As the new school year kicks off, a new sports team makes its debut as the first flag football team Gabrielino has ever had, dominating the field and defeating undefeated teams. I spoke to #22, Grace Jarquin, about how the team feels and whether there is any pressure in starting a new tradition that will likely be carried on for years to come.
“I feel like since it is a first-year team, we don’t have that much pressure compared to other people who have been playing for years. I don’t think that expectation is there, but I do know that any expectations that people did have were exceeded.” Grace continued to say that the first time they faced two-time winning CIF champs, they had beaten them 37-6, and that they had only lost 2 games. “I think a very important role in our team and our dynamic is the quarterback, because she is the one who makes the plays.” “The way our team plays is like they want to win, you know they want to win, and they try to work for it,” Grace continued to say that #31, Sarah Velasquez, had played an exceptional game on September 18th while scoring a touchdown.
Grace proceeded to mention her teammate, #0, Chloe Tru, noting her speed and agility, which disoriented other players and gave Gabrielino the upper hand. I also spoke to one of the Flag Football Captains, #4, Sydney Martel. Sydney had told me that the title of “Team Captain” fluctuates between games and that she enjoys the fact that each member of the team gets to experience being captain, which relieves some of the pressure. Sydney mentioned that the team’s reversible jerseys have been controversial because “they are double-layered, so they’re 10 times hotter.” One last thing that Sydney Martel had wanted to add was that her teammate, “Scrag” (Grace Jarquin), was the “G.O.A.T” for her nobility and sportsmanship.
Thus far, the Flag Football team has felt little to no pressure when it comes to making it in the same league as returning sports. As the season progresses, we hope to see the girls grow stronger bonds and make their way to CIF Champions.
