by: Lyla McIver

History is set to be made at Lee County High School Tuesday night when the newest team takes the field. Flag Football will host South Johnston High School and Southern Lee High School for the first contests in school history.

Flag football is a modified version of American football rules, and instead of tackling you pull a flag that’s attached to the players belt. After Tuesday’s games, the Yellow Jackets will play two additional games Wednesday night.

Making this team was a difficult task, with more than 50 girls at the initial interest meeting. There are 25 girls on the roster for Tuesday night’s season-opening contest.

“It actually feels pretty good, because you get to start, you get to be part of the first season,” said quarterback Charlie McCanless.

Head Coach Cherice Washington initially did not want to coach the team, but after some encouragement, finally agreed. “Nate Harrington, who used to be the co-AD here, came to me and said, ‘Miss Washington, we want to start up a flag football team. 
We think you’d be a great candidate for it.’,” Washington said no at first but after thinking it over she finally agreed. “He said, ‘listen, me and Coach {Reggie} Peace spoke and we feel like you would be a prime candidate to encourage girls to come and try out.’ And I thought about it and I said, as an educator, it’s bigger than me. So as much as I would love to have my afternoons to myself, if I can provide or help provide an opportunity for kids to be involved in extracurriculars after school, I can put aside my own discomfort for a little while.”

The team participated in a scrimmage, but it did not go in the Yellow Jackets’ favor, but McCanless, says in retrospect, “I think we can show them that we’ve gotten better, and even if we don’t win the game against them, we’re still good, and we’re a great team.”

This team has grown since the beginning. Washington started upping the conditioning drills with the team. The players were tasked to keep their bodies moving by running everywhere.

Washington realizes there is still a learning curve with a new team. “For flag football, we have so many consistent, inconsistent absences that we start a goal and then we have to revisit that goal again when girls return to practices. If we can improve on consistency and practices, I think we would be where we need to be as far as preparing for the season.” 

Washington isn’t worrying about the teams effort in games because she knows the girls will give their best. “The team is so excited at practices,” Washington said. “So I feel as though if you can still carry that same spirit into the game, I’ll be okay.”  

With all the nerves that come with being on a new team, LCHS has the grit to make a stand. “I go to the field and the girls are smiling. Even when I tell them, run me an extra lap, they’re like, ah, with a smile on their face, you know? 
They always have a way of making me laugh. I want to say team morale is what they are best at.”

The Yellow Jackets kick off their inaugural season at 5 p.m. Tuesday night.