Cheers and words of encouragement are constantly being heard from the Bishop Gorman flag football team. Under the lights, they are able to exemplify their strong bond, not only on the field, but also on the sidelines between plays and whistles.
The screaming of plays, the smell of turf, and the sharp whistles, creates a serious and competitive atmosphere. Times like these are where you need motivation the most. Sienna Gostanian ‘27 explained that, “In the beginning of the game, everything is fun and exciting; as the game progresses, the mood becomes more tense and stressful. However, these are the moments where teammates rely on each other the most.” Having this encouragement from your own teammates and coaches provides boosted morale and sends a message to the other team as well.
The conversations from the start to the end of the game differ in how they motivate the players. Beckett Bohn ‘27 clarified that, “At the beginning of the game, the conversations are very uplifting, supportive, and performance focused; whereas, at the end of the game it’s much more reflective. They are based on the efforts that were put out in the game and how we can improve in the future.” Each player has an important active role and are able to affect the outcome of the game, even if they’re not on the field.
The enthusiasm and inspiration that each player receives is further translated into the performance of the whole team. Jayden (JJ) Kimenker ‘27 explained that, “When I am in the game, the cheers really help motivate me to play better, work harder, and just be better overall for my team.” Similarly, Gostanian communicated that, “Plays go wrong every game; for me it is finding out from players or coaches why it did not work out and moving. If one does dwell on their mistakes, our team does a great job bringing that person up.”
This energy isn’t just displayed by the players. While the coaches typically keep their conversations more technical, they are also able to uplift the team by keeping the expectations high while also understanding how each player reacts to a specific play.
After each game, practice, or meeting, head coach, Brandon Pappillion, tells the girls, “Remember if we do anything it’s always as a family”. This statement is seen at its fullest potential with the unspoken chemistry that comes out every game.
