With much anticipation, Girls’ flag football finally started as an official CIF sport this fall. With 17 players, including 14 freshmen, the team buzzes with fresh energy under the guidance of Head Coach Nick Peralta. However, as players of the newest sport in the Pacific Coast League, the players and coach face seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

The Lightning have a 6-8 season record after being routed by the Irvine Vaqueros at home on Oct. 2.

“This is the first year Sage Hill has ever had Girls’ Flag Football, so we are behind. We are behind every single team that is out there,” Peralta said. “Not only do [other teams] have more experience, they have a better understanding of the speed of the game. They have a better IQ of the game.”

Among the team’s highlights this season was when they trounced Laguna Beach at home 25-6 on Sept. 30. 

With the team’s initial promotion early this year, Sage Hill hosted events such as an all-school Girls’ Flag Football tournament and interest meetings with Peralta. A flag football summer camp also prepared the new girls’ team for the upcoming season. 

“There are three ways you can be competitive in Flag Football,” Peralta said. “Pillar number one athleticism, pillar number two communication, pillar number three organization.” 

He believes his team has control over their communication and organization. Every couple of weeks, the team comes together to watch a past game. They see and discuss wrong plays, miscommunications, and solutions to each point. With these two pillars, Peralta hopes that every game will be competitive. He believes that building consistency is the first step to achieving success.

The team’s biggest victory would be having all the players return next season, Peralta said. With 14 freshmen, two sophomores, and one junior, the team has no senior leadership. Still, Peralta sees it as the perfect opportunity for the team to grow and gain experience.

“The experience and the environment [are] more important this first year than records, awards, accolades,” Peralta said.

With the growing athletes, he hopes to one day “take over the Pacific Coast League.”

The next game is on the road against Rosary High School on Oct. 9.