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The '''Gulf Coast Riptide,''' formerly the '''Pensacola Power''', is a women's full contact football team in the [[Wikipedia:Women's Football Alliance|Women's Football Alliance]] (WFA) founded in 2001. The WFA plays under NFL rules with minor modifications such as ball size and kick-off placement. The Riptide's current home field is Emmitt Smith Stadium at [[Escambia High School]] in [[West Pensacola]]. Their playing season runs April through July, with playoffs concluding in mid-August with the WFA National Championship Game.

The '''Pensacola Power's ''' history started one cool Saturday morning in February [[2001]]. That's when [[Catherine Masters]] (NWFA CEO & founder) held tryouts for the first women's football team in Pensacola. Ray Quinn (Head Coach & owner of the [[Wikipedia:Alabama Renegades|Alabama Renegades]]) and [[Tim Smart]] (Power Head Coach Candidate) were on hand to greet the first batch of football hopefuls. Over 120 women tried out for the team over the next three weekends but only 60 could make the squad. After a laborious selection process, 60 women were chosen and the team was ready to get started.

The '''Power ''' had less than 2 months to select a team, get in shape, order equipment and learn the fundamentals of the game. Expectations for the first season were understandably moderate. With 4 games against teams from Nashville and Huntsville, (teams with 8 games under their belts) the Power was optimistically hoping for a 4-4 season.

The '''Power ''' burst on the NWFA scene with a vengeance setting records for attendance ranging from a reported 2,500 to 5,000 fans per game. No one was disappointed. During the course of their first season the Power recorded the first ever undefeated regular season, earned the Southern Division Title with the 2nd ranked defense and the 2nd ranked offense in the league, had the leagues first and only 1,000 yard rusher ([[Jill Penderghest]]), the league leader in interceptions ([[Jodi Albright]]), the leagues’ best punter and field goal kicker ([[Emily Morgan]]) and earned a berth in the first ever National Women's Football Association National Championship game. While the '''Power ''' lost the championship game to nerves and the overwhelming size and strength of the [[Wikipedia:Philadelphia Liberty Belles|Philadelphia Liberty Belles]], no one could have asked for a better start.

The 2002 season began under a heavy cloud of doubt. After an awesome 8-1-0 inaugural season but after bad management, the '''Power ''' was given a new life. Bolstered by new ownership and confidence, the Power prepared for the 2002 season. With about 25 returning veterans the Power had a solid core to build on. The NWFA had added another 10 teams to the league and had recreated itself into five conferences. The '''Power ''' found itself in the new Gulf Coast Division with teams from Biloxi, Panama City and New Orleans. The Power was quick to use its experience and power to dominate divisional opponents and wrapped up its’ second consecutive undefeated season and divisional title. They outscored their opponents 421-19. They had the #1 rated offense and the #2 rated defense in the league. The '''Power ''' defeated the [[Wikipedia:Alabama Renegades|Alabama Renegades]] 12-8 in the first round of the playoffs but fell to the eventual National Champion, the Detroit Danger by a score of 14-7. The '''Power ''' has amassed a 17-2-0 (.894 winning percentage) record over the last their first two yearsof existence.

Unlike the 2001 season the 2002 season was a success on and off the field. With new management and solid financial controls the '''Power ''' ended the year with zero debt and the ability to start the 2003 season with a small balance in the bank.

Head Coach [[Tim Smart]] — who is a retired [[Air Force]] officer currently coaching the 2006 champions (the D.C. Divas) — receives orders and is unable to complete the season. The '''Power ''' warms up with a home pre-season game against the [[Nashville Dream]], winning 37-12. Coach Smart takes the '''Power ''' to a regular season 7-0-0 record before he has to pack up. Coach [[Mike Thomas]] (defensive coordinator) takes over as head coach and the transition is smooth. Coach Thomas' first official game as head coach is a victory and seals up an incredible record of 8-0-0 for the season outscoring opponents 480-10. The '''Power ''' is now undefeated in regular season play for the third consecutive year.

Entering the playoffs with an official Bye and home field advantage, the '''Power ''' is ranked No. 1. The first match-up was against the [[Alabama Renegades|Alabama Renegades]]. With a victory of 32-12, the '''Power ''' advanced to play [[Oklahoma City Lightning|Oklahoma City Lightning]]. Again, the '''Power ''' was successful with a victory of 26-14 and went on to the Championship in Nashville. Although the '''Power ''' played a head to head game at [[Vanderbilt University|Vanderbilt]] against the [[Detroit Demolition|Detroit Demolition]], Detroit made wise use of the clock and went on to win the Championship Title with a score of 28-21. The '''Power ''' holds a record of 10-1 for the 2003 Season and are the reigning Gulf Coast Division Champions and Southern Conference Champions. For the 2003 season, the '''Power ''' were rated #1 Defense and #2 Offense in the NWFA according to [[Massy Ratings|Massy Ratings]]. The franchise record stands at 27-3 (.894), not including pre-season scrimmages. The National Title has so far managed to slip out of their grasp, but the '''Power ''' has without a doubt established themselves as a national contender.

With Coach [[Mike Thomas]] leading the way, the '''Power ''' saw some new competition, as their favorite rival the [[Wikipedia:Alabama Renegades|Alabama Renegades]] were shifted into a different division. Although the games were tougher as the competition gets more experienced, the '''Power ''' had their 4th consecutive 8-0 regular season. New playoff rules put into place made the scenario such that you must beat each opponent by more than 30 points to ultimately gain the home field advantage. Teams who were given forfeits automatically were credited with a 30 point spread win. Although 8-0 and outscoring their opponents 398-57, the '''Power ''' lost the home field advantage, was seeded #3 and had to travel for 2 out of 3 playoff games. The '''Power ''' breezed their way through the first round defeating the [[Wikipedia:Ashville Assault|Ashville Assault]] 61-0. The team met the always competitive [[Wikipedia:Chattanooga Locomotion|Chattanooga Locomotion]] in the next round. This was the first time the two teams had met again since the 2001 season. The game began slowly with both teams showing some strengths and weaknesses but the Power opened things up in the second half and defeated the Locomotion 35-20. The final playoff game and Southern Conference Championship was against the Lightning in Oklahoma City. The '''Power ''' was disappointed as they weren't able to take the team to the final game with a loss to OKC. The franchise record after this season is 36-4 (.894) not including pre-season scrimmages.

This time, riding another 8-0-0 season, the '''Power ''' beat Oklahoma City in overtime earning a third appearance at the Championships. They traveled to Louisville, Kentucky to play the Detroit Demolition for the NWFA Championship but they were literally out of their league as the were overpowered by a painful 74-0 loss. It was Detroit's fourth straight league championship.

Limping home after their loss, the '''Power ''' never quite recovered and suffered their first regular season loss in the francise history to the [[Wikipedia:Austin Outlaws|Austin Outlaws]]. They ended the 2006 season 6-2-0 but still captured their Southeast Division Title. The '''Power ''' were beaten by the [[Wikipedia:Columbus Comets|Columbus Comets]] in the 2nd round of playoffs to end their 2006 season. [[Lakeisha Johnson]] finishes 2nd in the league in two categories: Punt return yardage with a 25.3 average, and scoring with 94 points. Deb Glaze finishes 10th in the league in sacks with five.

Despite capturing a 7-1 record and another Southeast Division Title, the '''Power ''' were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the [[Wikipedia:Columbus Comets|Columbus Comets]] once again. Running back [[Lakeisha Johnson]] finishes 3rd in the league in rushing with 1,109 yards with 13 touchdowns, and 7th in the league in points with 86. Kick returner Lottie Perkins finishes 3rd in kick-off return yardage with a 29.7 average. Deb Glaze and Audrey Kidd finish in the Top 10 for sacks.

Once again, the '''Power ''' finished 6-2-0 and won the Southeast Division championship. Likewise, the '''Power ''' were eliminated in the first round, losing 6-0 to the [[Wikipedia:Kentucky Karma|Kentucky Karma]]. Running back [[Lakeisha Johnson]] leads the league in three categories: Rushing with 2,725 yards and 28 touchdowns, kick-off return yardage with a 36.3 average, and scoring with 196 points. Defensive back Stephanie Durant finishes 3rd in the league with seven interceptions, two for TDs.

For the 2009 season, the '''Power ''' moved to the [[Wikipedia:Women's Football Alliance|Women's Football Alliance]] (WFA) and changed their name to the '''Gulf Coast Riptide''' because the previous owner, Roy Jones, Jr. stepped down as owner but retained the naming rights. The regional name "Gulf Coast" reflects numerous players who live in surrounding cities such as Mobile and Panama City. Despite another well-played season and a second straight 6-2-0 record, for the first time in franchise history, the '''Riptide ''' missed the playoffs. This is because of the WFA's new playoff system which did not allow for any wildcards from the American Coference and because of the '''Riptide's ''' two losses to the [[Wikipedia:Jacksonville Dixie Blues|Jacksonville Dixie Blues]]. The Head Coach is Mike Thomas. Running back [[Lakeisha Johnson]] finished 5th in the league in rushing with 1,023 yards with 13 TDs, 5th in kick-off returns and 1st in two-point conversions. Quarterback Ella Williams finished 11th in the league in passing with 516 yards and 14 TDs. Dominique Jones finished 9th in the league in receiving with 247 yards and six TDs. Jamie Freeman finished 5th in the league in interceptions with four. Audrey Kidd finished tied for 9th in the league in sacks. Jodi Wiggins finished in the Top 12 in punt average.