The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagles won their seventh flag football game 48-0 against the Cooper City Cowboys on Tuesday, Mar. 12. The game was held at Cumber Stadium at 5 p.m.
The Eagles won the coin toss, declaring they were deferring for the ball during the second half. During the first play of the game, defensive back and wide receiver Caitlin Taylor (3) intercepted the ball resulting in the Eagles’ possession of the ball on offense.
“I feel proud and also confident that I am on the varsity team as a freshman because I know whatever comes my way, whether it’s a ball thrown to me, flag pulling or intercepting the ball, I trained for every second of it,” Taylor said. “I realized that I can do it and there’s no need to doubt myself. I feel accomplished whenever I make a good play, and I tell myself to do it again because making one good play isn’t enough.”
At the 40-yard marker on the second down, quarterback Samantha Calavetta (8) threw the ball to receiver Audrey Haltiwanger (9). This play allowed for wide receiver Courtney Heymach (11) to score a 20-yard touchdown, resulting in a 6-0 lead.
The Eagles’ second defensive drive ended with defensive back and wide receiver Sophia Dal Molin (14) preventing the Cowboys from getting a first down by pulling the ball carrier’s flag. In the next play, linebacker Daria Boykin (15) intercepted the ball for a pick six, allowing the Eagles to be up 12-0.
“When I get a pick six on the field, I feel unstoppable and the other team doesn’t even see it coming,” Boykin said. “They don’t know what I can do on the field, but then I get to show them how determined I am to play flag football, and it really hypes me up.”
The second quarter began with another pick six by Boykin from the 40-yard line. Dal Molin completed the extra point attempt, changing the score to 19-0. In the next play, Dal Molin received the punt return and brought the ball 20 yards away from the goal line.
“It feels good being able to guide my teammates towards success and making many contributions to the team,” Dal Molin said. “On the field, I think about the trust I have in my teammates to mark their players when against good opponents.”
The next play went to Haltiwanger, who caught the ball in the endzone for a touchdown and an extra point.
Halfway through the third quarter, Taylor caught a pass from Calavetta in the endzone. In the first play on the next defensive series, rusher Jordan Tessler (5) sacked the Cowboys quarterback, which led to the Eagles getting the ball on offense. During the next play, Heymach scored another touchdown.
With a minute and 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, wide receiver Savannah Tenore (20) ran the ball 10 yards away from the endzone. In the last play of the game, quarterback Alina Caravello (10) threw a touchdown to center Ava Kelleher (13).
The Eagles’ next game is against Monarch High School on Thursday, Mar. 20 at 4 p.m.
