It’s simply not enough for the Lady Eagles flag football program to win games, they need to dominate them.
Sitting at 3-0 on the season after picking up a pair of nonconference victories this past week, the Lady Eagles have manhandled their opponents 119-6. Still head coach Chris Morelli sees a few areas where the girls can clean up their play.
“Defensively, we have done a good job but we still have some things to fix,” Morelli said. “Having four nonconference games to start the season gives us time to fine-tune our defense so we will be hitting on all cylinders.”
If allowing only six points, while forcing five interceptions on defense in their first three games isn’t fine-tuned enough, the rest of the county should be on notice that the defending champs are out to be better than ever.
Soundly defeating Mojave 28-6 last Thursday and Sierra Vista 49-0 on Monday in their home opener, the Lady Eagles, behind star quarterback senior Jeanne Carmell, have been unstoppable.
Against the Rattlers, Carmell led the Lady Eagles in passing and rushing with 314 passing yards and a pair of scores on 20-of-32 passing, while rushing for 67 yards and another pair of scores on just six rushing attempts.
Against the Mountain Lions, Carmell continued her hot start, completing 18 of 23 passes for 286 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for another 68 on five carries. Carmell has thrown 80 pass attempts this season without an interception.
“I’ve said for the last three years that I’ve been spoiled to have her leading this team,” Morelli said. “Jeanne’s ability to run, throw and play defense full time makes her one off the best players in the state. She is without a doubt the top quarterback.”
Helping lead the Lady Eagles balanced offensive attack are senior running back Paige Buettner and senior receiver Oshanna Remy.
A one-two punch combination, the duo can beat opponents in a variety of ways, using their speed as a catalyst for separation.
Against the Rattlers, Buettner was limited to only 8 yards on four carries, but made up for her rushing woes with a key 35-yard reception that set up one of the Lady Eagles’ scoring drives. Remy found just about as much success on the ground, rushing for only 13 yards on three attempts, but made electrifying plays through the air, hauling in six passes for 125 yards.
Against the Mountain Lions, the explosive offensive trend would continue for the seniors, with Buettner garnering 61 yards on the ground and a score on five rushing attempts and 71 receiving yards and a score on a pair of catches, while Remy added 23 rushing yards on two carries and a game-high six catches for 85 yards and a score.
The usual suspects in the Lady Eagles’ high-flying passing attack made contributions over the past two games as well, with senior Makenzy Waldo hauling in six catches for 44 yards and junior Kenadee Bailey making three catches for 28 yards and a touchdown, while a pair of first-year contributors have made the most of their opportunities.
Senior Tarah Cox has been a great addition so far at the receiver position, catching four passes for 54 yards against Mojave and another two for 62 yards and a score against Sierra Vista, while junior Aimee Finn broke out for a big game against Mojave, leading all receivers with a game-high seven catches for 84 yards and a score.
On defense, the Lady Eagles, which their head coach admits is improving each week, have been just as dominant.
Buettner and senior Emma Jeppsen led the girls in tackles both weeks at the linebacker positions, tallying five and four apiece, respectively, against the Rattlers and Mountain Lions, while Carmell, who doubles as a defensive back, garnered four and two tackles apiece in both games.
Leading the Lady Eagles’ interception parade, Bailey grabbed her second of the season on Dec. 3, while Cox and Carmell also intercepted Mojave quarterback Jazmine Oseguera. Remy also came down with her first takeaway of the season, grabbing one in the Sierra Vista game.
Making strides with each passing game, the Lady Eagles will look to continuing their fine-tuning Friday when they host Southeast Career Technical Academy for the first conference game of the season.
Contact Robert Vendettoli at BCRsports@gmail.com.
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Upcoming Games
Friday, at Southeast Career and Technical Academy, 4:30 p.m., junior varsity; 6 p.m., varsity
Tuesday, vs. Moapa, 4:30 p.m., junior varsity; 6 p.m., varsity