Girls' Flag Football Flying High in First Season
New varsity sport under Coach Joe Berticevich starts off strong.
By Kyle McLaren and Atreyu Weber
New varsity sport under Coach Joe Berticevich starts off strong.
By Kyle McLaren and Atreyu Weber
Pioneer’s female athletes have a new field for competition this year, thanks to the addition of girls’ flag football to the fall sports season.
The season includes 15 games, five of which are home games held on the football field. The team’s roster consists of 15 athletes with seven on the field at a time, many of whom are new to playing the sport. The team is off to a great start with a 7-2 record as of Oct. 20.
Defensive center Suri Mowji, 12, is excited to be a part of this historic year.
“I have always enjoyed watching football, especially the (Las Vegas) Raiders and Pioneer’s football team. When I saw that our school was starting a girls’ team, I just thought it was the coolest thing ever. I knew I wanted to be a part of something so revolutionary, and it was even more exciting that it was the inaugural season,” said Mowji.
Starting quarterback Elizabeth Phinney, 12, who participated in the annual powder puff game last year, loves the competitive side of football.
“What makes me passionate about football is the competitive side, learning a new sport and working with my teammates,” said Phinney. “As a player, I am always working to improve each game by training more and getting my form down.”
Head Coach Joe Berticevich anticipates them progressing as players and enjoys every moment of coaching.
“Well, it’s (going) day by day, but we’re getting there. It’s fun watching the girls grow as football players,” said Berticevich. “I’m having a blast.”
Running back Jessica Tonegato, 12, loves that flag football is different from other sports and expects that the team as a whole will progress in this new sport.
“I’m working to improve as a player by listening to my coaches and teammates feedback that they give me. The team will overall improve by practice and getting to know our teammates better as a player,” said Tonegato.
Berticevich, who coaches boys’ basketball and badminton as well, works to build the team with AP Economics teacher and assistant coach Tim Koring.
“Both Coach B and Coach Koring are incredible coaches. They are totally devoted to the sport, and are super patient with the team. Not only do they push us to be better, but they are so good at explaining everything and preparing us for games,” said Mowji.
Tonegato believes that the team’s camaraderie makes playing a better experience, despite the new faces.
“A challenge that the team has faced has just been learning and adapting to each of our teammates' strong suits and weak suits, so that it helps us to know who’s good at what,” said Tonegato.
The sport has gotten attention from staff on campus, including history teacher Sarah Day, who is excited for the new opportunities students have.
“Any time a new sport is added, it’s an opportunity for more students to be involved and we need to do more to bring attention to the sport and the athletes,” said Day.
The season includes 15 games, five of which are home games held on the football field. The team’s roster consists of 15 athletes with seven on the field at a time, many of whom are new to playing the sport. The team is off to a great start with a 7-2 record as of Oct. 20.
Defensive center Suri Mowji, 12, is excited to be a part of this historic year.
“I have always enjoyed watching football, especially the (Las Vegas) Raiders and Pioneer’s football team. When I saw that our school was starting a girls’ team, I just thought it was the coolest thing ever. I knew I wanted to be a part of something so revolutionary, and it was even more exciting that it was the inaugural season,” said Mowji.
Starting quarterback Elizabeth Phinney, 12, who participated in the annual powder puff game last year, loves the competitive side of football.
“What makes me passionate about football is the competitive side, learning a new sport and working with my teammates,” said Phinney. “As a player, I am always working to improve each game by training more and getting my form down.”
Head Coach Joe Berticevich anticipates them progressing as players and enjoys every moment of coaching.
“Well, it’s (going) day by day, but we’re getting there. It’s fun watching the girls grow as football players,” said Berticevich. “I’m having a blast.”
Running back Jessica Tonegato, 12, loves that flag football is different from other sports and expects that the team as a whole will progress in this new sport.
“I’m working to improve as a player by listening to my coaches and teammates feedback that they give me. The team will overall improve by practice and getting to know our teammates better as a player,” said Tonegato.
Berticevich, who coaches boys’ basketball and badminton as well, works to build the team with AP Economics teacher and assistant coach Tim Koring.
“Both Coach B and Coach Koring are incredible coaches. They are totally devoted to the sport, and are super patient with the team. Not only do they push us to be better, but they are so good at explaining everything and preparing us for games,” said Mowji.
Tonegato believes that the team’s camaraderie makes playing a better experience, despite the new faces.
“A challenge that the team has faced has just been learning and adapting to each of our teammates' strong suits and weak suits, so that it helps us to know who’s good at what,” said Tonegato.
The sport has gotten attention from staff on campus, including history teacher Sarah Day, who is excited for the new opportunities students have.
“Any time a new sport is added, it’s an opportunity for more students to be involved and we need to do more to bring attention to the sport and the athletes,” said Day.