Most opponents were sympathetic to the predicament Poughkeepsie found itself in, and some showed leniency, even removing players from their lineup to reduce the handicap.
The hardest part about competing, according to the players, is going into every game knowing there is little chance of winning. They accepted that their biggest nemesis was simple headcount.
With only five players on their active roster, the Pioneers were constantly at a disadvantage in a seven-on-seven game, and the circumstances ensured that victory would be nearly impossible.
“We knew what was coming, but we did the best we could,” said Allysha Anderson, part of the quintet that made Poughkeepsie High School’s first girls flag football season possible last year.
Although it is a seven-player format, five is the minimum number of athletes required to compete in the Section 1 league, so the Pioneers did not have to forfeit. But this group was physically exhausted in every game, trying to catch up with opponents who were slightly ahead on the field and trying to catch up on the scoreboard.
“If you were tired or even felt pain,” said sophomore Tiffany Walters, “you tried to play through it because we didn’t have anyone to go to.”
There was also an emotional toll because despite these efforts they remained winless. At that time, some athletes might have given up or declined to play a second season.
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“But these girls,” said head coach Kristina Antonucci, “are the epitome of perseverance.”
Panning the training ground this spring, it's clear why the mood is now so bright and cheerful. And louder. Because when the Pioneers began their preseason three weeks ago, the presence of 26 players marked a significant first win.
There would be enough depth for a depth chart!
It meant the word had gotten out and there was interest, and that even after such a difficult season there was still an attraction. Poughkeepsie, which has a 16-game schedule, hosts North Rockland for its home opener on Tuesday at 4:30 p.m.
“I think most people were (skeptical) about trying a new sport, and just hearing 'soccer' might have scared some girls,” said Anderson, a junior. “But we told our friends about it and I think when they heard we enjoyed it, they gave it a try.”
The New York State Public High School Athletic Association has partnered with the NFL to introduce girls' varsity flag football in 2022. Leagues were founded in eight sections for what was initially intended as a pilot program. Section 1 began with nine teams and Poughkeepsie was among seven schools that contributed to its expansion the following year.
That league now includes 26 teams, and Rhinebeck, Our Lady of Lourdes and Highland are now part of a burgeoning Section 9 league. NYSPHSAA has also created a state championship tournament for the sport, which will be held for the first time in June.
“I played in the Powderpuff Bowl in high school and I really enjoyed it,” said assistant coach Za'ire People, an Arlington graduate who attended that school's annual flag football game for fun. “This experience made me want to get involved as a trainer. The league's rapid growth means many girls are stepping out of their comfort zone a little and giving the sport a chance. That's great.”
Last year, Allysha Anderson was buoyed by the belief that the coming seasons would no longer be so difficult. She was sure that recruiting would no longer be so difficult since her group had pulled out all the stops.
She and Walters are also members of the Poughkeepsie cheerleading squad, and they convinced teammates Gabby Anderson and Mahalia Samuels to join them on the roster.
It also helped that People is the cheer coach. Some of the athletic qualities required in cheerleading – endurance, flexibility and strength – translate well to football. Antonucci is a history teacher and she sometimes walked down the high school hallway and pitched flag football to students.
Freshman Mia Stevens watches football casually, on weekends with her father, but the chatter at school caught her attention.
“I think I’m a pretty good athlete and 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 a few friends agreed to give it a try.”
Her athleticism and throwing arm earned her a spot at quarterback.
Flag football is a non-contact sport in which players wear belts with three colorful flags hanging from them. A “tackle” occurs when a defender rips out a flag. As in traditional football, speed and volatility certainly help.
A month ago, only a handful of rookies knew more than the basics of football. But, Antonucci said, the four returning players “took the others under their wing and created a positive environment.” The “Veterans” crew includes seniors Italia Mollica and Maritza Juarez.
With a strengthened roster, there is understandable optimism for this season, and the loss to Monroe-Woodbury in the season opener last Thursday didn't dampen that. Resilience is a strength of the team, Walters said, as is their “cohesion,” since many of them are already friends.
“They are also mentally strong,” People said. “These children face a variety of adversities and have a lot of responsibilities at school and at home, and they cope well.”
Last week in practice, Antonucci emphasized route running and footwork to create spacing. They hope that their collective athleticism can at least somewhat compensate for their lack of football experience. The group includes several multi-sport athletes, some with backgrounds in track and field, soccer and basketball.
For some, martial arts. Quarterback Kanayharae “KayKay” Pascual, a transfer from Newburgh, won gold at a U.S. national junior boxing tournament three years ago. Antonucci is a third-degree taekwondo black belt and former instructor.
“Don’t mess with us!” said the coach jokingly. She wants to convey the discipline and calm developed in martial arts to the team.
Much more important than the results, Antonucci said, is enjoying athletics and building camaraderie. But of course they also want to win.
Last season, People said, the team “learned to celebrate the small victories.” Under those circumstances, scoring a touchdown was a big deal. There is now hope—and reason to believe—that more than moral victories are achievable.
With his depth, Stevens said, “everyone doesn't have to expend all their energy,” and that alone will make this team “a thousand times better” than last spring.
“We have the numbers, we have some good athletes and our spirits are good,” Allysha Anderson said. “We know we are making progress and are already in a better position than we were a year ago. We think we can get some wins.”
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
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