Flag Football Heads Into Their Fourth Season

photo by Doug Schad

​Flag Football is planning to make an exciting entry into the ‘23-’24 season, as this is just the schools fourth season and they have already laid an intimidating foundation. 
by Brooklyn Hayes

photo by Doug Schad

​Flag Football is planning to make an exciting entry into the ‘23-’24 season, as this is just the schools fourth season and they have already laid an intimidating foundation. 

Last season the team finished with a tough loss to Northside Columbus, allowing them to finish at fourth in the region, via MaxPreps. Although the team didn’t make it past the state playoffs, the coaching staff and players have faith they will bring home a championship ring this season. Although they lost many talented seniors, the team is ready to bounce back and dominate the field. 

With the sport still being fairly new to the school, the team has passed everyone's expectations and has become very popular throughout WGHS. 
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In the four years since the team had been established, they have accumulated a 20-11 overall record, via  MaxPreps . Both Coach Williams and Coach Smith believe that they will have a very successful season, especially with this being the first group to go all the way through the program. Coach Smith says, “I am really excited about two things. Number one, our first group of athletes who started with us as Freshman will be graduating this year. I’m kind of sad about that, but at the same time it’s exciting ‘cause it’s all clicking.” These girls have made history in the school and built the standards for this program which is why the program has had so much success.

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WGHS’s female athletes from many sports such as softball, volleyball, cross country, and soccer come together to play flag football. Rebecca Jenkins (12) says, “I think the energy level is different. It is a brand new sport so we do play different teams. You also have girls from volleyball, softball, and girls from a lot of other sports like soccer. The energy that is put into the sport is just different.” These sports coming together brings an immense amount of energy, teamwork, and varsity talent to the program. 

Flag football is so different compared to other sports. Coach Williams says, “There is no entitlement which allows everybody to come in and feel like they’re equal and learn the game. It’s fun, it’s a short season so it’s not as grueling as some of the other sports. Like I said, it's just fun.” He also says that coaching this sport has made him fall in love with being able to coach again. That statement shows a lot about the players and the rest of the coaching staff. Coach Smith also says that she loves coaching and everything that comes with it. 
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Flag football will be holding tryouts September 11 and 12 after school and it would be a great opportunity to be involved with something great. In order to try out, students need a physical form on file and must show up at 3PM on the football practice field.