Coaches: Troy Nelson (head coach), Chablis Bates (assistant coach, JV head coach), Dylan Kuhn (assistant coach)
Top Returners: Solaio Arredondo (10), Julia Cabrera (11), Annalise Glynn (11), Elly Sweeney (12)
Top Newcomers: Madelyn Sooter (11), Sophia Takaki (12), Kaia Tindukasiri (12)
Last Season: Competing in their first year as an official sport at Sunny Hills, the Lady Lancers took the field and secured four wins, ending the season with a North Hills league score of 0-8 and an overall score of 4-14. They did not advance to the CIF-SS playoffs.
Outlook: The head coach said he hopes to win more games and earn a chance to participate in higher-level competition this season.
“I want to see [the players] make big strides in growth, and I would love for us to make CIF,” Nelson said. “Now we know what we’re doing; the girls have a much better understanding of what’s going on, and they have more experience under them.”
He said he structured the practices, game plans and schedules accordingly to reflect better competition for what the team needs and where they stand.
Stepping into the role previously held by head coach Dylan Kuhn, Nelson takes the reins as the leader of the team this year.
“It’s an interesting transition, and I love the position that I’m in,” he said. “Being able to make the decisions and have more say in things helps me understand the direction that we’re going to go in and guide it that way.”
Co-captain and quarterback Arredondo also reflects on her growth since last season and her goals for this year.
“Going into this season, I feel excited and confident to grow, learn, make memories and win,” she said. “Although it is only my second year playing flag football, I have definitely grown since last year, and I’m excited to showcase my abilities as a younger quarterback on varsity.”
Placed in the same league, the players will face returning opponents from Canyon High School (8-0), as well as two new competitors from Aliso Niguel High School (8-0) and Troy High School (4-0).
Nelson said the team struggled with the novelty of the game last year, but he is confident that the girls this season are better equipped to compete against tougher teams.
“Learning to play flag football for two years now has really helped us,” he said. “[The players] are a lot more comfortable and know what they’re supposed to do; the returners have this edge about them of understanding what the standard is and meeting that standard.”
The head coach said consistently matching up against good schools and maintaining communication on the field will prepare his girls to face any competition that the league offers.
“Iron sharpens iron,” Nelson said. “We have really good team chemistry, and [the players] constantly push each other to be better.”
Offense and defense co-captain Glynn said the Lady Lancers practice diligently by the baseball field during sixth period on days they are not competing.
“We all work hard and strive to be 1% better every day,” she said. “We work on running routes, defensive flag pulling, agility and going through game-like situations to prepare us for games.”
Defensive corner Takaki said she enjoys the team-bonding aspect of practices.
“Flag practices are different from any other practice,” she said. “We have a lot of fun that fosters a close-knit team, but we also focus on our drills to improve our play.”
The Lady Lancers currently hold a record of 5-5 in the preseason, scoring big wins against schools like Troy (25-14) and La Mirada High School (26-0). Nelson said he will maintain a composed mindset to bring home more victories.
“We are continuing to practice as normal and make sure that we are prepared for whoever [the opposing team] is, and try not to put too much emphasis on that,” he said. “I think it will be fun.”
The team is scheduled to compete at Sunny Hills by the baseball field on Wednesday, Sept. 10, at 3:15 p.m. for their first league game against the Brea Olinda Wildcats (2-1).
