With the winter behind us and temperatures rising, the LM girls’ flag football team finds themselves in the midst of their season— a time when weaknesses are revealed and improvements are made. Entering their first year as an official PIAA sport, the group is working to enhance their skills and overcome the struggles they faced during their inaugural season. 

The addition of a new sport brought difficulties revolving around inexperience and comprehension. For the girls’ flag football team, they faced a lack of knowledge of the sport. While many athletes were familiar with tackle football, which heavily relies on strength, flag football requires a different skill set, one based on speed and agility. When reflecting on the group’s early obstacles, captain Sage Lax ’27 explained how “the first season overall definitely had its obstacles; none of the girls had ever played flag football before, so it was a really good learning experience.” These internal challenges were exacerbated  by the difficulty of competing against established programs. Having played with each other before, the opposing programs had already created team chemistry and developed strategy, leading to further struggles for LM. 

Despite the challenges in their first season, the group’s persistence allowed for standout moments and unforgettable milestones. One of the most magical moments for a team is witnessing growth, and for girls’ flag football that moment occurred when Amelia Krivitzky ’27 scored the first touchdown versus Upper Merion High School via an interception.

Captain Sofia Schneider ’26 explained how this moment contributed to “building a strong foundation for our team, which helped us a lot this year.” However, perhaps the most standout moment was when founder and then captain Francesca Schneider ’25 won the Mini Maxwell award. This honor celebrates elite high school seniors from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware that demonstrate academic, community, and athletic leadership. The milestone was crucial as it showed the athletes the talent they possess and the goals they can accomplish in the future. Such energy helped create a tight-knit program where players learn from each other while still encouraging one another to improve.

Building on lessons learned in their first year, the girls’ flag football team utilized the offseason to improve. With the addition of coaches Jaylen Glasglow and Phillip Lim,  the program was able to further develop their offensive and defensive strategies. Schneider shares how the group “put in some work during the offseason,” allowing them to further develop their skills and adopt a more competitive style of playing. This, combined with new players and experience, has set the stage for a promising second season.

The LM girls’ flag football team hit the ground running, starting off 2-0. Lax explains that while they have lost games, they “are still stronger and…trust each other more than last year.” Perhaps one of the most important parts of sports, trust is the glue that holds a team together; it drives peak performances, enhances communication, and inspires resilience. Trust allows for improved understanding of the game and quicker responses to mistakes. Schneider mentions how trust has facilitated “understanding the game better and…[being] more disciplined.” The group is proud of the improvement that they have shown and ready to develop as a unit even more as the season progresses.

The progress seen this season is rooted in the team’s identity and the values that it represents. After a difficult first season, the group developed a resilient foundation built on communication, accountability, and willingness to learn. This dedication has created a safe environment where athletes are pushed to improve while still enjoying the sport. 

Looking ahead, the team is eager to continue improving and build on their successes. Schneider and Lax shared how the team’s goal is to make the playoffs, have fun, and continue to bring attention to the team and “help grow this amazing upcoming sport for girls.”