Despite putting up a tough fight, girls flag football lost their inaugural game 18-26 against the Gunderson High School Grizzlies on Sept. 3. Win or lose, the players put their best effort into the game, coach Rahul Sharma said.
The Mustangs started off strong in the first quarter, neck and neck with the Grizzlies, as quarterback, freshman Abigail Lin, handed off the ball to wide receiver, freshman Kayla Sonn. Sonn sprinted down the field, gaining the first few yards for the team.
Although the Mustangs were leading 12-6 in the second quarter, the Grizzlies made a powerful comeback. The Grizzlies broke past the Mustangs’ defensive line and scored another touchdown, giving them a lead of 12-13.
To execute more defensive plays, the team needed to work on improving reaction time for quicker responses, defensive captain, junior Tiara Rezvani said.
“I think defensively, we need to wake up a little earlier,” Rezvani said. “There are crucial moments of the game where we slip up, and then that’s how we lose.”
During the third quarter, the Mustangs struggled to regain their lead. However, with quick changes in positions of the lineup, the team was slowly able to make up a few points.
Toward the last few minutes of the quarter, wide receiver, sophomore Kaylena Covington, grabbed the ball and made her way through the Grizzlies’ defensive line, evening the score to 18-19.
With less than one quarter remaining, the Mustangs were seeking to make a return. However, due to sturdy defensive tactics played by the Grizzlies, the Mustangs could not make up for the points lost in earlier quarters.
In the end, the Grizzlies managed to take the win at a score of 18-26. Safety, junior Carlenne Malang said the team put their best foot forward even when facing difficult opponents.
“The game was really fun,” Malang said. “We started off really strong, but I feel like we should improve on defending more and keeping an eye on tricky [offensive] plays.”
As the game finished up, players huddled around, encouraging and congratulating one another. Seeing the players support and challenge each other, coach Derek Chan said he felt proud.
“[I enjoy] seeing the growth and seeing when they are able to understand a responsibility,” Chan said. “A lot of these girls know one another, and we’re only two weeks in, [but] they are meshing like a family.”
Although the Mustangs did not win, the players collaborated well and successfully communicated throughout the game, Rezvani said.
“I had a lot of fun on the field, so I’m already looking forward to getting back on there and playing another game,” Rezvani said. “I know that we’re going to improve as the season goes on.”
