By BRIDGETTE NORRIS
Even after their 6-13 loss to Jacksonville Mandarin High School on May 1, the Lady Braves flag football team felt accomplished. While the loss ended their state title dreams, it did not shatter their spirits.
Immediately after the game, team members began to blow up Twitter and Instagram with messages like:
@lizziemcewan: farthest the BHS flag football team has ever gone. I’m going to miss playing under those lights, but most of all for boone high school #forever brave
@brandirecker: four years worth of memories on this field, lots of blood, sweat and tears but no regrets. I could not be prouder to be a brave.
@taylorgies: could not have asked for a better group of girls. You all have become like a second family to me. A regional runner up is not too shabby.
In the Mandarin game, both teams started out slow, ending the first quarter without either team scoring. In the second quarter, Florin scored the first touchdown of the game and the only touchdown for the team. Mandarin scored a touchdown and earned the extra point, taking the lead 6-7. Mandarin scored another touchdown. Senior Kyndal Skersick blocked the Mustangs from scoring the extra point. But the girls were unable to defend Mandarin’s touchdown, which ended their perfect season.
However the team set the standard for the season by starting out strong, winning their first game 34-0 against Lake Nona.
“We have almost the same team as last year and new athletic players. I expect to go all the way [to states]. We have the skills to get there,” head coach Ken Hensley said.
Returning junior quarterback Bailey Florin threw over 300 yards per game and set a personal record of 450 yards.
“We have to go into each game with a plan and execute it. There are times when we get frustrated, but we somehow pull it together and play well together,” Florin said.
The Orlando Sentinel Super Six’s ranked the team #2 on April 21.
“I think we play really well together because we know each other. The team is very goofy until it comes to game time,” rusher Anisha Holloway junior said.
Defeating another team, on April 9, the team won 26-0. Florin threw three touchdown passes and had two interceptions. Skersick had two touchdown receptions and an interception.
Pressure built and players like Florin and Holloway looked forward to the Timber Creek game. The team considered Timber Creek a tough competitor. Both teams lacked losses and had 9-0 records. Within four minutes of the first quarter, Florin scored the first touchdown. Recker scored a touchdown in the second quarter, Skersick scored one in the second and one in the third. Recker and Skersick’s touchdowns were passes from Florin. There were no touchdowns scored in the fourth quarter.
Throughout the game, Gies and McEwan blocked the defense from reaching Florin, allowing her to throw passes freely. With two minutes left in the game, Skersick had an interception and continued to keep Timber Creek from scoring. The team won the game 25-0, leaving Timber Creek with their first loss.
Along with wins like Timber Creek and Lake Nona, the team won all of their regular season games and earned the district championship title on April 25 against Edgewater, 25-6. At the district game, Florin had four touchdown passes for Boone.
After winning the district title, the team furthered their season and played in the regional quarter finals on April 28. The girls won 33-14 against Seabreeze.
At half time, the team was ahead 26-0 but in the third quarter, Seabreeze scored two touchdowns. Florin threw for four touchdowns. Both Florin and Ketchum had two interceptions, one of Ketchum’s was returned for a touchdown. Recker had two touchdown receptions.
“Their clear eyes, full hearts and can’t lose” mantra helped the girls reach a record year. This is the first flag football team to win regional quarter finals and make it to regional semi finals.