They may just be learning the game, but two teams of flag football players put on a good show last week.
The St. Dominic Chargers hosted the St. Augustine Hawks in a Horizon Central Athletic Association flag football game on September 21. The field was a little wet and the day was cool, but shorts, toques, and bunny hugs kept the players warm and intent on the game.
The game was close all the way, with neither team dominating on the field. At half time, St. Dominic was leading 12-7. The Chargers were also leading when the final whistle sounded, collecting a 20-15 win.
The loss dropped St. Augustine to a 2-2 record, noted coach Chad Knaus.
"We've had an up and down season," he said.
With 29 players in Grades 7 and 8, the Hawks are a fast team with lots of mobility, he noted. About half the players are new this year, but all the players always try their hardest, he added.
Right now, the team needs to work on capturing the flag, he said.
St. Dominic also has lots of players with around 30 Grade 7 and 8 students on the team, said coach Cal Theisen.
"Last year, we had 21 players. That was the first year we had a team," he explained. "The kids came and watched and said it was awesome, so they all wanted to play this year."
The season has been going really well so far, with the players getting pumped for each game, Theisen said.
"Our strength is that the kids are enthusiastic and willing to listen," he said. "They do whatever you ask."
The Chargers need to work on pulling the flag correctly and focusing on the play while they're on the field, Theisen noted.
"The biggest challenge is to not let them get down on themselves or other kids," he stated.
The flag football season is a short one this year, with league semifinals scheduled for October 5.
