The Girls Flag Football team has officially become a primary sport following a year as a pilot program. The new MCPS rule means athletes must now choose between flag football and other varsity sports. This change has affected all 25 MCPS high schools after a county-wide successful flag football campaign.

The rule implementation had an impact on the PHS team, who struggled with player turnout. Last year, 12 of the 23 players rostered on the flag football team were dual sport athletes-. Only 3 of these athletes returned to play flag football including senior captain Livi Sordo, who was forced to choose between playing soccer and flag football this season.

In response to the new circumstances, Sordo chose flag football over soccer to finish up her senior year. “It was a difficult decision to make.Instead [of playing two sports], this year I was able to focus more attention on one thing at once rather than splitting my time,” said Sordo.

As for the other members of the team, there were mixed decisions, with many opting to leave the team for another. Although the change has affected our team, they are very hopeful about the future. 

“We had a lot of new players step on the field,” Sordo said. “I hope to see more girls try out, and hopefully grow to have enough players to develop a JV team as well.” 

Although the new policy had an effect on the roster. The flag football team still had successes. They just completed their season following a very close playoff loss to Clear Spring in the Region Quarterfinal, 6-7. The team ended with a 2-8 record this year. Although the change has affected the team, they are very hopeful about the future.

“We had a lot of new players step on the field,” Sordo noted. “I hope to see more girls try out, and hopefully grow to have enough players to develop a JV team as well.”