By Jeremy McDonald
Jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com
SALEM, Ore.– The Amity Girls Flag Football team just continues their dominance to start this season.
Three games in, three victories. Two of those three resulted in shutout victories, including Tuesday’s 53-0 victory over North Salem at North Salem High School. The Warriors used their energy, and their speed, to jump out to a 40-0 halftime lead on the Vikings to start the game.
And for a squad in its inaugural season, they looked as if they’ve been doing this for a while longer than a month.
“Just the energy…it was great having all the energy. We’re just very energetic,” said Haley Miersma.
These last three games, against McNary and Tualatin entering Tuesday’s away game, it’s been a good opportunity for Amity to find their footing in the sport. And it’s hopefully going to come in handy next Tuesday when the Warriors welcome Girls Flag Football juggernaut South Salem on April 14.
“Just being able to get into the actual sport. We were nervous for our first game (against McNary), the second game (against Tualatin), it was a little bit harder. But after we scored one touchdown, we just took over the game and this game, it’s just getting into what this game is. You can’t just run and throw the ball, there’s technique to it, there’s logic to it. Just being able to get into the groove,” said Miersma, who’s Amity’s Quarterback.
Getting into the rhythm of the game has been a key focus for North Salem this season as well.
About 60 players turned out for the team, creating a strong sense of camaraderie and support, Vikings head coach Caleb Singleton said. That unity paid off last Thursday, when the squad secured the first victory in program history with a 19–14 win over Wells.
It’s also been baby steps in terms of development within the program as well. And there was some progress in the second half as North Salem held Amity to 13 points and is something that they can continue to improve on going into Friday’s against St. Mary’s of Portland.
“When we talked about Girls Flag Football, they didn’t know very much, so they’ve been sponges with understanding the game itself, understanding plays and really performing on the field. Defense, tactic skills, all of it. To do that all in one month, it’s going to take baby steps,” Singleton said. “We got our first win last week and just to see the enjoyment and the excitement of the girls. It was a really cool experience last week. The girls really bought in and they realized that it’s the first-ever win for Girls Flag Football in school history and it means a lot to them.
“We knew Amity was going to be tough. The pace in which the game is played, we’re still trying to figure out. gather our barring on. Structurally, I think we have a good group and they’re a lot of fun to be around.”
KIckoff against St. Mary’s is slated for 8pm. Amity’s game with South Salem is at 7pm
Photos By Jeremy McDonald
