At Seminole Ridge High School, the girls flag football team's trophy case is filled with postseason awards, including five state championship trophies. This year's team, under the direction of head coach Scott O'Hara, is focused on adding more hardware to the case, possibly adding a sixth state championship banner to the rafters of the school's gymnasium. Sometimes I do.
At Seminole Ridge, the school won state titles in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 and three other times (2014; 2017 and 2018). Last year's team advanced to the top four in Class 2A of the Florida High School Athletic Association.
This year's team is off to a good start. After 5 games, the Hawks have 4 wins and 1 loss. Two of his wins were against teams with strong flag football programs, Plant High School in Tampa and Newsom High School in Lithia.
In Seminole Ridge's first four games, the offense was hot and the defense was strong. The offense scored a total of 100 points, and the defense did not allow a single point.
The team's only loss was a 20-7 loss to Park Vista High School on March 2. After Seminole Ridge took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, Park Vista answered with a touchdown in the second quarter to tie the game at 7-7. , in half. Park Vista then rallied and won the game, scoring 13 points in the fourth quarter.
Seminole Ridge will need the contributions of every player on its roster to have a strong regular season and productive postseason.
“We really have 15 key players this season because each player has to play a unique role for us to be successful,” O'Hara said. “It starts with the chemistry of our team, the day-to-day work of each individual, and all the way to the level of competition that our players have to reach. It really takes the whole unit to play as one. .”
O'Hara expects strong leadership from his three seniors.
“It all starts with our great seniors Angelina Sanchez, Gisela Negron and Alexa Baez and the example and standards they set for our team,” O’Hara said.
Seminole Ridge's varsity roster features players from all grade levels.
“It also includes our great juniors Dakota Parks, Sydney Pena, Laura Agosto and Lily von-Pulkain,” O’Hara said. “Followed by great sophomores like Carrie DiDio, Victoria Iron, and Jazlyn Lewis, and talented freshmen like Jania Tejeda, Emily Clay, Chachi Sanders, Aubrey Vogel, and Olivia Agosto. We really have the potential to be a very dynamic team.”
Of those 15 players, just over half played for Seminole Ridge last year. “We have eight returning players from last year's team,” O'Hara said.
In flag football, every successful team has a talented quarterback, and Seminole Ridge is no exception.
“We're very fortunate to have two talented quarterbacks in Dakota Parks and Aubrey Vogel. They can run, they can throw, and they know the game well,” O'Hara said.
The next big test for Seminole Ridge will be on Friday, March 8th when the Hawks host Leonard High School for three home games in two days, followed by a game against Lakewood Ranch High School on Saturday, March 9th. The game will be against Pembroke Pines Charter School.
Although O'Hara is the head coach, he is quick to point out the important role of his assistants.
“Our team wouldn't be as competitive or as complete without our great coaches Ron Taylor and Chris Truszkowski, and of course our amazing team mom Carrie Chieffalo,” he said.
