Amador Valley High School Flag Football Girls Season Preview

As a seasoned coach with 30 years of experience, Coach Phillip Peacock is determined to improve the record of the team at Amador Valley High School this season. With a record of 3 wins and 0 losses so far, it seems like his coaching methods have certainly paid off. However, Coach Peacock is quick to acknowledge that last season's poor record was largely due to his coaching techniques, which he admits were more tailored towards the boys' football teams. To rectify this, Coach Peacock and his team of coaches spent 10 weeks in the spring analyzing the successes and failures of the team and came up with team norms for the new season. This involved giving the players more control and letting them lead discussions and make decisions on how they wanted to shape the team and its atmosphere. This collaborative effort has created a community of positivity and sisterhood among the players, which Coach Peacock believes has been the key to their early success. However, he also acknowledges that the real challenge will be to maintain this positivity and camaraderie in the face of adversity throughout the season. Coach Peacock also highlights the improvement in the team's skills, particularly in catching the football. This was a focus during their summer training sessions, which also included conditioning, strength training, and film study. Additionally, the team participated in team bonding events such as bowling, healthy food outings, otter pop day, and movie nights. These events have not only strengthened team chemistry but have also helped in building trust and developing the mental aspect of the game. When asked about the top returning players from last season, Coach Peacock identifies four players who he believes will make a significant impact on the team's performance this season. Maddie Smith, a senior, was 1st team all EBAL linebacker last year and led the league in flag pulls. She has already scored 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in just 2 games this season. Ashley Mantha, also a senior, was 2nd team all EBAL linebacker last year and specializes in sacks, with 15 sacks and 5 tackles for loss in the last season. Junior Georgia Brown, who was injured all of last year, has made a strong comeback after recovering from a torn ACL and is now a 2-way starter, playing both center and linebacker. Lastly, sophomore Riley Harrington, who plays quarterback and defense, has also shown great leadership skills despite her young age.