By Tamas Mondovics
Whether or not the Bloomingdale High School Flag Football program with second-year coach, Michael Lankford, at the helm is ready for the new season, is hardly a question.
However, with relative success in recent years, including last spring’s 6-3 regular season record and district loss to Newsome, the Bulls remained in the shadow of the East Bay Indians, under head coach Michael Cooper and former senior QB Stephanie Williams, who is no longer a threat to the league.
“That was last year,” Lankford said during tryouts for the program’s JV and varsity teams. “There are a number of key changes on the table this year and we are sporting several great players who will add to a season success.”
Though the program has room to grow, Lankford referred to the more than 40 student-athletes that came out to strut their flag football skills in hopes of making the cut for the season’s roster.
“We will have to turn a few players away, but we have some great players to choose from,” he said. “We feel really great about this year and like our chances at districts.”
Bloomingdale will face off league rivals Newsome, East Bay, Lennard, Spoto and Riverview.
Lankford readily mentioned a couple of players that he believes stand out on the varsity roster including Bulls talented senior QB and strong team-leader, Elaine Owens, joined by seniors Carmen Clark, Jessica Calderini, Ayana Ariola, as well as sophomore Olivia Harris just to name a few.
Freshman Sarah Tam also stepped up to the play to show off her QB skills with a few great passes and some speed, during tryouts.
Owens did not hesitate to say what she believed to be the reason for success when she confidently said, “I am ready and I know the team will be also. It take s a lot of dedication, heart and practice, but we can do it this year.”
The Bulls season opener is scheduled for Tuesday, March 19, against Hillsborough High and a game against East Bay for Monday, April, 8.
For more information about the Bulls and the flag football season please visit www.c2cschools.com.
