LYNN — This spring, girls flag football was introduced to Massachusetts at the high-school level, and St. Mary’s was one of the eight schools selected to participate in the pilot season. Flag football is a growing sport and is under serious consideration to become an Olympic sport in the near future.
This season, the St. Mary’s flag team is undefeated (8-0) so far and has only been scored on once. Under the direction of coaches Sharell Sanders and Terrell Patterson, the Spartans are aiming to win it all in a few weeks when the playoffs start at Gillette Stadium.
Sanders said at the start of the season she just wanted girls to come out and try it.
“We didn’t have high expectations at the start,” Sanders said. “But playing for St. Mary’s, the goal is to always win a state championship and we’re well on our way to doing so.”
The Spartans may have adjusted their expectations, since they are currently the number one seed.
“Seeing the girls learn the game and understand the game after each practice and game has been the best part of coaching,” Sanders said. “They always listen and show up willing to learn, and that plays a critical reason as to why we’re 8-0.”
One key player to the Spartans team is seventh grader Sophia Lafontant, who is the quarterback.
“We have a lot of talent on our team,” Sanders said. “Our quarterback, Sophia Lafontant, is participating in the junior nationals for the U14s. She’s only in seventh grade so she definitely has the potential to stick around St. Mary’s, grab some of her friends to play, and build a really solid core.”
Even though this is only the pilot season for flag football, Sanders believes that the sport has the potential to become popular in Lynn.
“I definitely see it becoming one of the main sports in the city,” Sanders said. “Growing up I always played football, but you eventually outgrow it because at some point it becomes a boys sport. I play in a women’s league now, where it’s very popular.”
At the start of the season, the New England Patriots hosted St. Mary’s, along with the other competing teams, for a jersey unveiling. Sanders mentioned that although not everyone was able to make it, it was a cool experience to go there and hear some Patriots players talk to the team.
The Spartans will have four more games between now and the playoffs, with two games on June 1 and two more on June 8. The two games on June 8 will be played at Manning Field.
After the four games, the playoffs will start at Gillette Stadium, where the team hopes to bring home the championship.
Sanders isn’t new to winning state championships at St. Mary’s, as she is on the coaching staff for the girls basketball team. She also graduated from St. Mary’s, winning state titles during her career as well. Sanders hopes to add another state championship to her name, this time as a head coach.
