By Rick Assad
Two local schools that play flag football and both are doing well and also having fun at the same time.
Burroughs High is in its second season of competition, and Providence will field its third team playing the wildly popular sport.
You could say, with tongue in cheek, that it’s becoming old hat for both schools.
A season ago, the Bears went 11-13 and barely missed the CIF Southern Section playoffs.
There are 18 players for Burroughs, and a baker’s dozen are seniors which is always nice because of leadership and confidence they bring to the field.
Longtime football coach and Athletic Director Keith Knoop is the flag football coach.
“We have a lot of solid returners who gained valuable experience last season,” he said. “This year we are in the [Arroyo League of the Rio-Pacific Conference] and our goal is to win it and continue deep into the playoffs.”
They seniors includes Chloe Zavala at quarterback and free safety, Ciara Vasquez-Amado at running back, wide receiver and defensive back, Geneva Kiefer at wide receiver and defensive back, Isabella Estrada at wide receiver and defensive back, Jasmin Varela, Kathy Larios-Ortiz at wide receiver and defensive back, Krystal Villalta at wide receiver and defensive back.
The rest of the upperclassmen are Lillian Graham at wide receiver and linebacker, Lily Indefenzo at wide receiver, defensive back and punter, Mille Escobedo at wide receiver and linebacker, R’ae Boulanger at center and linebacker, Rubi Morales at running back and linebacker and Sabrina Coto at quarterback and linebacker.
Two juniors are on the team and they are Kayla Duran at running back and returner and Kelsey Vivas at wide receiver and linebacker.
There are two sophomores on the squad, and they are Ashlee Solores at quarterback, linebacker and punter and Jasmin Chamchuen and one freshman Sophia Jimenez.
Knoop, who is also the Physical Education Department Chairman and a Physical Education teacher, is grateful for the opportunity to coach these talented and skilled and determined young ladies.
“I get to coach some of the best athletes in the school,” he said. “They are high academic achievers and are flat out fun people to be around.”
Burroughs will play league games against Temple City, Gabrielino, South Pasadena, La Canada, San Marino and Monrovia.
The Bears have 15 games scheduled and they are at Castaic on August 13, at Saugus on August 20, at home versus Hart on August 25 versus Temple City on August 26 and at Gabrielino on August 31.
The Bears host South Pasadena on September 9, host La Canada on September 14, at San Marino on September 16, at Monrovia on September 21, at Temple City on September 23 and host Gabrielino on September 28.
On October 5, Burroughs will play at South Pasadena, at La Canada on October 7, host San Marino on October 12 and versus Monrovia on October 14.
The Pioneers went 3-9 in all games last season under Ana Coronado but there is a new head coach, Andrew Larres, leading the program.
“My goals are to provide structure, consistency and fun. I love the sport and want that love to be infectious,” he said. “We have multi-sport athletes that will need to play both sides due to a lack of depth, but I expect us to always be competitive because the girls have shown me no lack of effort since I’ve taken over the program.”
Providence has 14 players on the team and includes two seniors Lola Middleton and Paige Fairweather. There are six juniors and they are Isabella Avalos, Sofia Carrillo, Shruthi Castro, Leah Nieto, Samantha Oldenquist and Vivienne Stephenson.
Four sophomores are on the squad, and they are Rebecca Connery, Brooklyn Freed, Kayla Salazar and Katy Tindle. Two freshmen are also on the team, and they are Juana Luque Young and Millie Hansen.
