By Mike Zummo
Flag football was the newest spring sport in the state last year, and it will only grow in its second year in Section 9, as two area teams are looking to improve on their debut seasons.
The debut couldn’t have gone much better for the Pine Bush Bushmen as they compiled a 10-2 record in 2023. They were the second seed in the sectional tournament before seeing their season end in the Section 9 finals with a loss to the Warwick Wildcats.
This year will be different as the New York State Public High School Athletic Association will hold championships this season and has split schools into large- and small-school classifications.
But no matter the division they’re in, the Bushmen are going for the gold this season.
And why not? Everyone is back.
Returning are senior wide receivers/safeties Tia Fisher and Angela Hilgenfeldt, senior linebacker Kiersten Augustine, junior wide receiver/cornerback Christine Omosebi and eighth-grade center/safety Ella Cancelliere.
Seniors Kileigh Smykla and Tea Rausch, sophomore Shea Toback, and freshmen Alexcyz Brooks, Cailey Noviella, and Isabella Santiago.
Pine Bush coach Kyle Schneider said he expects the Bushmen to have a second straight competitive season and compete for the Section 9 Division I championship.
Last year’s run to the sectional title game left the Bushmen with high expectations for their second season.
“I hope for the girls to learn more about the great sport of football, compete every day and enjoy part of a team, and doing it the right way,” Schneider said. “We have 26 girls on the roster and some of our players competed at Nationals for NFA Flag at the Pro Bowl in Florida.”
The neighboring Valley Central Vikings also had a successful inaugural season, finishing 8-3, earning the fifth seed in the Section 9 playoffs. However, they were eliminated by No. 12 Washingtonville in the first round.
“We look to have a competitive season overall,” Valley Central coach Isaiah Wilson said. “As always, we want to go deep in the playoffs and make a run at states.”
Unlike the Bushmen, the Vikings have lost several key players in Bianca Ricciuto, Riley Schmidt, Grace Suchy, Mia Avallone and Hannah Darwin. However, returning players include Kelly Schmidt, Kayla Mainor, Sarah Mann, Gianna Vass and Sam Setteducato.
They will mix with newcomers Ella Brown, Julia Capicchioni, Jadriannie Rodriguez and Adeline Galante.
“I’m excited with the group that we have,” Wilson said. “Most of the girls have been playing various sports together so the ‘family’ aspect is already in place. The team knew from Day 1 what our focus is, and we are ready for it. It is a one day or day one mentality. We are athletic. We are hungry. We are ready.”