JUNIOR QB Sara Suni eludes senior Giuliana Ligor in the annual girls’ flag football game that pits seniors versus juniors. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

 


By EVA HANEGRAAFF

NORTH READING — Every year, around Thanksgiving, a brutal and competitive football game is played out. To the victor go all the spoils of bragging rights and honor, making it the biggest day of the year for the participants. Contrary to what one may initially believe, this is not referring to the Thanksgiving Day football game against Lynnfield, but instead the Girls’ Flag Football Game that occurs two days prior.

In this long held tradition, junior and senior girls practice for months in anticipation for an important contest between the classes.  There was a lot on the line for the two classes, as a crowd of fans was almost guaranteed to be there watching the matchup.

Both teams spent countless hours preparing for this important day, however their methods of doing so differed. “I felt good going into the game, especially since this is our second year, so we had the previous year of training,” senior captain Macy Kurchian explained. Captain Vanessa Steinmeyer went on to explain the coaching staff and the immense support she felt from all three senior coaches going into the game. The senior coaches this year were Jeffrey Lane, Evan Noce, and Shellie Kerrigan, all teachers at the high school.

For the juniors, captain Sara Suni admitted, “We just didn’t have the experience of game situation.”  For the juniors, the coaches were Matthew DiVecchia, Andrew Falanga, and Jonathan Hudson, who all work at the high school as well. When asked about these coaches, Suni explained, “Mr. DiVecchia was very serious during the practices. You could tell he wanted to win.”

 

CLINCHED! The Class of 2025 celebrates their 7-0 victory over the junior class in the annual pre-Thanksgiving girls’ flag football game. The seniors maintained a perfect 2-0 record, having defeated the Class fo 2024 last year. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

On the day of the event, the seniors arrived early in black, playing music and putting on eye black in the locker room to prepare for the main event. The juniors began showing up a little later in pink, applying their own eye black and warming up on the track while the seniors took the field.

The high school football team came to support as well, commentating and marking the yards during the game, adding to the support the players felt from the school community.

When the game eventually started, you could tell it was going to be a close one. The seniors started strong with their running plays, with Julia Scammon scoring a touchdown early on in the game.  Belle Lazure, gained an extra point for the team kicking a field goal.

 

THE EXTRA point by Belle Lazure was good, giving the seniors a 7-0 lead over the juniors. (Eric Evans Photo)

 

From then on, the junior defense upped their intensity, holding the seniors from being able to score any more points.  When the juniors took the offensive, the senior defense was able to keep them from scoring with tactful flag pulling, however Suni was able to carry out powerful running plays for the team.

The game ended with a score of 7-0 for the seniors, however this was not the end for the junior class in their flag football careers. Captain Addy Steele explains their plan for next year’s season. “We are going to bring our all to every practice and every game because, after we lost this year, we know the importance of winning next year,” she said. Alison Lanciani added, “We can take the experience we have this year in the actual game and bring it to the game next year.”

While competitive on the field, the seniors still wish all the best of luck to the juniors in their game next year, truly demonstrating how the competition at NRHS does not come at the cost of the camaraderie and unity that is ever present.

NRHS senior Eva Hanegraaff is a student intern at the Transcript for the 2024-25 school year. She wants to use her internship to learn about the field of journalism and bring a high school voice to the Transcript. Contact her at evahanegraaff@gmail.com with any article ideas or tips.

 

ANTICIPATION! The junior class takes to the field at the start of the annual showdown in the girls’ flag football game. After a narrow 7-0 loss to the senior class, they vow to avenge their loss next year. (Eric Evans Photo)