SPORTS
“We knew it going in [last year] that we were going to be a little behind in the game,” he admitted. “Schools that had club football had been doing it for years, but we appreciate being able to play them. How else are you going to get better? We’re still a little bit behind, but I’ve talked to my coaches, and we’ll take a lot of the stuff we learned last year to help take our team to the next level.” Miller said he was pleasantly surprised to see more than 50 players at tryouts for the inaugural season. Nearly 40 finished the season and he doesn’t expect any drop-off in year No. 2 with new players including roster additions migrating from other sports. Six seniors on offense graduated and the roster looks to inject a heavy dose of juniors and sophomores. It’s what Miller saw from those players that has him excited. “They were really playing like a team, cheering each other on,” he said, adding there was mutual respect shown with each opponent. “There was a real camaraderie, an understanding of what it takes to get here.” “Speed is absolutely one of the most dominant characteristics,” Miller said, noting success comes “if you have three or four flat-
out fast players and someone who can get them the ball.” As with other team sports, there are many lessons to be learned. “Teamwork, coming back from failure, how to handle success, how to function well in a complex system,” Miller cited. “The sport is absolutely going to explode. With more and more exposure, more girls will be drawn to it. It’s a ball to play.” Desert Sunrise seeks success Jessica Shappie, an academic counselor at Desert Wind Middle School, coached that level two years ago before helping launch the Desert Sunrise program in 2023. This new academic year is just the third for the school, which opened in 2022. The sport is absolutely going to explode. With more and more exposure, more girls will be drawn to it. It’s a ball to play.” HEAD COACH TYLER MILLER
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Jade Hernandez targets her receiver at a Maricopa High School flag football tryout Aug. 12.
“I loved having the opportunity to start the program from the beginning,” Shappie said. “It was difficult being thrown into the position and not having a ton of interest [due to the sport being new]. I really enjoy coaching, teaching them something new and developing their personalities.” The Golden Hawks also played a loaded schedule, competing against schools with a year or more of flag football experience and often playing multiple games in a week. “This year, we should be more competitive,” the coach commented. “The girls really communicated effectively, and they’re learning things they will take with them outside of sports. There is quite significant growth in the sport.” The first of 13 games on the schedule for Desert Sunrise is Sept. 19 at Vista Grande. Maricopa is scheduled to open five days later at home against the same opponent. Ready to explode Byerly, the former softball coach, recalled writing letters of recommendation for two girls who earned softball scholarships to North Dakota State University. Increased media attention is going to make similar opportunities available for flag players, he predicted. “It’s not like tackle football. The game is speed, then some more speed,” Byerly stated. “The press is starting to change. There are going to be scholarships and once it hits the Olympics, there is going to be another burst.”
Head Coach Tyler Miller evaluates the talent.
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InMaricopa.com | September 2024
September 2024 | InMaricopa.com
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