On Wednesday, September 4th at 7:00 PM, history was made across Montgomery County as the first-ever flag football tournament was held. The much-anticipated event, which began the start of the long-awaited flag football season, drew a large crowd to watch the Lady Panthers claim their first-ever victory in a landslide 33-6 win over the Montgomery Blair Blazers.
Many people are unfamiliar with flag football, though the game is very similar to traditional football. Of course, there are some differences, the most prominent being that contact is not allowed. In flag football, to make a “tackle” you must pull the opposing ball carrier’s flag. Another huge difference is that since there is no contact, essential tactics like blocking are removed, which also removes a lot of positions including the offensive and defensive lines – excluding the center.
The players are excited for this first season and looking forward to specific matchups. Senior Olwen Fotse, Senior Ramiya Malik, and Junior Madison Flowers all agree that taking on the Blake Bengals will be an enticing matchup because they’re our NEC rivals.
As for what drew each of them to join flag football, Madison replied, “I come from a heavy football family, and I wanted to try a new sport out.” Olwen and Ramiya said they have wanted to play football since they were younger.
Head coach Greg Jolles, who also coaches the PB Boys’ lacrosse team, is tasked with leading this first-year team and he’s ready for the challenge. Coach Jolles expressed that there are some strengths and adversities the flag football team faces. According to him “Some strengths of the team are our speed and our size, I think we’re one of the more athletic teams in the county. As for weaknesses, I would say we are our own worst enemies here.”
The flag football team is comprised of approximately 80% underclassmen, but the team’s leaders are captains Madison Flowers, the junior quarterback, and Ramiya Malik, a senior receiver and cornerback. The Lady Panthers are currently 2-1 after a 25-12 win against the BCC Barons. Next week they take on the Sherwood Warriors at Sherwood on 9/26.