Heralds fielding girls flag football team for first time
· Yahoo Sports
This spring, Bob Dlwgosh and Saint John is fielding a football team.
Dlwgosh, the Heralds head football coach in the fall, has taken a dozen girls to form the school’s first ever girls flag football team.
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Among the playes are a couple of softball and volleyball players, a tennis player and dancer.
It’s been a learning experience, but their desire to learn the game and have fun playing has been off the charts, Dlwgosh said.
“The cool thing is they all understand this is their first year,” he said. “They know what they don’t know and they’re all eager to learn about it.”
Dlwgosh said the idea of putting a girls football team together happened from watching the success Edgewood had a year ago.
The Cleveland Browns and the National Football League are the ones who have spearheaded firls flag to start the team.
Dlgwosh said the Browns provide most of the equipment and other things needed to get started.
“They made it pretty easy, so it was a no-brainer,” Dlwgosh said of the decision to get the team started.
The Heralds were 1-3, not counting Friday’s doubleheader.
As far as the players on the team, Bree Graham, a standout on the volleyball team, has been the starting quarterback, while softball pitcher Izzy Holler is her backup.
“Both girls throw a really nice ball,” Dlwgosh said.
Victoria Valentic, who is a cheerleader and headed to Ursuline College to be on the stunt team, plays center, and is also excellent at running pass routes, which is a big part of flag football.
Marissa Arrieta-Williams is the team’s leading point getter with four touchdowns in four games, while Katie Carney has been great on both sides of the ball, Dlwgosh said.
With players involved in other sports and activities, Dlwgosh said he’s done what every coach at Saint John has learned to do — share athletes, and understand not every girl can be at every game.
“I don’t expect this to be anyone’s A-sport,” the coach said. “I don’t want to take a well established thing like softball and try to steal athletes or anything. It’s just a lot of working together and a lot of understanding.”
The team practices twice a week and travels towards the Cleveland area for games.
The Browns make out the schedule and placed the team in a division with similar sized schools
So far, Dlwgosh said the first year of firls flag Football at Saint John has been a very positive experience.
“It sure seems like they’re all having fun,” he said. “I think everyone is really having a good time.”
Conneaut, Edgewood, Jefferson and Pymatuning Valley are also fielding flag football teams this spring.
The Warriors are 4-2 and have four games remaining, including Lake Catholic and Conneaut Sunday at Perry.
Edgewood defeated previously undefeated Berkshire last week.
“We are hitting our stride,” Warriors coach Olajuwon Cooper said. “We are led by QB Annie Mae Johnston, WR Carly Kray and DB Natalie Stump. The girls play with great intensity and discipline.”
The Falcons are 2-6 on the season with two games left.
“It’s been a learning experience,” first-yer football coach Caleb Davis said. “The girls have been receptive, and it’s been very enjoyable.”
Seniors Dani Furman, at receiver, and defenders Leah Valenti and Abby Feick and sophomore Alaina Barress are leading the way.