PHOENIX — Student-athletes are standing in a circle stretching. Each player is smiling yet focused on what's ahead. A whistle blows, they run into a quick huddle and then onto the football field.
This may seem like the beginning of any football game. But on Saturday night at Mountain View High School in Mesa, history was about to be made.
This was the first year where high school sports included girl's flag football and Saturday night marked the first-ever State Championship in Arizona for the sport. In the 6A state playoffs, Mountain View faced off against Mountain Ridge High School. The final score was 10-7, Mountain View taking the win.
"These girls are competitors, they're relentless and they want to show young girls that they're capable of doing something big," Mountain View High School girl's flag football head coach Jesus Arzaga said.
The game was a nail-biter until the end. With each play, the athletes showed passion and dedication — they weren't giving up.
"This is awesome, it's what you work for," said Arzaga. "I feel these two teams are extremely special, we've both pulled up upsets. They've worked hard for this moment, We hope to see them again next year."
The girls on Mountain Ridge have a lot to be proud of, even if a win on Saturday wasn't in the cards. The team upset #2 Red Mountain High School in the semifinals to get to the State Championship.
"I think we rode the wave, we had losses and we had wins but we're always there for each other and that's a successful season in my eyes," Mountain Ridge player Ellie Cardiff said.
The players and coaches alike said they hope more schools in the Valley will participate in girl's flag football next year.
"We have so much heart for this program, we have such a tight bond and I think that's what has kept us together this whole year," Mountain Ridge player Emma Johnson said. "Even when we had a losing record, we still came together and kept going and we have heart for this program."
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