By Tamas Mondovics
After three consecutive district titles, and a 13-14 loss to local rival East Bay, the Bloomingdale Girls Flag Football team led by program head coach Michael Lankford had to settle for second place, which has affectively halted the girl’s chance to advance to this year’s regional’s in hopes of a state appearance.
The last time the two teams met was in 2015, when the much stronger Bulls had the upper hand and defeated the Indians 27-6 to win their second district tile in a row.
The Lady Bull’s winning streak continued in 2016 with a powerful 20-7 victory over the Plant City Raiders to claim the 2A District 6 championship victory; the program’s third in as many years.
This season, however, was undoubtedly and rightfully East Bay’s’ as the well-balanced and talented team led by head coach Michael Cooper reclaimed the coveted trophy with a perfect 7-0 district record.
Coming down to a final shootout, the game hosted by East Bay could have gone either way and was as good and as exciting as high school sports can get.
When it was over, East Bay did not only play its ninth district championship game, but won its sixth district title, and posted its 100th win, in 11 years.
“I have enjoyed coaching many talented players in the past and we had great teams, but as I said at the beginning of the season, this is by far the best team that we have ever had,” Cooper said.
“They deserve it. They have worked hard and kept the right attitude all for the love of the game.”
While the Lady Bulls must now wait until next year for a rematch, the Indians—with nothing to lose—advanced to the post season with a shot at the state title.
For information about girl’s flag football, visit www.fhsaa.org.
