No powder puffs needed

If you watch a Boulder City girls flag football game this winter there is something the coach and his players would like you to know: This isn’t powder puff, it is real football.

“They are as aggressive and talented as the boys (who) play in the fall,” coach Chris Morelli said. “We have a lot of girls here with the talent to play the sport. People will be impressed with how hard the girls work at playing real football. This isn’t a powder puff league. We are looking ahead to a great season again.”

The Lady Eagles have been in intramural practices for several weeks and the first day of official practice is Monday.

A year ago, the Lady Eagles reeled off 20 consecutive wins and reached the Sunrise Region championship game where they lost to Green Valley. The following night Green Valley lost the county championship to Centennial.

“We were so close last year, only one game away from the county title game,” said safety Kinsey Smyth, who had 22 interceptions and was chosen to play in the all-star game. “We are fired up about playing this season. We think we can win the region championship and play for it all.”

Boulder City begins its third year of the sport with its first game Dec. 2 at home against Silverado. They play Dec. 3 on the road at Valley.

“This season is what I’ve been waiting for since our last game last season,” said Jeanne Carmell, one of the county’s top passers and linebackers. “The excitement not only from me but from everyone is amazing. We’re all extremely excited for this season. It’s a feeling that no one understands except us players.

“The loss from last season hurt us all. We wanted to continue to the championship game and losing was dreadful and atrocious. But that loss is going to strive us to our best. We will put all our effort in this season, last season is over with and this season is our main priority. Our goals this season are to make it to the playoffs, play our hearts out, and leave everything we have on the field with our opponents.”

Most of the players play several positions. Returning varsity players are seniors Logan Kanaley, Jane Nevarez, Smyth, Kenzie Pluta and Gabby Wylupski; juniors Paige Buettner, Carmell, Makenzy Waldo, Oshanna Remy; and sophomore Alexis Pohe.

“I am expecting the same dedication and fight these ladies showed last year,” Morelli said. “For anyone who has been to one our games they see this is talented team playing good football.”

Last May, the Southern Nevada Flag Football Association held the first all-star game, and the Sunrise League won the contest 26-22. It was represented by four Boulder City players: Kanaley, Nevarez, Smyth and Carmell. The Sunrise League was coached by Morelli, who was selected as the Sunrise League Coach of the Year. Nevarez was named MVP of the all-star game.

“We are looking for big things from some players this year who were part of our junior varsity program last year,” Morelli said. “Elizabeth Karol, Melissa O’Berto, Brook Reed and Vanessa Montes will complement the top players that we already have. It should be a great season.”

For the first time, Boulder City will have a freshman team.

“This will be the first year for our freshman team, we are excited to have three teams this year and encourage all to participate,” Morelli said. “The first official practice begins Monday at 2:40 p.m. at the school’s football field. We are hoping for a huge turnout from the freshman class.”

This season, junior varsity game begin at 3:30 p.m., followed by the varsity at 4:30 p.m. and the freshmen games at 6 p.m.