Cheering crowds, flying posters, and the sound of cleats crunching on the turf: Jones College Prep girls’ flag football is not taking a sideline seat anymore.
Once overlooked, this sport is stepping out and making waves with last season’s regional win, transitioning from underdogs into a powerhouse.
“It’s a great way to get to know people in different grades and work for a common cause that ultimately can be successful and fun,” said Caroline Friesen ‘27.
Beyond just playing the game, these players have a bond that extends past the field.
“These athletes don’t just play as a team—they play like a family, coming together and uniting for a game they love,” said Julissa Galvez ‘26.
The support for one another on the field extended beyond the game, but it reached into classrooms and across the community.
“When we won, it made people notice us more. We kept getting compliments from people around the school, and even having a teammate nominated for Player of the Year showed others how far we’ve come. It really made the community see us differently,” said Nia Pullie ‘26.
The success of the team didn’t go unnoticed. The school community started to get a lot of traction, and even colleges have begun to take notice.
“Especially because they’re just starting to give out scholarships… it really shows how far the sport can take you,” said Pullie.
While this sport thrives today, it wasn’t always this collaborative. Using a reflective mindset when reviewing previous seasons shows the improvement that the right inclination can have for a team.
“Since sophomore year, the team has gotten more organized and runs way more smoothly. Back then, it was really unorganized and messy, but we still tried our best. We learned from those struggles, and it helped us grow,” said Galvez.
Of course, with any team, there are challenges to overcome.
“Right now, one of the obstacles is team compatibility. There are arguments and frustrations, so it’s harder to work together. But as captain, I feel like it pushes us to keep proving ourselves,” said Pullie.
Even with these obstacles, the player’s determination shines through, reflecting on their passion and perseverance for the game.
“This year, you can see the motivation—girls want to keep the streak going even after losing players. We know we went far last year, and we want to keep pushing,” said Galvez.
Their hunger for this season sets the stage for continued growth and success in the years to come. This is only the start for girls’ flag football. Beginning as an underestimated sport quickly gained momentum in our Jones community. In the future, this will garner the attention and opportunities that future players deserve.
“The organization and leadership from the previous years — it’s kind of like they set up the foundation for us. And now we just have to keep it going,” said Galvez.
Building on that foundation, the group dynamic has a feat to accomplish if they want to have a real impact on women in sports.
“Having the girls make a big news story… that’s maybe something that’s typically in a boys-dominated field, and we were very proud to have such a title,” said Friesen.
Inside Jones, the team has more communal goals, expanding their fanbase around the school. While each student has various goals and meanings behind their position on the team, the collective thought that they share is to leave behind a team that has not only proven themselves now, but in the generations that follow.
“I also think the legacy of hard work and work ethic should be left behind,” said Friesen.
