By Kyle LoJacono
Gaither flag football has been a constant in the playoffs.
The Cowboys have made the postseason every year since Hillsborough County adopted flag football as a sanctioned sport in 2007, including a district championship in 2009. Last year it came down to the last regular season district game, but Gaither extended that streak despite finishing 4-5.
Much of the problem in 2011 was simply numbers. The Cowboys had fewer girls try out than in past years, losing several expected returners due to injury, kids moving out of its school boundaries or some deciding to focus on other sports.
The problem is no more as 90 kids showed up for the preseason meeting and about 40 came to the first day of tryouts on Feb. 20.
“With so many more players coming out there’s a lot of competition,” said Bill Agatheas, the only coach in program history. “It’s wide open at every position.”
Agatheas added Trevor Scott as an assistant this year to go along with Charles Lattimore, who coaches the junior varsity team.
“Having Trevor is going to help a lot,” Agatheas said. “Coach Lattimore had a lot of irons in the fire because he’s also the wide receivers coach for the football team and the assistant business manager, so a lot of the time I was on my own coaching. I think we’re a good team because I’m the old man and he’s the young guy.”
Scott is also Gaither’s girls soccer coach, and many of his players tried out for flag football this season.
“Trevor has convinced them you can play club soccer and play flag football too,” Agatheas said. “That’s always been the battle.”
One of the new recruits from soccer is junior Angela Anderson. She participated in Gaither’s powderpuff flag football game last year. The annual contest allows girls to play on the gridiron while football players become cheerleaders.
“It was a lot of fun, so I thought why not try flag football,” Anderson said.
Anderson plays defense in soccer, but will likely be a receiver in flag football.
“I’m just hoping to have fun and for us to improve as the year goes on,” Anderson said. “I heard they were pretty good last year.”
Agatheas said he will rely on returners like junior Krista Rodriquez to help teach those new to the sport.
Rodriquez used to play soccer and run track, but now focuses on flag football. She played every position but safety on defense a year ago while contributing at wide receiver/running back.
Rodriquez, who started playing flag football at Steinbrenner as a freshman, is excited to see more kids developing a passion for the game.
“I think there’s a lot of talent out here,” Rodriquez said. “I think we have the potential to be really good if we focus. … Having more people is influencing the team in a positive way. I’m really excited for the season.”
The Cowboys will have to replace key graduates in Ayanna Fullwood and Dobra Hollins, who were major parts of the offense and defense the last few years.
Fullwood recorded five interceptions and 16 flag pulls as a linebacker, plus 27 catches and 388 yards rushing. Her nine touchdowns were the only scores for the team in 2010.
“They used to have two people cover Ayanna every game, which makes it easier for everyone,” Agatheas said. “Dobra was also big for us. Losing them hurts, but overall I think the talent is better. We’ve got some speed, we’ve got some height and we’ve got some kids who can actually catch the ball.”
Gaither plays in District 16, which includes some of the toughest area programs.
Freedom has made playoffs each year since Hillsborough adopted flag football, winning two district titles. Alonso, this year’s district tournament host, has been the state runner-up the last two years. Other district opponents include Wharton, Steinbrenner, Sickles and Leto.
Rodriquez knows she needs to take her game to another level to replace Fullwood and Hollins and contend in District 16.
“They had a lot of leadership skills and everyone looked up to them,” Rodriquez said. “They were really important, but I think we can continue to win with what we have.”
The Cowboys open the regular season by hosting Jefferson on Tuesday, March 20 before traveling to Sickles on Thursday, March 22. Both games start at 7:30 p.m.
