Peyton Tanghe is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover ALA-Gilbert North for AZPreps365.com

GILBERT — ALA-Gilbert North gears up to play Crimson in its inaugural season.

Flag football is growing rapidly among high schools across the United States, and ALA-Gilbert North is one of the latest programs to join the movement. 

Arizona officially implemented girls flag football as a high school sport in fall 2023, and while many teams have had time to grow and build chemistry, the Patriots are taking the field with a whole new team. 

Despite being a new team, players are already establishing bonds on and off the field. Team captain Gwen Scheurn said that those relationships have made the transition a little bit smoother. 

“We already know each other so well, it’s a little bit easier than it would be for other teams,” Scheurn said.

Crismon High School is entering its third season as an official team, giving its players the opportunity to build chemistry and gain on-field experience over time.  

The much-anticipated matchup will showcase how far both teams have come. 

The Eagles have made a point to practice consistently and work hard to compete with more experienced teams. India Dean emphasized the team's dedication. 

“We have been working two to four days every week since January and have definitely been working really hard for this,” Dean said.

The team is focused on working hard to compete this season, but they are also finding fun in the process. Head coach Clay Westmoreland emphasized the importance of the balance of both effort and enjoyment. 

“I really believe that working hard and having fun can coexist at the same time,” he said. 

Westmoreland added that facing experienced teams like Crismon gives his players the opportunity to showcase how far they’ve come. 

“It’s a relief for the girls to be able to finally prove to themselves that all the hard work has paid off and they can do this now,” he said.

Heading into this season, the team is filled with both anticipation and a sense of accomplishment. They are not only thrilled to be able to compete in official games, but are also excited to play established programs like Crismon and showcase how far they have come.

The atmosphere surrounding the upcoming matchup is electric. ALA-Gilbert North is eager to test itself by playing experienced teams.

Eagles Athletic Director Matt Coleman said that playing schools like Crimson sets a clear benchmark. 

“That’s a strong team, and that’s where we eventually want to be,” he said.

This season is monumental for these athletes and sets the tone for future seasons to come. They want to go out and have fun, and really learn from the experienced teams they will play like Crismon.

Both the coaches and players are eager to compete against experienced teams like Crismon. The highly anticipated game is a chance to showcase the girls’ skills and prove that their hard work in preseason has paid off.