As a first year team, the Miami High flag football girls came out dominating. They are District and GMAC Champions, and were ranked #5 in the whole state. They entered the playoff’s on April 26^th beating Coral Gables, but then the team fell short at the Regional semifinals on May 9^th against Hialeah High School, thus ending their season with a 13-1 record.

Coach Yanes acknowledges that her top players from this season were: Seniors #5 quarterback and safety Jeri Richards and #2 running back, corner back & receiver Andrisia Sweeting, and sophomore #12 Diana Pena, who plays multiple positions.

Flag football is just like regular American football, but instead of tackling the offensive opponents, defenders pull one of two flags from the offensive player’s waist in order to stop her from scoring a touchdown. Miami High’s flag football team plays with 7 players on each side, and it’s considered a contact sport because blocking is allowed.

The flag football team was started at Miami High to create more athletic opportunities for female students. History teacher and head flag football coach Ms. Yanes said, “Last year when I was still part of the athletic department, it was decided to have a girls flag football team to promote female athletic participation and to assist with gender equity.”

Players have different motives for being a part of the girls’ flag football team. Outside linebacker sophomore Mona Odeh #14, who has experience in this sport, said, “I’ve always played flag football since middle school, and when I heard that Dade-County made it official, I couldn’t help but join.”

Rusher and middle linebacker sophomore Grisel Almeida #15, who wanted to be a part of the first all girls flag football team at Miami High, said, “I felt it was a great opportunity.”

Sophomore Diana Peña #12, who plays multiple positions, said, “I joined the team because ever since I played in a Purple and White game for Shenandoah Middle School, I’ve been waiting for the opportunity to get to play once again.”

Playing football is not easy; it comes with many challenges. Quarterback and safety senior Jeri Richards #5 said that the hardest thing for her is “having to stand out in the sun for an hour and 30 minutes of practice while trying to stay hydrated.”

Freshman receiver Shekinah Rachel #7 says that it’s challenging to run plays. “It’s kind of like expect the unexpected. Each game the game plans changes,” she said.

Diana Peña added that staying calm and relaxed during a game is really challenging “especially if the opposing team is taunting us.”

There’s also a lot to like about being on being on the flag football team. Shekinah Richards likes seeing the joy and smiles on her teammates’ faces when they win. “Alot of the girls have never experienced being on a winning team, and being a part of that is just awesome,” she said.

Multi-position player #2 Andrisia Sweeting, a senior, says that playing football gives her a certain type of euphoria. “I feel like I can’t be stopped. When I’m playing, nothing else matters,” she said.

Mona Odeh added that catching the ball and snatching someone’s flag is such a thrill.