A few years ago, I sat at a sports banquet next to Belle Vernon head football coach Lou Rood.

We got to talking about football, and amongst the Xs and Os discussions about his high school team, he dropped in a tidbit about his involvement with the Pittsburgh Passion women's football team.

Rood is a consultant for the squad that has become one of the most successful professional Pittsburgh sports teams, which is a stellar circle to be involved in considering the championship tradition in the city.

The gridiron field boss said the Passion featured some of the most talented female athletes in the city, and within a few years, the team would be among the best in the country.

Rood was right.

The Pittsburgh Passion added to an already ridiculous wining streak total of 22 games on Saturday with a 41-6 pasting of the Orlando Mayhem in the first round of the Independent Women's Football League playoffs.

Taking part in the success during the past two seasons has been second-year defensive back and Irwin resident Krissy Edmonds. She was joined this year by rookie Sue Hershizer, a North Huntingdon resident.

The Passion was born in 2002 with a record of 2-6. By 2004, it improved to 6-2. After going 5-3 in 2005 and 2006, the Passion exploded to an undefeated campaign last year en route to winning a National Women's Football Association national championship.

This season, the Passion (9-0) moved to the more competitive league, or so they thought. The local women continued to pound opponents on a weekly basis, outscoring foes, 331 to 87.

They will look to continue their onslaught July 12 against the Chicago Force in the Eastern Conference title game.

With just two more wins, the Passion will add to its place in Pittsburgh history with a second straight national championship, a feat that has been equaled by certain players from the Penguins and Steelers.

Another title would only add to the legacy of the City of Champions.

Bill Hartlep can be reached at starsports@gatewaynewspapers.com.