Last season head coach and PHS teacher Matt Vasconcellos took 2 out of 3 of his teams (varsity and frosh/soph) to CCAL where they were the 2024 champs and with only having lost one league game during the first official season for an all girls flag football team here at John H. Pitman High School.
So far this season, coaches Vasconcellos and Joey Oliveira – fellow PHS teacher – have started the season off with an outstanding record. The coaches wasted no time and put these girls through a lot of hard work and dedication. On top of all the hard work these girls put out in 100+ degree weather they still made sure the girls were happy and having fun and always making sure they were okay mentally and physically.
A new school year means new people, larger teams, and a fresh start. I had spoken with coach Vasconcellos and asked what are some goals for this upcoming season and he responded: “I want more team bonding and to strengthen the family; we can’t get better if we all don’t work together and get along with our teammates. And I want to focus on getting better. It’s not always about keeping track of how many wins and losses.”
Vasconcellos had also mentioned that there were a ton of rule changes, so I spoke with some of our returning and new girls on the team and asked what their goals for this season are and what they think of these new rules. I first spoke with senior Ivy Butler and she said, “The environment is a lot better this year, we all have good team chemistry. For my goal this year I want to double the amount of [interceptions] I got last season and more; just be better and improve on everything.”
Next, I spoke with junior Patricia Bray and she had said, “I like the environment this year I enjoy being around people who help me improve and that care about me. I also like having fun at the games and practices. For my goals this year I want to have more [interceptions] than I had last year.” Next I had spoken with sophomore Ella Johnson. Johnson said, “Since this is my first year of flag [football] I want to help my team as much as I can and be there for them when they need me. I don’t have any specific goals but I am learning as I go. I like the environment. The girls are nice and supportive of each other and I love how the coaches always help you and they want you to get better and they are very motivating.”
The last player I spoke with was freshman Natalie Douangphayvanh who said, “I want to try my best to improve on everything and to get along with the girls on the team and I also want to try and get MVP for my first year of high school and first year of flag [football]. I think the environment is good. I get along with the teams and just one big thing is the heat; you got to get use to it. The girls are very motivating.”
Since Butler and Bray (the unstoppable duo) are both returners I asked them about the new rules. They stated that they think the rule changes are challenging but that the team can overcome it. Even though later on it might make offense struggle a little bit they think the team can find a way to work around those rules, and for defense they think it’s a lot better because they are aloud to be a little bit more aggressive.
Overall, we have an outstanding flag football team and some amazing coaches that put these girls to work everyday. I hope all goes well for this season for the girl’s flag football. Never Settle Never Quit, Roll Pride!