Most opponents were sympathetic to the plight Poughkeepsie faced, and some showed mercy by removing players from the lineup to reduce handicaps.
The players said the most difficult part of competing was going into each match knowing they had little chance of winning. They accepted that their greatest enemy was simple headcount.
In a 7-on-7 sport with only five active players, the Pioneers were always at a disadvantage and a win was almost certain to be impossible.
“We knew what was asked of us and we did our best,” said Alisha Anderson, part of the quintet that made Poughkeepsie High School's inaugural season of girls flag football last year.
Although the game is a seven-man game, the minimum number of players required to participate in the first round is five, so the Pioneers avoided withdrawal. But that group was physically exhausted in each game trying to keep up with opponents who easily cleared the field and trying to catch up on the scoreboard.
“Even if we were tired or in pain, we tried to get it done because we didn't have anyone else to go to,” sophomore Tiffany Walters said.
He was also mentally exhausted as he was unable to achieve victory despite his efforts. Some athletes may have given up at that time or declined to play a second season.
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“But these girls are the embodiment of perseverance,” head coach Cristina Antonucci said.
As you look around the field at practice this spring, it becomes clear why the atmosphere is so upbeat and upbeat right now. And louder. That's because when the Pioneers opened the preseason three weeks ago, the presence of 26 players meant an important first win.
There is plenty of depth on the depth chart.
That meant word got out, there was interest, and even after such a difficult season, there was still some appeal. Poughkeepsie, which plays a 16-game schedule, will host North Rockland in its home opener Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
“I think most people were (skeptical) about trying a new sport. Some girls might have been scared just hearing the word 'football,'” said Anderson, a third-year student. “But we told our friends about it, and I think they heard how much fun we had and gave us a chance, too.”
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has partnered with the NFL to introduce varsity girls flag football in 2022, creating a league with eight sections that were originally a pilot program. Round 1 began with his nine teams, and Poughkeepsie was one of his seven schools to help expand the following year.
There are currently 26 teams in that league, with Rhinebeck, Our Lady of Lourdes and Highland participating in the burgeoning Section 9 league. The NYSPHSAA also established a state championship tournament for the sport, which will debut in June.
“We played in the Powder Puff Bowl in high school and loved it,” assistant coach Zaile Peoples said. He was a graduate of Arlington School and used to compete in the school's annual flag football game for fun. “That experience made me want to get into this coaching. The fact that the league is growing so quickly means that a lot of girls are stepping out of their comfort zone a little bit and getting into this sport. It means you're giving them a chance. That's great.”
Alisha Anderson was encouraged last year by the belief that the season ahead wouldn't be too difficult. She was sure that recruiting her wouldn't be too difficult since her group had already found its feet.
She and Walters were also members of Poughkeepsie's cheerleading squad and convinced teammates Gabby Anderson and Mahalia Samuels to join them on the gridiron.
It also helped that People was the cheer coach. Some of the athletic characteristics needed for cheerleading – endurance, flexibility and strength – translate well to soccer. Mr. Antonucci was a history teacher who sometimes walked the hallways of his high school tossing flag footballs to his students.
Freshman Mia Stevens only casually watches soccer games with her father on the weekends, but some chatter at school catches her attention.
“I think I'm a pretty good athlete, so I wanted to try something new,” said Stevens, who also plays volleyball, basketball and softball. “We had never played (organized) soccer before, so me and some friends agreed to give it a try.”
Her athletic ability and throwing arm earned her a spot as one of the quarterbacks.
Flag football is a non-contact sport in which players wear belts with three brightly colored flags hanging from them. A “tackle” is made when the defender pulls the flag. So, just like in traditional soccer, speed and elusiveness certainly help.
Until a month ago, only a handful of newcomers knew more than the basics of soccer. However, Antonucci said the four returning players “protected the others and fostered a positive environment.” The “veteran” crew includes seniors Italia Mollica and Maritza Juarez.
With a beefed-up roster, there is understandable optimism about this season, and that feeling hasn't been dampened by last Thursday's opener loss to Monroe-Woodbury. Walters said resilience was a strength of the team, as well as “cohesiveness” as many of them were already friends.
“They’re mentally strong,” People said. “Children face different types of adversity and have many responsibilities at school and at home, but they cope well with it.”
Antonucci emphasized route running and footwork in practice last week to create separation. They hope to make up for their lack of football experience, at least to some degree, with overall athleticism. The group includes several multi-sport athletes, some with experience in track and field, soccer and basketball.
For some, martial arts. Quarterback Kanaiharae “KeiKei” Pascual, a transfer from Newburgh, won a gold medal at the U.S. Junior National Boxing Championships three years ago. Antonucci is a third-degree Taekwondo black belt and former instructor.
“Don't mess with us!” the coach said jokingly. She hopes to pass on to her team the discipline and calmness she developed in her martial arts career.
Antonucci said far more important than the results is that the athletes are having fun while building friendships. But they obviously want to win too.
Last season, the team “learned to celebrate small victories,” People magazine said. Scoring the touchdown was a big deal considering the circumstances. There is now hope and reason to believe that we can achieve more than a moral victory.
Depth, Stevens said, “removes the need for everyone to give their all,” and that alone will make this team “a thousand times better” than it was last spring.
“We have the numbers, we have good players and we feel high,” Alisha Anderson said. She said: “We know we're making progress and we're already in a better position than we were a year ago. I think we can get some wins.”
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
