Fans roared with thundering approval when just minutes into the second half, the quarterback, number 19, threw a perfect 16-yard spiral into the hands of the receiver, number 13, who was sprinting in a diagonal cross pattern. The play would gain the offense a first down, setting up number 2 a few plays later to score Northgate’s second touchdown after which the crowd roared again on a chilly fall evening.

This was not Friday night lights – it was Wednesday night lights.

The play-makers were sophomore quarterback Donatella Borvice (19), senior receiver Piper Steintjes (13), and junior receiver Sadie Hansell (2) – and 15 other girls who played for the inaugural season of girls flag football.

Girls flag football was introduced to Northgate sports and not only survived but thrived as the team finished the season in  tie for first place in the Diablo Athletic League. The team performed better than anyone could have imagined, as Coach Lauren Lahey led the team to a record of 10-4 overall and 8-1 in league. 

Lahey, a teacher of PE and psychology, was the coach for the team during the 2023 season. Lahey stated that she had previously played in some adult leagues, and quickly fell in love with the sport. When she heard that there was an opportunity to coach flag football at Northgate, she expressed her interest, and jumped at the chance to be the first ever Northgate flag football coach.

“My goal for the girls and for themselves is to try and win the league because that’s definitely a big accomplishment,” disclosed Lahey about halfway through the season. The team finished second in league, an incredible feat with it being the first year of having the sport at Northgate.

Players on the team ranged from freshman to seniors, and leading the team were captains Sadie Hansell and Piper Stjientes. Hansel is a multisport athlete, competing in soccer, softball, flag football, and even regular football during her freshman and sophomore years. She stated, “I think it went really well. We were one of the best teams in the league, if not the best team. It was fun to be given the opportunity. We were a team right from the start.”

Stientjes, too, is a multisport athlete, also playing for varsity Northgate lacrosse. The pair led the team throughout the season, encouraging and supporting their teammates and the coaching staff.

Junior Brooklyn Smith, also a multi-sport athlete with past experience in soccer and softball, called the first year a success. “It was a great experience to be here for the first year,” Smith said. “Ms. Lahey is an excellent coach. She knows the sport and even more, she knows how to relate to the players.”

Flag football being offered as a sport in high school really is a concept that we as a society must pause to fully take in. Fifty years ago, sports weren’t even offered in high school and college to women. With Title IX, a new era was born, giving females the opportunity to become athletes. Even today, there is a gender pay gap, especially in regards to sports, but flag football becoming an official NCS sport is still a step towards a better future.

Lahey, who had help from assistant coach Allie Zachary, also described how important this new addition was to female athletes.

“Growing up we didn’t have an opportunity to play football, even though my assistant coach and I loved and watched it, girls just didn’t really play football,” she said.

“The fact now that girls have an opportunity to play is really revolutionary and I try to remind them that this is an opportunity that generations of women before you didn’t get, so take this moment, run with it, and make it happen.”

The other athletes in this inaugural team were seniors Isis Bryant, Gracia Guerrero, Audrey Kirkhart, Nyomi Mejia, and Katelyn Takahashi; juniors Danica Heine, Sara Lavay, and Naomi Martin; sophomores Stella Hanko, Minna Hill, Nadia Hill, Joylyn Jayko, and Brooklyn Smith; freshmen Sophie Hanko, and Symone Jewell.

Summer training for the 2024 season will start practices in July, with tryouts beginning Aug. 12.  More information is available at https://www.northgatebroncos.org/athlete-registration.