OHS girls flag football is coming off of a losing season, but after a new coach and a new culture they are looking forward to this season. The new coaches have worked to shift the culture of the program and hopefully lead the team to success.
With this being girl’s flag football’s second year at OHS, the players are looking to improve from last year and continue to make a name for themselves. They have grown from last year due to focusing on being a family and welcoming in new players.
“We have really good team chemistry. One thing that our coach is big on is [being a] family,” said Becky Currence, junior.
This year OHS welcomed in a new coach for flag football and he has been trying to reinstill a culture within the team, and build a solid structure.
“I had to build a foundation and they’re buying into it because there’s a light at the end of the tunnel,” said Robert Latona, head coach.
The girls haven’t just been working hard off the field but also on the field, during the school year and even during summer.
“We were here every morning at nine am…four days a week during summer,” Latona said.
While the season hasn’t started yet, the team is already looking to improve their record from last season.
“We want to get farther than last year…we just want to make a reputation for ourselves,” Currence said.
With many new players joining the program this year, the veterans have taken them under their wing and have helped them learn the system.
“[The returning players] have asked questions [for the new players] to make sure no one is afraid to get out there…and try new things,” said Kylie Pruitt, sophomore.
With Coach Latona having an impressive track record and a lot of experience, he understands the differences between girls and boys flag football.
“I will tell you the girls work as hard if not harder than some of the boys,” Latona said.
While the team hopes to have success during the season, their core focus is on becoming a family.
“I think we’re going to win a lot of games. I think we’re going to be really close by the end of the season and it’s going to be like a family,” Pruitt said.
Everyone on the team has the same goal and that’s to make it to the state championship and hopefully win it all.
“[Our goal] is to get into the state title competition and eventually win the thing,” Latona said.
The girls have also mentioned that while they are being disciplined and held accountable for their actions, they also can be relaxed and comfortable with each other.
“Everybody has a ton of fun while developing and learning a lot of new skills,” Pruitt said.
The coaches all praised the girls about how hard their work ethic has been and how they’ve been grinding to get prepared for the season.
“I found out real quick that once they bought in, [the players] give [it] everything they got no matter what,” Latona said.
