Mount Carmel Saints' girls tag football team took part in their first game day for the Greater Manchester Girls' Flag Football League.
It is the first league of it's kind anywhere outside London, and was launched in partnership with the NFL's Chicago Bears in front of national and international media. The day featured guests such as Sky Sports pundit and European Champion Phoebe Schecter, Head Coach of Team GB Youth Kenny Bello, European Gold Medallist Amy Wells, and representing the Bears was Superbowl winner Shaun Gayle. The girls were representing not just Mount Carmel but Hyndburn and East Lancs as a whole, with Hyndburn Academy lending two players to the cause and Burnley Tornados coach Nick Olerenshaw supporting on the day.
The girls played two games, first a physical contest against Oasis Academy Oldham where two defensive starters had to be subbed out due to injury, allowing Oasis to score two touchdowns, but Saints QB Mia P. delivered a perfect long ball to WR Maddison B. for one score, and a clever play left RB Lexie W. wide open in the endzone for Mia to connect with for a second. A successful extra point throw to Lily D. gave the Saints a narrow 13-12 victory, as a final drive saw Lily tackled just short of adding an extra touchdown for insurance when time ran out.
In the second game against Moorside Salford, Defensive Coordinator Mr Robinson had a full strength team at his disposal and held Moorside scoreless, with Defensive captain Faye A. making two interceptions at Safety, CB Gabriella B. adding a third, and fellow defenders Olivia G. and Izzy O. shutting the Moorside offence down completely with some fantastic tackling. With an empty scoreboard to play with, Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Mr Barratt and his offence went to work, putting up four unanswered Touchdowns. Mia was dialed in, delivering Touchdown passes to Lexie, Maddie and Lily, and the dual threat of Lexie and Maddie running the ball was too much for Moorside's defenders to handle, with Maddie running in a second touchdown to cap off a dominating 25-0 victory.
Most Valuable Players
Mia P. (QB) - 16 passes complete, 5 passing touchdowns
Lexie W. (RB) - 10 carries, 4 receptions, 2 receiving touchdowns
Maddison B. (WR/RB) - 8 receptions, 2 receiving touchdowns, 7 carries, 1 rushing touchdown, 2 tackles
Olivia G. (CB) - 11 tackles
Faye A.n (S) - 5 tackles, 2 interceptions
Squad
QB Mia P. (offensive captain)
RB Lexie W.
WR/RB Maddison B.
WR Lily D.
C Pia C.
LB Gabriella B.
PR Izzy O.
CB Olivia G.
CB Grace D.
S Abbie N.
S Faye A. (defensive captain)
