The 2024 flag football season is off to a great start for the swarming Hornets as they remain undefeated and unscored upon. Girls flag football debuted in Montgomery County this season, as they became the fourth county in the state to add the sport. Funded and promoted by the Baltimore Ravens, Frederick County was the first to offer flag football to its female athletes in the 2023-2024 season. The following season, the Ravens expanded their promotion for the sport to three other counties: Baltimore County, Washington County, and Montgomery County. This branch of football gives girls the opportunity to participate in one of America’s favorite sports, and in Montgomery County’s case, it gives Damascus the opportunity to excel.
The Damascus team remains the only one in the state to stay unscored upon. The key to this outstanding performance, according to players and coaches alike, is its impenetrable defense. Megan Antonishek, a senior on the team, said,
“The defense has to be there and the
offense will come naturally.” The statistics prove this, as they’ve outscored opponents 157-0 this season. On the offensive side, some of the team’s leading players include freshman quarterback Peyton Wallace, who has thrown for nearly 700 yards, and senior wide receiver Josie Hoffacker, who’s run for over 300 yards. However, a large part of this success has to be credited to Coach Jeremiah Spoales, who was featured on NBC News as Ravens Coach of the Week in late September. When asked about his tactics for preparing the team for each new opponent they face, he shared that his players are working on and off the field, through daily practice, constantly watching film, and lots of bonding activities to maintain a “
well-balanced team.”
The obvious goal for this team for the remainder of the season is to stay unscored upon and win the title of division champions. However, as the only team in the state to be unscored upon, and one of two undefeated teams in the county, the pressure to maintain this high level of performance is high, though not every player feels it. When asked about the pressure to keep this spotless record, Hoffacker said, “I don’t know. I just play.” With encouragement from the coaches and a good team dynamic, the players can put aside the pressure and just have fun on the field. With flag football being a new sport, mistakes come naturally. But, Antonishek believes that with the uplifting spirit of the team, athletes are given grace for their mistakes and encouraged constantly throughout the game.
With an attitude and a level of performance like this, the players and coaches are hopeful to advance all the way to the State title. As Coach Spoales said, “Defense wins championships.” With the Hornets’ record-breaking defense, don’t be surprised if you see the team playing in M&T Bank Stadium later this year.
