four-game stretch of complete dominance. They've since gone 4-0, outscoring opponents 159-6, and reestablished themselves as the powerhouse of the Central Division.

Michelle Angel’s Moment

Much of that turnaround has come at the hands of Michelle Angel, a first-year starter who’s now statistically the top quarterback in the league. With 690 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and a 65% completion rate, Angel is not just managing games, she’s dominating them.

Her ability to connect with new and returning targets like all time team leader in receiving TDs Maria Jackson, Ashley McBay, Sarah Watson De La Torre, and flashy rookie Summer McNeal has made the offense unpredictable and explosive. The Spartans now lead the league in total offense, points per game (30.5), and first downs.

The Evolution of the Run Game

Replacing Tara Thomas was no small task. But Destanie Yarbrough has stepped up in a major way, rushing for 313 yards on just 43 carries (7.3 avg) with 4 touchdowns. Veteran star Janice Mitchell stepped up to help. the offense as a guiding force in the backfield, and newcomer Jazmine Rambo has emerged as a change-of-pace weapon, adding over 200 all-purpose yards and 4 scores in limited touches.

Defense Rebuilt—and Better

If the offense is elite, the defense is downright suffocating. After a shaky start, the unit has returned to form, allowing just one touchdown in the past four games.

Led by Deana Simmons-Guidry, who’s delivered 17.5 total tackles, 9 TFLs, and a forced fumble, the front seven has been nothing short of dominant. Supporting cast members like Christine Jaqueth Mason, Amber Kimbrough, and Whitney Palmer have created one of the deepest and most athletic defensive units in the league.

The return of defensive player of the year Mercedes Tyler in week 5 adds a scary element to this defense that is trending.

The secondary, meanwhile, hasn’t skipped a beat despite key departures. Jewelle Grimsley, Jamie Lock and rookie Grace Wiley are leading the way.

Through five games, the defense is giving up just 5.2 points per game (26 points total), improving on last year’s total of 42 total points over 6 games.

Culture Comeback

What makes this run even more remarkable is that no one expected it.

After losing so many key leaders, the Spartans were labeled as a team in transition. But instead of folding, they tightened their circle. Coaches doubled down on accountability. Veterans set the tone. And 29 new Spartans bought in a new vibe!

This isn’t a team that’s coasting on legacy. This is a group that rebuilt its identity from the ground up.

And now they’re sitting atop one of the toughest divisions in the league, with one game left to put an exclamation point on the regular season.

Final Test Before the playoffs begin

The Spartans close out the regular season at home against the Houston Mambas. A win would secure their fifth straight victory, solidify top playoff seeding, and cap off what may go down as one of the most impressive regular-season turnarounds in team history.

Catch the final game of the regular season on Saturday May 10 at Coppell West. Buy Tickets Here.