Laguna Hills High School Flag Football Girls Season Preview

The Laguna Hills High School flag football team is gearing up for an exciting season, led by head coach Patrick Pollock. With a strong emphasis on fundamentals and team unity, the Hawks are looking to make major strides on the field this year. One of the team's biggest strengths this season is its returning players. Seniors Ellie Richards, Tessa Pollock, and Sami Bones-Lopez possess tremendous speed and great hands, making them a threat on the offensive end. Brynn Gonzales, the team's center, is a rock on the offensive line. On the defensive side, anchors Emmerson Coulston and Gio Ayala have great speed and agility, allowing them to make plays all over the field. Juniors Abbey Kimmel, Sophia Franke, and Lena Goodman, and seniors Juliana Korenegay and Bella Gonzales, will also play crucial roles in stopping the ball. Coach Pollock also has high hopes for some new players who will make an immediate impact on the team. Junior Makayla Guzman is known for her speed and will serve as a backup quarterback, while sophomores Kassidy Patterson and Rebecca Davis will bring athleticism and strong skills to the field. Maddie Tezlaft and Kate Cruikshank, both juniors, will be valuable additions to the team on both sides of the ball. But it's not just about individual talent for the Hawks. Coach Pollock stresses the importance of team chemistry and camaraderie within the program. He has implemented a mentorship program where experienced players are paired with new players to help them adjust to the high school level and get to know their teammates on a personal level. This trust-building exercise creates a strong bond among the players and allows them to feel supported by their teammates on and off the field. In order to cultivate a positive team dynamic, Coach Pollock has a unique method of selecting team captains. The team has three sets of captains: team captains, offensive captains, and defensive captains. The team captains, who are senior multi-sport athletes with high GPAs, are responsible for the entire program. Meanwhile, the offensive and defensive captains, who are non-seniors, are solely responsible for their respective sides of the ball. By delegating leadership roles within the team, Coach Pollock hopes to create a player-led team that will consistently outperform a coach-led team.