MS Flag Football Gets Underway

There’s a new sport on campus this fall and 21 middle schoolers are taking to it with energy and enthusiasm. They’re getting a taste of the in’s and out’s of the game of interscholastic football with the addition of the newest sports option – flag football.

Growing in popularity across the country, especially in colleges, flag football is different from American football in that the defensive team must remove a flag or flag belt from the ball carrier to end a down instead of making a tackle to stop the play.

Director of Athletics Ray Lacen, who has taken the reins as head coach, is enjoying the opportunity to work with middle school athletes and teach them how to play a sport that involves action that is almost non-stop.

“I had been looking for an opportunity to introduce a new sport in the Middle School and flag football was a perfect fit as there are a few schools in the Fairchester Athletic Association MS League that also play and we were able to create a schedule grid for a 2022 flag football season,” Mr. Lacen explained. “I’m looking forward to seeing them come together as a team as the season progresses,” he added..

The flag football squad started practicing indoors during slot 2 to start the season. They play outdoors on good weather days. The team will play an eight-game schedule which kicked off Tuesday, Sept 20.

In their first game, Sept. 20 the middle school flag football team made Harvey history in participating in the first ever FAA middle school flag football game at home against Wooster. Before the first snap the two teams met at midfield to acknowledge the historical moment. The game was close throughout with Wooster finishing as the victor in an exciting 18-12 contest.

The Cavaliers scored early in the first half when eighth grader Jordan Sheppe returned an interception 35 yards for six points. Wooster answered with two quick scores of their own before halftime, making it 12-6.

Wooster scored quickly in the second half to extend their lead to 18-6. Later in the second half, the Cavaliers answered when seventh grader Markus Jones caught a pass from eighth grader Graham Casey and took it up the right sideline all the way to the house for six points. The touchdown brought the Cavaliers to within one score of tying the game. Time expired, however, as the Cavaliers were preparing to defend on a fourth down and long, deep in Wooster territory.

“I was extremely proud of the boys, not only in how they played, but in how they carried themselves as young men,” Coach Lacen said. ”Many of those participating were doing so for the very first time, but they did great. As I told the boys, we will make mistakes, but the mistakes will be used to make us better.”

The team will play again Monday, October 3 on the road at Wooster.