Raiders win inaugural flag championship
The Holy Cross Raiders girls flag football team capped an unbeaten Niagara Catholic Athletic Association season Tuesday at Denis Morris by defeating the Saint Paul Patriots 18-9 in the championship game.
The Raiders went 7-0 in regular season action and then advanced to the final with a 12-0 victory over Saint Michael Team Two in the semifinals.
“It feels great. I am really happy for the girls. They played hard all season long,” Holy Cross head coach Erin Gauthier said. “It was important for them to come out, learn the game, be able to run routes properly and I think they did a good job.”
Holy Cross was the best defensive team in the regular season and that carried over to the semifinals and final.
“Our offence was hit and miss every once in awhile but they didn’t let it get them down. They hung in there and they made some big stops on defence allowing our offence to find itself.”
It was an excellent season by an excellent team.
“Everyone showed up to pretty much every game, everyone has their role on the team and was OK with their role,” Gauthier said. “Everybody had an opportunity to go out and perform their role and that is what made us successful. We are team players at Holy Cross and everyone is happy to be part of the squad and whether we win or lose, we stick together.”
Starring in the championship game for the Raiders was Grace Vani, who had three interceptions, including a pick, and also threw a TD pass.
“Grace was a really pleasant surprise on Day 1 of tryouts. She has only one year under her belt and as you could see here today, you would never guess that she has only played one season,” Gauthier said. “She is a gifted athlete and she’s a natural. She throws the ball well at quarterback and I can put her down as a receiver. She is very confident as a young player and we are looking forward to coaching her in future seasons.”
The Grade 9 player developed her flag football prowess through one season of house league action and playing in the backyard with her father, Anthony.
“I signed up for house league, loved it a lot and decided to try out for this team,” the 13-year-old said.
Vani enjoyed being able to help her team win a championship.
“It’s pretty cool to be able to be a part of it. I got a lot of touchdowns and I was happy to be able to help the team,” she said.
She felt the team was successful for two reasons.
“It was the teamwork and the positive attitude.”
Vani has been doing double duty this fall playing basketball and flag football for Holy Cross. It’s not easy.
“It’s having my parents being able to drive me and keeping up with my schoolwork helps too.”
The St. Catharines Rebels basketball player enjoys basketball and flag football.
“I like them both but basketball definitely has my heart a little bit more.”
On the basketball court, Vani has shown fearlessness driving to the net against much bigger opponents.
“My dad is always telling me to drive to the net and to just go, get fouled and get the free throws.”
And if she gets knocked to the floor, well that is no big deal.
“I don’t mind. Pain is temporary. Right?”
Saint Paul went 6-1 in the regular season and advanced to the final with a 40-33 victory versus the Saint Francis Phoenix in the semifinals. The Patriots only two losses in Niagara Catholic play came at the hands of Holy Cross.
“It was our first season with me coaching and being new to the sport but we had a very successful season,” Saint Paul head coach Emma Hendrie said. “We had a great team and everyone was eager to learn a new sport. We were lucky enough to have some travel players who were able to lead the team and teach the sport to new and upcoming players. It’s a great sport and it was cool to see them take leadership and show these new players the ropes.”
She is excited for what next season will bring.
“We have lots of room to grow. We have a fairly young team so that is great too. I am looking forward to Friday when we have our OFSAA (Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations) regional tournament.”
Convenor (and DM coach) Erin Clark was pleased with the inaugural season.
“I am thrilled. It has been wonderful to see so many girls getting a chance to be out here on the field and so many supportive people,” she said. “The first week we were out here the stands were absolutely filled and it has been like that every week where we’ve got fans in the stands, kids coming from other schools to watch and public school kids walking over and asking when can we play?”
It took many people to make the league a success.
“Jen Benoit from Niagara Catholic has been instrumental in making this happen as well as all of these coaches who have been willing to give up their time and try something new. It’s coaches who have never played the sport before and maybe haven’t even seen it being played and were willing to get involved,” Clark said. “I just can’t say enough good things about it.”
Niagara Catholic is hoping to have a boys league in the spring and junior and senior girls divisions next fall.
Capping the season will be the 12-team OFSAA regional this Friday at Youngs Sportsplex in Welland. All the Niagara Catholic teams will be competing as well as three teams from the District School Board of Niagara and a squad from Orchard Park. The tournament has been granted OFSAA regional festival status.
“It is the first step on the road to becoming an OFSAA sport. I am talking people from across the province that are running flag in their school board,” Clark said.
STATS PACK
Raiders 18 Patriots 9
Cat’s Caboose Player of the Game: Holy Cross’ Grace Vani with three interceptions, including a Pick 6.
For the Holy Cross Raiders: Vani, three interceptions and Pick 6; TD pass from Vani to Gracie Cherney; TD pass from Kaleigh Tiller to Chelsea Tiller; four sacks by Mia McAdam.
For the Saint Paul Patriots: TD pass from Charlotte Clark to Aria Abbruscato; convert on pass from Clark to Emily Ganski; Shylah Powell, interception and many flags.
